Samsung Galaxy S9: How To Use Private Mode

Longtime Galaxy S users who have recently upgraded to the S9 or S9 may be wondering where to find private mode. The important thing to know is that Samsung has changed it terminology. There’s no longer a ‘Private Mode’ but instead there’s a Secure Folder that can be activated. It basically has the same functionality with some slight tweaks. This is the feature you’ll want to use to hide your file, photos and videos from others.
The Secure Folder, once activated and locked, can only be accessed by the security method that you choose. In addition to the standard pattern and PIN locks, the S9 has two advanced biometric security features. You can set it up to only unlock with your fingerprint or an iris scan. To learn more about setting this up, read our instructions below.

Enabling Secure Folder (formerly “Private Mode”) on Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus

Open your notification bar by swiping down from the top of the screen
Access your quick options by swiping down again from the top of the screen
The Secure Folder should be on this list of quick options
If you don’t see it, try swiping to the left to go to the next page
If you still can’t find it, tap the overflow menu (three dots, top right)
Select button order to see any items available to add
Once the icon is in your quick options, you can tap it to turn the feature on and off

Setting up Secure Folder for the First Time

When you tap on the Secure Folder option initially, you’ll be prompted to sign into your Samsung account
If you don’t have an account you’ll need to create one
Select a lock type (Pattern, Pin, Fingerprint, Iris Scan)
Once this is set up you’ll be taken to your Secure Folde
There are several Samsung apps included in the Secure Folder by default
Take a look around to see what you might likely to include
You can add apps and files from here
The Edit Apps allows you to Hide or Disable apps
You can lock down the Secure Folder from here as well
To get back to this screen later on, launch the Secure Folder app

Disabling the Secure Folder on Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus

First, navigate to the options list by using two fingers and swiping down twice
Now tap Secure Folder when you find it in the list of options
Your device is now back in normal mode and the app won’t appear

Adding and Removing files from the Secure Folder on Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus

You can have videos and photos supported when you use Secure Folder to store different medias. Below we will show you how to add supported files when using Private Mode, just follow the guide below:

Make sure Secure Folder is active
Launch the Secure Folder app from your app list
Tap Add files
Select the type of file you want to add: Images, Videos, Audio, Documents, or for other types select My Files
You see a list of files of that type
Select the ones you’d like to add to the Secure Folder and hit DONE
You can choose to either move or copy the file (moving means that it will no longer appear in the original folder)
The file is now secure. Activating the lock on your Secure Folder will hide all of the files and apps behind a password or biometric lock

You’ll now be able to use the Secure Folder on your Galaxy by following the guide above. This will then allow you to put files or photos in your private album or folder. You will only be able to watch see the content when you are in the Secure Folder.