Unable to access Secure Folder on Galaxy phone or tablet

If you are having trouble using Secure Folder on your Galaxy phone or tablet, you can review our guide for assistance. For example, a forgotten PIN, pattern, or password can be reset if you have previously enabled the “Reset with Samsung account” option. Or, if you cannot access apps in Secure Folder, you can uninstall and then reinstall them.

Hand holding a Galaxy S24 Ultra while pointing at the Secure Folder app

Unable to access Secure Folder on Galaxy phone or tablet

What issue are you having with Secure Folder?

Cannot unlock Secure Folder

Apps in Secure Folder do not run normally or crash

Cannot find Secure folder

Cannot unlock Secure Folder

Try opening Secure Folder.

Navigate to and open Secure Folder, and then enter what you think is your PIN, pattern, or password.

Important

If you did not activate the “Reset with Samsung account” option when you set your security method, the Forgot prompt will not appear and you will not be able to recover access to your Secure Folder.

Reset your PIN, pattern, or password.

If the PIN, pattern, or password you entered is incorrect, tap Forgot on the prompt. Then, tap Reset on the pop-up, and sign in to your Samsung account.

Select new credentials.

You will be prompted to select another PIN, pattern, password, or registered fingerprint. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your new security credentials.

List of security methods on a Galaxy phone

Open Secure Folder.

Using your new credentials, open Secure Folder.

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Apps in Secure Folder do not run normally or crash

Uninstall the app.

Navigate to and open Secure Folder, and enter your credentials if prompted. Find the app that is not working properly, and then touch and hold its icon. Tap Uninstall, and then tap OK to confirm.

Install the app using the Play Store.

Navigate to and open the Play Store, and then search for and select the app. Tap Install to download the app.

Add the app to your Secure Folder.

Add icon highlighted in the Secure Folder

Navigate to and open Secure Folder again, and enter your credentials if prompted. Tap Add (the plus sign), and then select the app. Tap Add.

Try opening the app.

From Secure Folder, try opening the app. If it opens and runs properly, then the issue has been resolved.

If you are still having trouble opening and running the app, we suggest contacting the app’s developer. An update may be required to improve the app’s compatibility with Secure Folder.

Cannot find Secure folder

Note

Backing up your data is no longer supported for Secure Folder. However, you can restore data from your Samsung account from previous backups. Alternatively, if you have another phone with Secure Folder installed, you can use Smart Switch to transfer your data.

Open the Quick settings panel.

Using two fingers, swipe down from the top of your device’s screen to open the Quick settings panel.

Open Secure Folder.

Tap the Secure Folder icon to open Secure Folder.

If the icon is not in the Quick settings panel, you can add it. Tap Edit (the pencil icon) at the top of the screen, then tap Edit under Full, and then tap the Secure Folder icon at the bottom of the screen. Tap Done.

Galaxy phone's quick settings menu displaying various icons such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Dex. The 'Secure Folder' icon is highlighted with a blue circle, located among other options like 'Scan QR code' and 'Interpreter'.

Note

If the Secure Folder option is grayed out, then the Secure Folder has been hidden from the Apps screen and the Edge panel. Verify if you have uninstalled Secure Folder and moved the files out of the folder. Navigate to and open My Files, then tap Internal storage, and then tap Download. Tap Secure Folder.

Open Security and privacy.

Alternatively, you can navigate to and open Settings, and then tap Security and privacy.

Open Secure Folder.

Tap More security settings, and then tap Secure Folder.

You will be prompted to enter your credentials. If desired, you can tap the switch next to Add Secure Folder to Apps screen to add the icon to the Apps screen.

Galaxy phone screen showing the 'More security settings' menu with the option 'Secure Folder' highlighted. Other options listed include 'Secure Wi-Fi', 'Enhanced data protection', and 'Samsung Pass' with a description of using biometric authentication for secure identity verification.