How to Hide Photos on Android

Your pictures are important. So is your reputation. Sometimes the reputation you want people to see and the photos saved in your phone don’t quite go hand in hand, which is why you need to learn how to hide photos on your Android phone.

Need more persuading? Humor me by imagining the following:

You’re at a family birthday party. Your phone is stealthily maneuvered out of your pocket by your 3 year old niece, who, with her nimble hands and modern toddler mind, is more adept at navigating technology than you are. Oh crap. You wish you’d deleted those special photos you take a peek at “once in a while.” But it’s too late. Her mind — and your reputation — are corrupted forever.

photo credit: huffingtonpost.com

Before this horrifying scenario unfolds in reality, learn how to hide photos on your Android, STAT. From do-it-yourself steps to smartphone apps, here are simple ways to hide pictures on Android phones.

Get an App to Hide the Photos

photo credit: play.google.com

First things first — if you want an app to do everything for you, there are many options to choose from for top security. Built-in passcodes, “stealth modes,” and multiple “vaults” are some of the ways these apps can help you to secure your photos and documents from prying eyes. The following steps in this article aren’t labor intensive, but for those of you who want an app to be able to take care of everything, here are bunches of app options, most of which are Android-compatible. If you want to learn how to do it yourself, though, read on.

Hide Your Photos in a Hidden Folder

photo credit: ubergizmo.com

1. Download a file explorer, such as ES File Explorer, File Expert, or OI File Manager.
2. Open the file explorer.
3. Add a new folder which starts with a period (.) followed by a name, like “.hidden data”.
4. Move your photos into this folder.

These pictures will no longer show up in your main photo gallery — they’ll only be accessible from this hidden folder. They aren’t protected by a password, but in an ideal world, only you know how to get to them.

Hide the Hidden Folder from the File Explorer

photo credit: ubergizmo.com

To hide the folder even further within the file explorer, follow these steps (this is specifically forES File Explorer):

1. Tap on the main menu in the upper left corner.
2. Tap “Settings” at the bottom.
3. In “Settings,” tap “Display settings.”
4. Uncheck “Show hidden files.”

Now these photos will be hidden within the file manager as well, and in order to see them you will have to uncheck the “Show hidden files” box.

The one glaring problem with any of the above steps is that anyone who knows how to follow these steps can find your photos. Hopefully your 3 year old niece isn’t that insanely awesome, but if you’re worried about needing even more security, say, when you’re showing your mom pictures of your new apartment and you don’t want any sneaky ones to get in there, you’ll need to password protect your pictures. Read on.

Password Protect Photos

If you can’t take the risk of just hiding your photos in a hidden folder, you can password protect them, but you have to use third-party tools. The best option is the free app, Vaulty. 

photo credit: ubergizmo.com

1. Download Vaulty.
2. Launch the app.
3. When prompted, enter the password or PIN you want to use to open the app.
4. Click on “Hide Pictures & Videos.”
5. Tap each photo you want to hide/lock.
6. Tap “Pad lock” when you are done.
7. To access the file again, open the application.
8. Provide the required password or PIN.
9. Voila! Here are your secret photos, all in one place.

photo credit: ubergizmo.com

Keep Reputation Intact

And there you go, now you can parade those vacation photos around to anyone on the street. I really hope you do, because your other pictures are safe, sound, and out of the way.

Have any other ideas on how to hide pictures on Android phones? Tell us below in the comments!