Locked out of your Secure Folder? Your photos aren't gone—they're encrypted and recoverable. Samsung built multiple password reset pathways into Secure Folder, and this guide covers all working solutions for all Galaxy Devices
📋 Table of Contents
- Quick Comparison: Which Fix to Use?
- Fix 1: Reset with Samsung Account (Easiest)
- Fix 2: Clear Cache & Data, Then Reset
- Fix 3: Uninstall & Reinstall (Last Resort)
- Fix 4: PC Software Recovery (Advanced)
- Prevention: Never Get Locked Out Again
- FAQ & Troubleshooting
- Action Plan: Pick Your Recovery Path
Quick Comparison: Which Fix to Use?
| Fix | Difficulty | Data Loss Risk | Success Rate | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fix 1: Samsung Account Reset | Easy | ✅ None | 90%+ | 2 min |
| Fix 2: Clear Cache + Reset | Easy | ✅ None | 85% | 5 min |
| Fix 3: Uninstall & Reinstall | Easy | ⚠️ Total | 100% | 3 min |
| Fix 4: PC Recovery Software | Advanced | ✅ None | 75% | 15 min |
Fix 1: Reset with Samsung Account (Easiest - No Data Loss)
This is your first stop. If you enabled "Reset with Samsung Account" during setup, you can regain access in under 2 minutes—no data loss.
How It Works
Samsung Account acts as a backup unlock mechanism. When you forget your Secure Folder password, entering the wrong PIN multiple times triggers a reset option.
Step-by-Step:
- Open the Secure Folder app
- Enter an incorrect password 3–5 times
- Tap "Forgot PIN/Pattern" at the bottom of the screen
- Sign in with your Samsung Account (email + password)
- Tap "Reset" when prompted
- Create a new PIN, pattern, or password
- Access all your photos immediately ✅
⚠️What If "Forgot PIN" Doesn't Appear?
This means "Reset with Samsung Account" was disabled during initial setup. Move to Fix 2 to force the option to appear.
Fix 2: Clear Cache & Data, Then Reset
When the reset option is hidden due to corrupted app data, clearing the cache and app data resets the interface while preserving your encrypted photos.
Steps:
- Navigate to Settings → Apps → App Management
- Search for "Secure Folder" and tap it
- Tap "Storage" or "Storage & Cache"
- Select "Clear Cache" first
- Then select "Clear Data" (confirm the warning)
- Restart your phone
- Open Secure Folder → enter wrong PIN → the "Forgot PIN" option should now appear
- Follow Fix 1, steps 4–7 to complete the reset
Why This Works
App cache can become corrupted, hiding UI elements like the reset button. Clearing it forces the app to rebuild its interface from scratch—but your encrypted data remains untouched in secure storage.
Success Rate
85% when Fix 1 doesn't work. Takes about 5 minutes total.
Fix 3: Uninstall & Reinstall (Last Resort - Data Loss)
⚠️ WARNING: This permanently deletes all Secure Folder contents. Only use this if:
- You've exhausted Fixes 1 and 2
- Your photos exist elsewhere (cloud backup, computer, etc.)
- You accept complete data loss
Method A: Auto-Delete via Failed Attempts
- Open Secure Folder
- Enter the wrong password 20 times
- Your phone will prompt "Delete Secure Folder" → confirm
- Data is securely wiped (encrypted deletion—unrecoverable)
Method B: Manual Uninstall + Reinstall
- Go to Settings → Accounts → Samsung Account
- Tap "Sign Out" (or skip if you prefer to stay signed in)
- Open Settings → Apps → find Secure Folder
- Tap "Uninstall" and confirm
- Sign back into your Samsung Account
- Go to Settings → Biometrics & Security → Secure Folder → reinstall
- Set up a new PIN/password and regain access
Critical Data Loss Warning
| ❌ WILL BE DELETED | ✅ NOT AFFECTED |
|---|---|
| All photos in Secure Folder | Photos in main gallery |
| All videos | Cloud backups (Google Photos, Samsung Cloud) |
| Apps installed in Secure Folder | Files on PC or external drives |
| Documents & files | Notes, emails outside Secure Folder |
You cannot recover this data after deletion. The encryption key is destroyed.
Fix 4: PC Software Recovery (Advanced - No Root)
Before you resort to uninstalling, try extracting your photos using professional Android recovery software on a PC. This works even if you can't access Secure Folder.
What You'll Need
- Windows or Mac PC
- USB cable
- Android recovery software (RecoverGo, Dr.Fone, or EaseUS MobiSaver)
- 15–20 minutes
Step-by-Step (RecoverGo Example):
- Download RecoverGo on your PC (free trial available)
- Install and launch the software
- Connect your Galaxy phone via USB cable
- Enable USB Debugging when prompted:
- Settings → About Phone → tap "Build Number" 7 times
- Go back → Settings → Developer Options → Enable "USB Debugging"
- Select "Recover from Device" in RecoverGo
- Choose "Photos" category (you can also select Videos, Documents)
- Click Scan (takes 5–15 minutes depending on storage size)
- Preview recovered files and select which photos to recover
- Click Recover and choose where to save on your PC
Why This Works
Secure Folder stores encrypted data in isolated partitions. Professional recovery tools access the device's file system via USB debugging—bypassing the lock screen entirely—then extract photos before you reset Secure Folder.
Success Rate & Limitations
- Success Rate: 70–80% for photos and videos
- Limitations: Recovery is not 100% guaranteed; some data may be fragmented
- Best Practice: Use this before attempting Fix 3
- Cost: Free trials often recover 3–5 files; full recovery requires paid license ($30–80)
Alternative Tools
- Dr.Fone (iOS + Android, intuitive interface)
- EaseUS MobiSaver (free preview, pay for recovery)
- Samsung SmartSwitch (limited, but free and safe)
Prevention: Never Get Locked Out Again
1️⃣ Enable "Reset with Samsung Account" (Must-Do)
- Open Secure Folder → tap the 3-dot menu → Settings
- Tap "Lock Type"
- Enter your current password to proceed
- Enable "Reset with Samsung Account" (toggle on)
- Confirm with your Samsung Account credentials
Do this now, while you still remember your password.
2️⃣ Backup Your Photos Automatically
| Service | Cost | Capacity | Why Use It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Photos | Free (compressed) / $2–10/mo (original) | 15GB–2TB | Unlimited originals, accessible anywhere |
| Samsung Cloud | Free / $0.99–3.99/mo | 5GB–200GB | Native integration, automatic backup |
| Microsoft OneDrive | Free (5GB) / $2–10/mo | Up to 2TB | Works across Windows/Mac/Android |
| External Hard Drive | One-time $50–100 | 1–4TB | Local backup, no subscription |
Recommended: Use Google Photos + Samsung Cloud + external drive for triple redundancy.
3️⃣ Password Best Practices
✅ DO:
- Use a simple 6-digit PIN + biometric authentication
- Store passwords in password managers (1Password, Bitwarden, LastPass)
- Link a strong Samsung Account password (12+ characters, mixed case & numbers)
- Write password hints in a physical notebook (not digital)
- Use fingerprint or face unlock as primary authentication
❌ DON'T:
- Create overly complex passwords you'll forget
- Rely solely on memory
- Use the same password across apps
- Write passwords in phone notes or texts
- Disable "Reset with Samsung Account"
See Also:
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I recover photos if I never enabled "Reset with Samsung Account"?
A: Yes, try Fix 2 (clear cache) first—it often forces the option to appear. If that fails, use Fix 4 (PC recovery software) before uninstalling.
Q: Does Samsung support have access to my encrypted data?
A: No. Secure Folder uses end-to-end encryption (AES-256 military-grade)—even Samsung employees cannot decrypt your photos without the password. This is by design.
Q: Will a factory reset help?
A: No—it makes it worse. A factory reset deletes Secure Folder entirely. Use phone-specific solutions above first.
Q: What if I forgot both my Secure Folder password AND my Samsung Account password?
A: Reset your Samsung Account via account.samsung.com → "Forgot Password" → verify via email or phone number. This takes 5 minutes and unlocks your Samsung Account, allowing you to use Fix 1.
Q: Does this work on Galaxy S25/S26 with One UI 7?
A: Yes. All methods remain compatible. Samsung maintains backward compatibility across One UI versions.
Q: Can I use Google Account instead of Samsung Account?
A: No. Secure Folder specifically requires a Samsung Account—Google Account won't work for password reset.
Q: How long does PC recovery take?
A: Scanning: 5–15 minutes (depends on storage size). Recovery: 1–5 minutes per file. Total: 10–30 minutes for a full backup.
Q: Is my data really gone after uninstall?
A: Yes. Secure Folder uses encrypted deletion—the data is securely wiped and cryptographically unrecoverable. Even forensic tools cannot retrieve it.
Q: Can I restore from a previous backup?
A: Partially. If you previously backed up Secure Folder to Samsung Cloud or Google Drive, you may be able to restore individual files—but not the entire folder structure.
Q: Does antivirus software interfere with Secure Folder?
A: Rarely, but some aggressive antivirus apps block Secure Folder's encryption. If you can't access it after installing antivirus, try Fix 2 (clear cache) or temporarily disable the antivirus.
Action Plan: Pick Your Recovery Path
Scenario 1: "Forgot PIN" button appears
→ Use Fix 1 (2 minutes, zero data loss)
Scenario 2: "Forgot PIN" button doesn't appear, but Samsung Account linked
→ Use Fix 2 (5 minutes, zero data loss)
Scenario 3: Photos backed up elsewhere, want quick access
→ Use Fix 3 (3 minutes, complete reset)
Scenario 4: Want to extract photos before resetting
→ Use Fix 4 (15–20 minutes, save photos to PC first)
Final Takeaway
Your photos are safe—Samsung's encryption protects them, and these fixes are designed to get you back in quickly. Start with Fix 1, move to Fix 2 if needed, and use Fix 4 only if you want to extract files before a full reset.
Most importantly: Enable "Reset with Samsung Account" in Secure Folder settings today. It takes 30 seconds and prevents lockouts forever.
Backup to Google Photos or Samsung Cloud regularly. A forgotten password is only a problem if you don't have redundant copies elsewhere.