If there's an image on your Android device that you don't want others to see, there are several ways you can hide it. There are various applications that work to hide and manage hidden pictures. You can also create your own hidden directory, or you can create an encrypted ZIP archive if you're worried that the images will fall into the wrong hands.
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Method 1 of 3: Using File Locker Apps
Step 1. For file lock app
There are many file locking apps available on the Play Store. File locker app allows you to lock images within the app so that they cannot be accessed without a password. Explore the app market and read reviews given by other users to find the right app for you. Here are some popular file locking apps:
- KeepSafe
- Hide It Pro
- Gallery Lock
- PhotoVault
- Vaulty
Step 2. Create a PIN
After installing the app for the first time, you will be asked to create a PIN. The PIN will be used to access the locked files.
You can set a restore email address just in case you forget the PIN you created
Step 3. Add the image into the file locker app
Once the app is installed, you can start adding images to it. Open the image you want to hide, then press the Share button. Select a file lock application from the list of available applications. In this way, the image will be inserted into the file lock application.
- Repeat the above steps until all the images you want to hide have been added to the app.
- Depending on the application you are using, you may be able to browse through the list of files and select the files you want to hide using a file locker application, without clicking the Share button.
Method 2 of 3: Creating a Hidden Directory
Step 1. Download a file manager app
Android will automatically hide directories that have a certain format, but you'll need a file manager app to be able to create directories and move files into them. Some devices may come preinstalled with a file manager app directly, or you can download similar apps from the Google Play Store for free. Here are some popular file manager apps:
- ES File Explorer
- File Manager
- ASTRO File Manager
Step 2. Go to the directory where the image you want to hide
To be on the safe side, use a directory that has nothing to do with the image, such as the application directory.
Step 3. Create a new directory
The process required to create a new directory will depend on the file manager program you are using. You may have to press and hold the screen for the menu to appear, or there may be a "New" button displayed on the screen.
Step 4. Insert a period at the beginning of the directory name
A dot (.) indicates that the directory is hidden. By default, directories with a dot at the beginning of their name will not appear when you browse the directory, nor will they be selected when Gallery and other media programs scan files.
Step 5. Enable the option to view hidden files
There is a high chance that the file manager program you are using will not show hidden files. When you want to put an image in a hidden directory, you have to enable the option to view hidden files first. You can turn it off again when you're done.
The process for viewing hidden files is slightly different in each file manager program. but generally you can find the option to do so in the Settings menu of each program
Step 6. Open a new directory and create a new file
You can do this using the menu you previously used to create a new directory. Give the file a.nomedia name. This way, the contents in the directory will not be read by the media file scanner.
Step 7. Move the images you want to hide into the new directory
Open the directory that holds the images you want to hide. Press and hold an image, then tap the other images you want to select.
- Select "Move" or "Cut" from the menu.
- Go back to the hidden directory you just created.
- Select "Move" or "Paste" from the menu. The image of your choice will be moved to a new directory.
Step 8. Hide the files after you move them
Open the Settings menu in the file manager program, then re-enable the option to hide files. Hidden directories will be lost.
Step 9. Add images into the folder
Whenever you have an image that you want to hide, move the image into the new directory you hid in the previous step. You can uninstall file manager programs when you're not using them to make your phone look less suspicious.
Method 3 of 3: Creating a Password Protected ZIP File
Step 1. Download a program that can create a password-protected ZIP file
If you really want to keep the pictures out of the reach of others, you can put the pictures in a password protected archive file. To do this, you'll need an application that can create these archive files. Here are some well-known applications:
- ZArchiver
- ArchiDroid
Step 2. Open the archive file generator application
This guide uses the ZArchiver app, although the actual process for doing so is similar to other apps.
Step 3. Tap the "New" button
The button can be found at the bottom of the screen, and it appears as a "+".
Step 4. Select "New archive"
The option will open a new window with the archive settings in it.
Step 5. Add a period to the beginning of the archive file name
For increased security, you can hide the new archive file by adding a period (.) to the beginning of the file name.
Step 6. Set a password
When you create a new archive file, you can set a password. Create a password that's easy to remember, but impossible for others to guess. Select "Data and filenames" from the Encryption drop-down menu. Tap "OK" when you are done.
Step 7. Select the files you want to archive
You can add individual files or entire directories to the archive. Select all the files you want to hide.
Step 8. Save the new archive
Once you have finished selecting files, save the new archive file. In order to access the files in the archive or see only the names of the files in the archive, one must enter the correct password.
