Google is broadening the horizons of its Locked Folder feature in the Google Photos app, making it accessible not only on Android devices but on iOS and web platforms as well. This strategic move ensures a seamless transition for users shifting from an Android to an iPhone, enabling them to access their securely stored files without a hitch. The tech giant, in its official announcement, reinforced that the user files would be safeguarded within "one of the world’s most advanced security infrastructures," maintaining uniformity across all three platforms – Android, iOS, and web.
Originally, the Locked Folder was an exclusive feature for Google Photos on Android, providing users a "passcode-protected space" for their photos and videos, thus preventing them from appearing on the user’s photo grid or other apps. However, the feature’s exclusivity posed a problem for iPhone users who couldn’t hide their sensitive media, leading to their inadvertent display on connected apps. With this update, Google has rectified the issue, ensuring that your private snapshots remain concealed, irrespective of the device you use.
Google Expands Locked Folder Feature to iOS and Web
Google is broadening the horizons of its Locked Folder feature on the Google Photos app, making it accessible on iOS and web. This expansion ensures that even if you transition from an Android device to an iPhone, your confidential files remain accessible without a hitch.
A Seamless User Experience Across Platforms
There’s no discernible difference between the Android, iOS, and web versions of the Locked Folder feature. Regardless of the platform, users can store their content in a Locked Folder and back it up for accessibility across multiple devices. Google assures in its official statement that your files will be stored on "one of the world’s most advanced security infrastructures."
Originally, the Locked Folder feature was exclusive to Google Photos on Android, providing users with a "passcode-protected space" for images or videos, and ensuring they won’t appear on your "photo grid or other apps." However, the feature was not available beyond Android smartphones, leaving iPhone users unable to hide sensitive media. This expansion rectifies the issue, ensuring that any potentially embarrassing snapshots remain hidden on your iPhone.
Enhancing Privacy Controls
Along with the expansion of the Locked Folder feature, Google is also streamlining the settings page on Google Photos to facilitate the discovery and adjustment of privacy controls. The revamped menu will do away with the cluttered single-screen display and introduce individual tabs organized into broader sections for a more streamlined look. For instance, the Privacy tab will house all sharing tools, enabling users to manage access to their image folders more efficiently.
Availability and Future Updates
Watch out for the update patch when it rolls out. Google has confirmed that the new layout for the settings page is now available on Google Photos for Android and iOS. Additionally, Locked Folder support has started rolling out to iOS users.
The timeline for the introduction of the Locked Folder feature on Google Photos for web browsers remains unknown. However, the official Google Photos Help website provides instructions for setting up Locked Folders for desktop, hinting at the feature’s impending launch on browsers. More information on the final patch will be updated as we receive it.
Takeaways
The expansion of the Locked Folder feature to iOS and web is a significant move by Google, enhancing the security and privacy of its Google Photos app across platforms. It not only simplifies the user experience but also bolsters the privacy controls, making Google Photos a more robust and secure platform for storing and sharing photos. While we await more information on the web version, the update should make Google Photos a more enticing option for iPhone users.
