Hidewell Vault vs Google Photos Locked Folder
Locked Folder is a feature of Google Photos that keeps chosen photos out of your grid and behind your device screen lock, with optional cloud backup.
Google Photos Locked Folder details as of October 2026, from public pages and store listings by Google (sources below). Official page: Google Photos Locked Folder
Side by side
Feature comparison
Hidewell Vault Winner
8 
Google Photos Locked Folder - Ahead:
- Behind:
- Even:
- Not comparable:
| Hidewell Vault |  Google Photos Locked Folder | |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Even: Android now. iPhone and iPad coming soon | Even: Android and iPhone, inside the Google Photos app [1] |
| Account required | Even: No. No account, no email | Even: A Google Account for backup and web access [2] |
| Encryption of stored files | Ahead: AES-256-GCM in 1 MiB segments under a random 256-bit master key | |
| How the unlock secret becomes a key | Ahead: Pattern plus a secret in your phone's security chip (Secure Enclave or StrongBox), then Argon2id | Behind: Not published |
| Unlock methods | Ahead: Pattern only, run through your phone's security chip. No biometric shortcut, by design | Behind: Your device screen lock. No separate PIN [1] |
| Multiple or decoy vaults | Ahead: Each pattern opens its own vault, with no vault list. Duress pattern opens a decoy (Pro) | Behind: None documented. One Locked Folder [2] |
| Backup | Ahead: Encrypted on your phone, stored in your own iCloud Drive or Google Drive, keyed from a 12-word recovery phrase | Behind: Optional backup to Google's cloud, counted against your Google storage [2] |
| Sync between devices | Behind: No. Encrypted sync is on the roadmap | Ahead: Backed-up items are available on your other devices and the web [2] |
| Tracking and analytics | Ahead: None. No analytics and no connection to our servers | Behind: Google Photos App Store label lists many data types linked to you (for the whole app) [4] |
| Ads | Even: None, on any plan | Even: No in-app ads documented. Google says it doesn't use your photos for advertising [3] |
| In-app camera | Ahead: Yes. Photos and video encrypted as you shoot (Pro) | Behind: Pixel Camera on Pixel 4 or later can save straight to Locked Folder [2] |
| Source code | Ahead: Open-source crypto core. Anyone can inspect and audit it | Behind: Not documented |
| Pricing | Behind: Free (1 vault, 150 photos, 15 videos). Pro $2.99 a month, $19.99 a year or $44.99 once | Ahead: Free. Cloud backup uses Google Account storage (15 GB free) [5] |
“Not documented” means we couldn't find it in the public documentation for Google Photos Locked Folder, and on non-security rows we don't count it against them. Unpublished security details count as behind, because they can't be verified. Ahead and behind are our reading of the cited facts. Competitor prices are from the US App Store.
Key differences
What sets them apart.
Open-source crypto core
Google describes "standard encryption practices" for Locked Folder but publishes no source code for it. Hidewell's cryptography core is open source, and it's where all the security happens: the apps are a thin native layer on top. So anyone can inspect and audit exactly how your keys are made and your files are encrypted. [2]
Your screen lock is the key to it
Locked Folder opens with the same screen lock as your phone, and backed-up items can be viewed on the web with your Google Account password. Hidewell vaults need a separate pattern, bound to your phone's security chip. [1][6]
Cloud backup
Locked Folder backups go to Google's servers. Google describes standard encryption practices and doesn't state end-to-end encryption. Hidewell backups are encrypted on your phone and stored in your own cloud drive, keyed from your recovery phrase. [2][3]
No decoy, one folder
There is one Locked Folder and no decoy. Hidewell gives every pattern its own vault and offers a duress pattern. [2]
FAQ
Hidewell Vault vs Google Photos Locked Folder: your questions answered.
Can I verify how Locked Folder and Hidewell Vault protect my files?
Google describes Locked Folder as protected by standard encryption practices and publishes no source code for it, so the details can't be checked independently. Hidewell Vault's cryptography core is open source: you can read exactly how your keys are made, and anyone can inspect and audit it.
Is Google Photos Locked Folder end-to-end encrypted?
Google's help page says Locked Folder is protected by Google Photos' standard encryption practices. It doesn't state end-to-end encryption. Hidewell Vault encrypts everything on your phone, and its backups are keyed from a recovery phrase only you have.
How do you unlock Locked Folder?
With your device screen lock, or your Google Account password on the web. Hidewell Vault uses a separate pattern for each vault.
Can I have more than one Locked Folder?
Google's documentation describes a single Locked Folder. In Hidewell Vault, each pattern opens its own vault, and nothing on screen or on disk shows how many exist.
Sources
- https://support.google.com/photos/answer/10694388?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DiOS
- https://support.google.com/photos/answer/10694388?hl=en
- https://safety.google/photos/
- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/google-photos/id962194608
- https://one.google.com/about/plans
- https://support.google.com/photos/answer/10694388?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop
Hidewell Vault details are from this site. Google Photos Locked Folder is a trademark of its owner. Hidewell Vault is not affiliated with Google. Features and prices change, so check the sources for the latest.