Secure folder - problem after upgrade to android 16

[MacLab]

Hello,

after updating my Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra to Android 16 and One UI 8.0, I encountered an issue with the Secure Folder (Private Folder). The “Select and Search with Google” function stopped working — whenever I try to use it, I get a message saying that the feature is unavailable or disabled.

Additionally, after the update I have browsers installed inside the Secure Folder, and when I try to upload a photo to a website, a menu appears allowing me to choose between my personal profile and my Secure Folder. However, when I select “Choose from Secure Folder Gallery”, no photos are displayed, even though I do have files stored in the Secure Folder gallery. Instead, only the photos outside of the Secure Folder are visible.

I would like to emphasize that all available system updates and all application updates (both from the Google Play Store and the Galaxy Store) are installed on the device. The phone does not indicate any pending updates.

[johnz237]

Hi! Welcome to the Samsung Members community!

Circle to Search will not work in Secure Folder. Unsure if this is a feature that was added or if it ever worked—any sort of screen scan will not work in Secure Folder by design; it's like when you're using incognito on a web browser.

Any files in the Secure Folder will not show unless you're actually in the Secure Folder itself—unless you mean you're in the Secure Folder trying.

Go to the Samsung Members app > Support > Feedback. To report any issues

[MacLab]

Thank you for your reply. As for the Secure Folder, I assumed it was primarily a security feature. However, given the broad configurability of Android, there should be an option to enable or disable this functionality with the user's consent. It is possible that Google has not yet updated this feature. It worked on Android 15 just 2 days ago. 

In the case of browsers within the Secure Folder, the issue is more serious because uploading photos or videos directly from the browser does not work. This problem occurs in all tested apps - Edge, Chrome, Opera, and Samsung Browser - as long as the browser is installed inside the Secure Folder.

By contrast, apps such as Instagram correctly detect the Secure Folder and allow uploading photos from its gallery.

[Rosemarysourdough]

I noticed this yesterday. It's extremely frustrating, especially when you rely on the isolated Secure Folder for work. 

[Rosemarysourdough]

I've literally tried everything. Makes you not wanna update software 😕

[TheWildPaduanos]

Hi,

I just did this update this morning and am having the same issue. It's so incredibly frustrating because I use it for work (self-employed), so I don't want my kids accidentally messing with it. Have you found anything to fix it yet?

[Rosemarysourdough]

Howdy

Unfortunately, I haven't found any solution. I completely wiped and "uninstalled" my secure folder earlier this morning. Set it up again from complete scratch, logged back into my browsers and such, and still nothing. 

I took a picture with the camera app within secure folder, and then went to browser to see if it would be available to upload. Nada. Definitely has to do something with browsers in general, not having the ability to access the photo folder. 

Very unfortunate, very very unfortunate.