Google Photos 'Locked Folder' Feature Coming Soon to iOS

Google Photos users on iPhone and iPad will soon be able to lock their most sensitive images in a special passcode-protected folder, thanks to a new feature coming to the iOS app.

The privacy-oriented Locked Folder feature allows users to save photos and videos in the app within a separate space that requires a passcode or fingerprint to access.

Media saved in the folder remains hidden, meaning the sensitive photos don't show up as users scroll through their Google Photos or any other apps on their device. Google says the feature is coming to iOS "early next year."

Importantly, or at least as it currently works on Pixel Phones, any cloud backups of items placed in the Locked Folder are automatically deleted from Google's servers.

Despite those safeguards, last year Google was forced to contact some 100,000 users to inform that that some of their private videos backed up on its servers had been accidentally sent to strangers due to a "technical issue."

News Source: MacRumors.com