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How to Delete and Remove Samsung Secure Folder Safely

Whether you are clearing space, preparing to sell your device, or simply tired of the notifications, removing Samsung's built-in secure partition requires a few specific steps to ensure you don't permanently lose hidden files.

By Editorial Team · Updated August 2026 · 8 min read
Android security settings screen used when managing protected folders and privacy controls
Quick Answer

To remove Samsung Secure Folder, open the Secure Folder app, tap the three dots (Menu) > Settings > More settings, and select Uninstall. You will be prompted to either move your media files out of the folder or delete them permanently. Once confirmed, the partition is erased.

Inside this Guide

1. What you need before starting 2. How Samsung Knox handles your files 3. Method 1: Native uninstallation 4. How to stop Secure Folder notifications 5. A more flexible security alternative 6. Troubleshooting & file recovery 7. Frequently asked questions

What you need before starting

Removing the Secure Folder is generally straightforward, but because it relies on hardware-level encryption, a mistake here can result in permanent data loss. Before you begin the removal process, ensure you have:

Mobile lock-screen security protecting access before Samsung Secure Folder removal
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Pro Tip: Ensure your phone has at least 20% battery. If the device powers off while decrypting and moving files out of the folder, data corruption is highly likely.

How Samsung Knox Handles Your Deleted Files

Samsung Secure Folder is not just a hidden directory; it is an entirely separate, encrypted container built on the Samsung Knox hardware security architecture. When you move a photo, document, or app into the Secure Folder, it is encrypted and isolated from the main Android OS.

Encrypted data protection vault illustrating isolated secure-folder storage

When you initiate the removal process, the system gives you two options regarding your data:

Note: Applications installed inside the Secure Folder, along with their settings and accounts (like a secondary WhatsApp profile), cannot be exported. They are always deleted during uninstallation.

How to Remove Samsung Secure Folder

The safest and most reliable way to disable the Secure Folder on a Samsung Galaxy device is through the native OS settings. This process requires no third-party software.

Step-by-step mobile security illustration for safely removing a protected folder

  1. Open Secure Folder

    Locate the Secure Folder icon in your app drawer and tap it. Enter your PIN, pattern, biometric data, or password to access the contents.

  2. Access Settings

    Tap the three vertical dots (More options) in the top right corner of the screen, then select Settings from the dropdown menu.

  3. Navigate to More Settings

    Scroll down to the bottom of the Settings list and tap on More settings. (On some older Android versions, the uninstall option is located directly in the main Settings menu).

  4. Select Uninstall

    Tap Uninstall. A prompt will appear warning you that the folder will be removed.

  5. Choose File Fate and Confirm

    Check the box that says "Move media files out of Secure Folder" if you want to keep your photos and documents. If you want to permanently erase them, leave it unchecked. Finally, tap Uninstall to begin the process.

How to verify it worked

Once the process completes (which can take several minutes if you are moving large video files), verify the removal:

How to Stop Secure Folder Notifications Without Deleting It

Many users search for how to remove the folder simply because they are tired of seeing the persistent "Secure Folder locked" notification. If you want to keep the security benefits but hide the alerts, you can adjust your privacy settings instead.

Account privacy lock illustration for adjusting Secure Folder notification settings

  1. Open Android Settings

    Go to your phone's main Settings app > Apps.

  2. Find Secure Folder

    Scroll down and select Secure Folder. You may need to authenticate.

  3. Adjust Notifications

    Tap Notifications. Here you can toggle off "Show notifications" completely, or specifically disable "Secure Folder locked notification".

Why Users Switch to Third-Party App Locks

While Samsung's Knox architecture is incredibly secure for isolating data, it is notoriously rigid. If you removed your Secure Folder because it duplicated your apps, drained your battery, or trapped your files on a single device, a dedicated third-party app locker is a much more practical alternative.

Folder Lock Android security feature banner showing an alternative app-locking approach

The Drawbacks of Native Knox Containers

Samsung's built-in solution creates a separate partition. To lock an app (like WhatsApp or a banking app), it must create a completely separate, duplicate installation of that app. This consumes massive storage overhead, requires separate logins, and makes moving your hidden data to a non-Samsung device nearly impossible.

The Folder Lock Advantage

Dedicated security software like Folder Lock bypasses partition cloning entirely. It lets you place a PIN or biometric lock directly over your existing apps without duplicating them. Furthermore, it encrypts your photos and documents using AES-256 and allows you to securely back those vaults up to Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive.

Folder Lock Android app screenshot showing protected mobile data controls

Media & App Security

  • Direct App Locker Protect existing apps (Gallery, WhatsApp, Banking) with a PIN or fingerprint without having to duplicate the app data.
  • Hide Photos & Videos Move media directly from your camera roll into an encrypted vault, completely hiding them from standard gallery apps.
  • Secure Digital Wallets Keep credit card numbers, banking details, and identification cards locked behind military-grade encryption rather than in a vulnerable notes app.
  • Private Web Browser Browse the internet securely with a built-in browser that automatically clears your history, cookies, and cache the moment you exit.
Folder Lock Android app-lock feature for protecting existing apps with a secure access gate
Folder Lock Android private media vault for hiding photos and videos from the standard gallery
Folder Lock secure wallet feature for protected cards and sensitive personal records

Cross-Platform Syncing & Backup

  • Cloud Synchronization Sync your encrypted lockers effortlessly to Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive, maintaining encryption even while the files reside on external servers.
  • Cross-Device Accessibility Access your secure files on any device. Folder Lock supports seamless syncing across Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.
  • Secure File Sharing Share locked files with colleagues or family using asymmetric 4096-bit RSA keys, allowing them access without ever sending your master password over email.
  • Monitor Hack Attempts Maintain a secure log of any unauthorized attempts to guess your PIN or access your secure lockers.
Folder Lock Android encrypted cloud backup workflow for protected mobile files
Cross-platform synchronization of protected files across desktop and mobile devices

A Better Way to Lock Apps and Files

If you removed Secure Folder because you want a flexible, cross-platform way to protect files and lock specific apps without the bloat, we recommend Folder Lock. It secures your data with AES 256-bit encryption and safely backs it up to your favorite cloud service.

Folder Lock 10 software boxshot for the recommended cross-platform data protection product
Try Folder Lock Free → View Full Version Pricing →
AES 256-bit Encryption Direct App Lock Cloud Backup Sync Secure Wallets

Troubleshooting & Access Recovery

Many users trying to delete the Secure Folder encounter a roadblock: they cannot remember the password to get inside in the first place. You cannot uninstall a locked Knox container from the UI. Let's find your solution.

Android pattern and PIN recovery screen for Secure Folder access troubleshooting
Can you currently open your Secure Folder?
Do you want to keep the files inside?
Did you link your Samsung Account to the Secure Folder?

Follow Method 1

Navigate to Secure Folder Settings > More settings > Uninstall. Check the box to "Move media files out" before confirming. Your files will be moved to internal storage.

Permanent Deletion

Navigate to Secure Folder Settings > More settings > Uninstall. Leave the "Move files out" box UNCHECKED. Confirm to permanently wipe the partition.

Reset via Samsung Account

Enter an incorrect PIN or pattern until the "Forgot pattern/PIN" option appears. Tap it, log in with your main Samsung Account credentials, and you will be prompted to reset the Secure Folder lock. Once inside, follow the standard uninstallation steps.

Hard Reset Warning

If you forgot the Secure Folder password and did not link a Samsung account for recovery, the data inside is cryptographically locked and irretrievable. The only way to remove the folder in this state is to perform a full factory data reset on the entire phone.

How to remove apps from Secure Folder Samsung

If you don't want to delete the whole folder, but just want to remove a specific app (like moving WhatsApp back to your main screen): open the Secure Folder, long-press the app icon, and select Uninstall. Note that this uninstalls the secure instance of the app and its data. To use the app normally, re-download it from the Google Play Store outside of the Secure Folder.

Delete Secure Folder without password

As covered in the troubleshooting matrix above, you cannot selectively uninstall the Secure Folder without the PIN/Pattern, as this would be a massive security flaw. If you lack the credentials, your only route to rid the device of the folder is a complete device factory reset (Settings > General Management > Reset > Factory data reset), which wipes all data on the phone.

General Removal

Can I uninstall Secure Folder completely?

Yes. By following the steps to uninstall via the Secure Folder settings, the encrypted Knox partition is completely removed from your device, freeing up the storage space it occupied.

How to disable Secure Folder on Samsung?

If you just want to hide it rather than delete it, you don't need to uninstall. Pull down your Quick Settings panel, find the "Secure Folder" toggle, and turn it off. The app icon will disappear from your app drawer, but the folder and its contents remain safe on your phone.

How do I remove the Secure Folder locked notification?

Go to your phone's main Settings > Apps > Secure Folder > Notifications. You can turn off alerts entirely, preventing the system from reminding you the folder is locked in the background.

Data & Files

Will I lose files if I delete Secure Folder?

Not if you choose the right option. During the uninstallation prompt, you are given the choice to "Move media files out." Checking this box safely decrypts your photos and documents and returns them to standard internal storage.

What happens to files when I remove Secure Folder?

If you select the move option, media files are migrated. However, app data (like chat histories in a secure instance of a messaging app), secure contacts, and Samsung Notes created inside the folder are always permanently deleted upon removal.

Can I have more than one Secure Folder on Samsung?

No, Samsung Knox limits each device to a single Secure Folder partition. If you need multiple vaults or profiles, you will need a third-party app like Folder Lock, which allows you to create as many separate encrypted vaults as you need.

How can I back up my encrypted files before removing a folder?

Native secure partitions often restrict cloud backups to prevent data leaks. If you use an alternative like Folder Lock, it integrates directly with Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive. You can sync your AES-256 bit encrypted lockers directly to the cloud, ensuring your data is safely backed up before you wipe any device.

Desktop and mobile security ecosystem illustrating protected cross-device access

Access & Connectivity

Can I access my Samsung Secure Folder from another device?

No. The Secure Folder uses hardware-backed encryption keys specific to your physical phone's motherboard (Knox Vault). It cannot be synced to, opened from, or accessed by another phone, tablet, or PC directly.

Can I access Samsung Secure Folder from PC?

No. Even if you plug your phone into a PC via USB, the contents of the Secure Folder remain invisible and encrypted. You must move the files out of the Secure Folder on the phone first before a PC can view or copy them. By contrast, a tool like Folder Lock allows you to access your secure vaults across Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android seamlessly.

How does fingerprint app locking work compared to Samsung's folder?

Samsung's folder creates a walled garden requiring duplicate apps. Standard app locking (like with Folder Lock) simply places a biometric or PIN gate in front of your existing applications on the main home screen, making it much faster for daily use without duplicating data.

The Bottom Line

Removing the Samsung Secure Folder is a simple process, provided you know your password and take care to export your media files during uninstallation. If you found the native Knox environment too restrictive, difficult to back up, or prone to duplicating your apps, dedicated software offers a far more flexible and robust alternative.

Try Folder Lock Free → Get the Full Version →