What you need to know
Samsung is set to enhance the privacy features of its Galaxy phones by introducing a built-in Private Album within the Gallery app as part of the upcoming One UI 8.5 update. This innovative feature aims to streamline the process of managing sensitive photos, addressing a common user concern.
Previously, users seeking to keep their photos private faced the cumbersome task of relocating images to the Secure Folder, a space primarily designed for safeguarding banking apps and important documents. This method, while secure, often felt excessive for merely hiding a few pictures. Users had to navigate through multiple steps—unlocking a separate area, transferring files, and then moving them back for editing or sharing.
With the new Private Album feature, users will find a more intuitive approach reminiscent of Google Photos’ Locked Folder. Instead of dealing with separate partitions, users can now simply open an image or video, tap the “More” menu, and select “Move to private album.” This allows for the easy selection of multiple items, making the process both efficient and user-friendly.
Accessing these hidden files is straightforward; users can navigate to the Gallery’s menu and tap on “Private Album.” This section is secured by either a fingerprint or screen lock, ensuring that personal images remain confidential, even when sharing the device with friends. Additionally, Samsung has taken extra precautions by disabling screenshots within this album, further enhancing privacy.
It’s important to note that this feature is currently in beta and remains somewhat basic. For instance, users can only sort files by date, with no option to rearrange them. The functionalities are also limited to sharing, deleting, or moving files back to the main gallery.
As this feature is still in the One UI 8.5 beta phase, users may need to wait for the official rollout to experience it fully on their devices. Nevertheless, the introduction of the Private Album marks a significant step for Samsung Gallery, positioning it to better compete with the usability of Google Photos.
