In 2025, privacy has become more important than ever. Whether it’s personal pictures, screenshots, documents, or videos—everyone has something on their phone they want to keep private. Luckily, Android gives multiple easy, safe, and 100% working methods to hide your photos and videos from the gallery.
This guide covers all working methods for 2025, including built-in features, Google Photos Locked Folder, File Manager techniques, app-based hiding, and advanced tricks. Everything is explained in a simple, step-by-step, beginner-friendly way.
Why Hide Photos and Videos on Android?
Many Android users prefer extra privacy for different reasons — whether they share their phone with family or friends, let kids use it for games, want to protect personal or sensitive photos and videos, or need to secure work documents and ID images. Some people simply don’t want certain media to appear in the gallery automatically. Whatever your reason may be, Android now provides safe and reliable features that help you hide and protect your media with ease.
Method 1: Use Google Photos Locked Folder (Best & Most Secure – 2025)
Google Photos has a dedicated Locked Folder protected by your fingerprint, face unlock, or screen lock. Anything you move here disappears from the gallery and file manager.
How to Use Locked Folder
To hide photos using Google Photos, start by opening the app and going to Library → Utilities, where you’ll find the Locked Folder option. If it’s your first time using it, Google Photos will ask you to set up a screen lock, such as a pattern, PIN, or fingerprint. Once the folder is ready, tap Move Photos, select the photos or videos you want to hide, and then tap Move to securely transfer them into the locked folder
Why This Is the Best Method
The Locked Folder feature is completely safe and works even without an internet connection, offering strong protection through fingerprint or PIN security. Anything you store inside it stays hidden across all apps, and the images or videos won’t sync to the cloud. However, keep in mind that Locked Folder content isn’t backed up automatically, so you’ll need to manually export any files you want to save elsewhere.
Method 2: Hide Photos Using Your Android Phone’s Built-In Secure Folder
Many Android brands now include built-in space to hide files.
Samsung – Secure Folder
To hide your media using the Secure Folder, go to Settings and tap Security and Privacy, then select Secure Folder and set up your preferred lock method. Once it’s created, open the Secure Folder, go to the Gallery, and simply add the photos or videos you want to keep hidden.
OnePlus – LockBox (Private Safe)
To hide your media using your phone’s file manager, open the File Manager app and look for options like LockBox or Private Safe. Once inside, simply add the photos or videos you want to protect, and they will be securely stored and hidden from your regular gallery.
Realme / Oppo – Private Safe
To hide your media through the Private Safe feature, go to Settings → Security and tap Private Safe. Once it’s set up, you can add any photos or videos you want to keep hidden, ensuring they stay protected and out of your main gallery.
Xiaomi / Redmi – Hidden Album
To access the Hidden Album feature, open your Gallery app and pinch two fingers outward on the screen to reveal the hidden section. After unlocking it, you can move your private photos inside. This method is completely reliable and offers strong, device-level security for your sensitive media.
Method 3: Hide Photos Using File Manager (Without Any App)
This is a simple trick that works on every Android phone.
You can create a hidden folder by adding a “dot ( . )” before the folder name.
Steps
You can also hide media by using a simple file-manager trick. Just open your File Manager, create a new folder, and name it .hidden or .secret. Move your photos or videos into this folder, and they’ll no longer appear in the gallery. To view them again later, just enable Show Hidden Files in your File Manager settings. This method is fast, works on any Android device, and doesn’t require any extra apps. However, it has no password protection, so anyone who knows this trick can still find the files.
Method 4: Hide Photos Using “.nomedia” File
If you want to hide a full folder from the gallery, use this trick.
Steps
Another effective method is using the .nomedia trick. Open your File Manager, go to the folder you want to hide, and create a new file named .nomedia. Once saved, Android automatically removes all media from that folder from appearing in the gallery. This method works perfectly for downloaded images, WhatsApp or Telegram media, screenshots, and even camera folders. It remains a 100% working trick even in 2025, making it a simple and reliable way to keep certain media out of sight.
Method 6: Use Vault Apps (If You Want Password Lock + Cloud Backup)
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Vault and privacy apps provide advanced protection by offering password-secured storage and optional cloud sync for your hidden media. Popular safe apps in 2025 include Keepsafe Photo Vault, Vaulty, Gallery Vault – Hide Photos, and AppLock Private Gallery. These apps are widely used because they offer strong password protection, encrypted folders, cloud backups, fake vaults, and even intruder-selfie features to catch anyone trying to access your private files. Just make sure to choose only trusted and reputable apps, as your privacy and data security are extremely important.
Bonus Method: Hide Photos Directly Inside the Gallery App
Many modern Android phones now come with built-in options to hide or lock photos directly within the stock gallery app. Depending on your device, you may find features like Hide Album, Locked Gallery, Private Album, Secure Album, or Secret Collection. To use it, simply open your Gallery, long-press the photos you want to hide, and tap Hide or Move to Private Album. It’s a quick and reliable method that works on most Android devices without needing any third-party apps.
Which Method Should You Use? (2025 Recommendation)
| Method | Best For | Security Level |
|---|---|---|
| Google Photos Locked Folder | Maximum security | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Secure Folder / Private Safe | Personal use with lock | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| File Manager Hidden Folder | Basic hiding | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| .nomedia Trick | Auto-hiding apps/images | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Vault Apps | Password + cloud backup | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
If you want the most secure option:
Use Google Photos Locked Folder
If you want easy, fast hiding:
Use your phone’s built-in Private Safe
Will Hidden Photos Still Appear If I Upload to Cloud or Transfer?
If your photos or videos are stored inside features like Locked Folder or Secure Folder, they won’t upload automatically to cloud services. However, if you hide them using simple methods like the File Manager or the .nomedia trick, the files may still appear when transferring folders to another device. For maximum safety and privacy, it’s always best to store sensitive media in encrypted or locked folders.
Final Thoughts
Hiding photos and videos on Android in 2025 is easier and more secure than ever. Whether you need quick privacy or strong protection, Android now offers multiple reliable methods. With built-in secure folders, Google Photos’ Locked Folder, and various privacy tools, you can safeguard your personal media in just a few taps. Simply choose the method that fits your privacy needs and enjoy a cleaner, safer, and clutter-free gallery experience.
FAQ
Can I Hide Pictures and Videos on My Android Phone?
Yes, absolutely. Android allows multiple ways to hide your private photos and videos, such as Google Photos Locked Folder, Secure Folder, Private Safe, hidden albums, and file manager tricks. These methods ensure your media stays invisible from the main gallery.
How Do I Make My Gallery Private?
You can make your gallery private by using built-in privacy tools like Samsung Secure Folder, OnePlus LockBox, Realme/Oppo Private Safe, or Xiaomi Hidden Album. These options lock your gallery or selected albums with a password, PIN, or fingerprint.
How to Make Videos Not Show Up in Gallery?
To prevent videos from showing in your gallery, you can move them to a Locked Folder or Secure Folder, place them inside a hidden folder, or add a .nomedia file to hide the entire directory. You can also disable media visibility in apps like WhatsApp. These quick methods keep your videos private and invisible in gallery apps.
Can Photos & Videos Be Hidden on Android Phones?)
Yes, you can easily hide any photo or video on an Android phone. Using features like Locked Folder, Private Safe, Hidden Album, or File Manager hidden folders, you can keep your personal media fully private and protected.