How to Add or Remove Apps From Secure Folder on Samsung Phones

Quick Tips

• Add Apps to Secure Folder: Open the Secure Folder > Tap Add Apps > select the apps > Tap Add.
• Remove Apps from Secure Folder: Open the Secure Folder > Long-press the app > Tap Uninstall.

How to Add Apps to Secure Folder

Step 1: Open Secure Folder on your phone.

Tip: You can check our guide to open Secure Folder.

Step 2: Then, enter the Secure Folder passcode or PIN to log in.

Step 3: Tap the (+) Add icon at the top.

Step 4: Now, add existing apps to Secure Folder or install new ones from the Google Play Store or Galaxy Store.

Step 5: If you want to put existing apps in the Secure Folder, tap on the app icons from the list and press the Add button.

The app will show up in the Secure Folder.

Alternatively, if you want to download new apps, tap Download from Play Store or Download from Galaxy Store. You will have to sign in again to your Google or Samsung account. Then, search for the app and press the Install button.

Once installed, the app will only show in the Secure Folder and not outside it, as it has been installed from the Secure Folder itself.

What Happens When You Move App to Secure Folder

• Original App: When you add an app already installed on your phone to the Secure Folder, a second copy of the app will be created within the Secure Folder. This app is entirely different and independent of the old app. You can keep both copies or uninstall the original app from the home screen after moving it to the Secure Folder.
• App Data: The data of the original app will not be moved to the Secure Folder. You must log in and set up the app again in Secure Folder from scratch. Each app will have its own separate login details.
• App Notifications: By default, you will not receive notifications from the apps you add to the Secure Folder when outside the Secure Folder. But you can change the behavior by opening Secure Folder Settings > Notifications and data > toggle on Show content.
• App Settings: After moving an app to the Secure Folder, you can access its settings, like permissions, notifications, etc., from the Secure Folder only.

Tip: Know what happens when you clear the data of an Android app.

How to Remove Apps From Secure Folder and Move to Home Screen

Suppose you moved an app to the Secure Folder and deleted the original app from the home screen. Now, if you want to move the app from Secure Folder to the home screen, you cannot.

You must install the app again on the home screen using the Play Store. Once you do so, you can keep or uninstall the app in Secure Folder.

How to Uninstall Apps From a Secure Folder

Step 1: Open the Secure Folder on your Samsung Galaxy phone.

Step 2: Then, long-press on the app icon you want to remove from the Secure Folder. Select Uninstall.

Step 3: A confirmation pop-up will show up. Finally, tap OK to remove the app.

Note: The pre-installed Samsung apps, like Gallery, Camera, etc., cannot be removed from Secure Folder.

What Happens When You Remove Apps from Secure Folder

When you uninstall an app from Secure Folder, all of its data will get deleted, like a regular app. The app will be removed from the Secure Folder. You must add it again in the Secure Folder to use it.

However, nothing will happen to the original app or its data. That is, it will not be uninstalled from the home screen.

Tip: Learn how to transfer Samsung Secure Folder to a new phone.

FAQs on Adding or Removing Secure Folder Apps

That’s how you can add or remove apps from Secure Folder. To keep things private, learn to hide photos and videos on Samsung Galaxy phones. Also, check out different ways to hide chats on WhatsApp.