How To Use Private Mode On Galaxy S9 And Galaxy S9 Plus

If you like your privacy when using your smartphone, you may be familiar with Samsung’s Private Mode. This Private Mode didn’t require the use of third party apps; it was native to the device. The feature allowed you to hide your files, photos, or videos from other people when Private Mode was activated. Private Mode has been discontinued on the Galaxy series, unfortunately, but don’t panic yet. Luckily, there’s a ready replacement for you to switch to, and you don’t need to install any dodgy third party apps. It’s still native to the phone and it’s got all the same features, but Samsung now calls this feature Secure Folder. Rather self-descriptive, really.

Before this feature was released, some people would have deleted their pictures or videos to prevent others from seeing the content of their phone. A drastic step, if you ask us, but with Secure Folder no one needs to do that anymore. Now you can lock them safely away in…well, a secure folder. You can activate the folder’s lock so that even when you’re logged into your phone, you can’t access the files without a password. This keeps the device very secure.

To set up Secure Folder on the Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus, follow the guide below.

Enabling the Secure Folder (Private Mode) on your Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus

1. With two fingers, swipe down from the top of your screen to receive a list of options.
2. One of the options on the list will be Secure Folder: tap it.
3. If this is your first time using this Private Mode analogue, you will get a quick tutorial. You’ll also need to sign into your Samsung account. Whilst you are in the tutorial you will setup an unlock method:
   • Pin
   • Pattern
   • Thumbprint
   • Iris scan

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

1. With two fingers, swipe down from the top of your screen to receive a list of options.
2. One of the options on the list will be Security Folder: tap it.
3. This will disable Secure Folder on your device.

Adding and removing specific files from the Secure Folder on your Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus.

In Secure Folder, you will have a variety of supported media types for photos or videos. To add files that are supported to Secure Folder, follow the steps below:

1. Have Secure folder turned on; use the steps above if it is not.
2. Go to Secure Folder so you can make media hidden.
3. In the upper right of your screen, choose the overflow menu button and choose the file(s) you want to hide.
4. Now tap the option – Mode to private.

This guide will help you easily set up Secure Folder. You should also be able to add files to certain private folders or albums in Secure Folder, and not have to worry about a privacy slip even without Private Mode. Best of all, you don’t need to delete your files to keep people from seeing them; you can just hide them away.