In today’s digital world, your smartphone is more than just a device, it holds your private conversations, personal photos, banking apps, work emails, and sensitive documents. That’s why knowing how to lock apps on Samsung phones and tablets is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your privacy.

Samsung Galaxy devices come with advanced built-in app locks, powered by Samsung Knox security. You don’t need to install any third-party apps. Everything you need to secure your apps is already built into your phone or tablet.

This guide explains the best and safest way to use app lock Samsung features on Galaxy phones and Galaxy Tabs.

Why you should use App Locks on Samsung

Most users lock their phone with a PIN or fingerprint, but that only protects the device, not individual apps. Once someone unlocks your phone, they can open WhatsApp, Gallery, Email, Notes, or even Banking apps.

Using app locks gives you:

• Protection for private chats and images
  

• Safety when sharing your phone with children or colleagues
  

• Extra security if your device is lost or stolen

• Full control over who can open sensitive apps
  

Samsung has created a powerful system called Secure Folder, which is the official way to lock apps on Samsung.

Secure Folder: Samsung’s built-in App Lock System

Secure Folder is a protected, encrypted space inside every modern Samsung Galaxy device. It uses Samsung Knox, the same security technology trusted by governments and enterprises.

Anything inside Secure Folder is:

• Locked behind a separate PIN, password, or fingerprint
  

• Hidden from the normal home screen

• Encrypted and isolated from the rest of the phone
  

This makes Secure Folder the most reliable app lock Samsung solution.

How to lock apps on Samsung using Secure Folder

Follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Open Settings

Step 2: Tap Security & privacy

Step 3: Select Secure Folder
Step 4: Sign in using your Samsung account
Step 5: Create a PIN, Pattern, or Password (you can also enable Fingerprint or Face Unlock)

Once Secure Folder is active:

Step 1: Open Secure Folder
Step 2: Tap Add apps
Step 3: Select the apps you want to protect (WhatsApp, Gallery, Instagram, Banking, Notes, etc.)
Step 4: Tap Add

Those apps are now fully locked. They can only be opened after Secure Folder authentication. Even if someone unlocks your phone, they cannot open the apps inside Secure Folder.

This is the safest and most effective way to lock apps on Samsung.

Read more: Samsung Secure Folder - What It Is & How to Use It

Create a locked second copy of any app

One of the most powerful features of Samsung’s app locks is the ability to create two versions of the same app.

For example:

• One WhatsApp stays outside (normal use)

• Another WhatsApp runs inside Secure Folder (fully locked)
  

This is perfect for:

• Work and personal separation
  

• Hidden social media accounts
  

• Private photo backups

• Business banking and documents
  

Secure Folder turns your Galaxy phone into a true privacy-controlled device.

Lock Gallery, Photos and Files

Many users want to protect their photos and videos. Secure Folder allows you to:

• Move photos and videos into a locked Gallery
  

• Keep private files hidden from Google Photos and file explorers

• Store sensitive documents securely
  

Once files are inside Secure Folder, they cannot be accessed unless the folder is unlocked.

Lock apps using Fingerprint or Face ID

Samsung allows Secure Folder to be unlocked using:

• Fingerprint
  

• Face recognition

• PIN or Password
  

This means you can open your locked apps instantly with your finger ,  while everyone else stays locked out.

How to Hide apps for extra privacy

Samsung also lets you hide apps from view:

Step 1: Long-press on the Home Screen
Step 2: Tap Settings

Step 3: Select Hide apps

Step 4: Choose the apps and tap Done

Hidden apps won’t appear on the home screen or app drawer. Combined with Secure Folder, this gives you maximum privacy control.

Why Samsung’s built-in App Lock is better than third-party apps

Play Store app locks:

• Can break after updates
  

• May collect data
  

• Often show ads

• Can be removed easily
  

Samsung’s app lock Samsung system:

• Is encrypted by Samsung Knox
  

• Cannot be bypassed
  

• Is updated with the system

• Is trusted by enterprise and government users

This is why Secure Folder is the gold standard for how to lock an app on Samsung.

Which Samsung Models does Secure Folder Works on

Secure Folder and app locks work on:

• Galaxy S Series

• Galaxy Z Fold & Z Flip

• Galaxy A Series

• Galaxy Tab S and Tab A

This is especially useful for families, students, and businesses using shared Samsung tablets.

Protect your Samsung device with MDS Mobile UAE

At MDS Mobile, every Samsung phone and tablet we sell comes with:

• Samsung Knox Security
  

• Secure Folder
  

• Biometric app locks

• Long-term software updates
  

Our team can help you set up Secure Folder and lock your apps before you even leave the store ,  giving you complete privacy from day one.