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.

[Luffy7]

Hi 

How are you managing then it is so much frustrating without the option to upload in secure browsers.

[Phenixof4]

Im having the same issue when I tried to attach documents it will only show me documents that are outside of the secure folder 

[MacLab]

Yes, this is a serious issue. The "select and search by Google" function in the Secure Folder has been disabled for security reasons, but there is still communication between the Secure Folder and the rest of the device. I was not in the office, so I haven't checked it yet, but I will review how it looks on devices deployed via Intune.

If, despite the applied policies, the phone allows access from the Secure Folder - which is meant to store company data - to the rest of the device, this poses a major security threat for the organization. I will need to create a policy to block updates until the issue is resolved.

[jessdz]

I'm still having this issue too. I went on the browser permissions and made sure they were all allowed. Nothing worked.

[crd1213]

My S24 went through the software update a few days ago, and I've been having the same problem ever since. 

I hope this gets fixed soon, but in the meantime I have found a sort-of workaround. If you go through Samsung Internet instead of Chrome, you can access your secure folder files for uploading. 

[ausgeschaltet]

You must explicitly register your fingerprints in the Secure Folder settings.

[Joe_evo]

It's not just in browsers, but any app where you upload a photo/document. It does not pull from the secure folder. 

[doubleO]

Sadly not. My Samsung Internet doesn't detect secure folder files either. Any updates from anyone?

[Members_8yfX43W]

I asked for help through support....

Me:

Hello, there is an issue that when i try to open files which are located inside secure folder gallery through opera browser or chrome browser, it shows empty directory. You can only see personal files that are outside secure folder. This happened after last oneui update.

Samsung: Thank you for contacting Samsung Electronics Baltics.

Hope this finds you well.

I am sorry to hear you are having inconveniences using your device.

Before you try out below recommendations as to your solution, be sure to check if your device's software is updated with latest version. Please check how to update your mobile device's software in following order.

Step 1. Go to Settings > Software update.

Step 2. Tap on Download and install.

Step 3. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Then we recommend that you first boot your phone into Safe Mode and then restart to see if that fixes the problem. If the situation persists - make a backup copy and reset the phone to factory settings. Check the operation of the device.

Power on your Galaxy phone or tablet in Safe mode:

https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS10003495/

Note: Available screens and settings may vary by carrier and software version.

Set up Secure Folder

Setting up the Secure Folder on your device is easy. Think of it as adding extra security to your phone.

* Go to Settings, then tap Security and privacy, then tap More security settings. Tap Secure Folder.

* Tap Continue, then allow the necessary permissions by tapping Continue again. Sign in to your Samsung account if needed, then tap OK.

* You'll need to set up a security method (PIN, password, or pattern) to access Secure Folder. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your PIN.

* You'll be asked to turn on "Reset with Samsung account." This is important! If you forget your PIN, you'll need this to regain access to your Secure Folder. Tap Turn on.

* Tap Next, and enter your PIN if prompted to access your Secure Folder.

Add apps or files to Secure Folder

Want to keep your banking app extra secure? Add it to Secure Folder. Only you will know it's there.

After setting up Secure Folder, tap Add apps (the plus sign). Choose the app you want to add, then tap Add. A copy of the app will appear in your Secure Folder.

To add files, tap More options (three vertical dots), then tap Add files. You can choose the file type or use My Files to find any file on your device.

Move files to Secure Folder

You can add pictures or files to your Secure Folder anytime, even without being signed in.

* Open an app with files, like Gallery.

* Touch and hold the file(s) you want to move.

* Tap More, then tap Move to Secure Folder.

* The file will be moved and you can view it in Secure Folder.

Remove apps from Secure Folder

If you've added an app to Secure Folder by mistake, or no longer need the extra security, you can uninstall it.

* Open Secure Folder.

* Enter your Secure Folder PIN if prompted.

* Tap and hold the app you want to remove, then tap Select. To uninstall more apps, tap each one to select it.

* Once selected, tap Uninstall at the bottom, then tap OK.

Remove files from Secure Folder

(Instructions for removing files are not explicitly provided in the original script.)

Hide the Secure Folder

Don't want anyone to know Secure Folder exists? You can hide it from your Apps screen.

Swipe down with two fingers to access Quick Settings. Swipe to and tap Secure Folder to hide or unhide it.

Alternatively, go to Settings, tap Security and privacy, then tap More security settings. Tap Secure Folder, sign in if prompted, and tap the switch next to Add Secure Folder to Apps screen to turn it on or off.

You can also customise Secure Folder's name or icon. Open Secure Folder, enter your security credentials if prompted. Tap More options (three vertical dots), then tap Customise. Change the name, colour, and icon. Tap Apply when finished.

Ways to access Secure Folder

* From the Apps screen: From a Home screen, swipe up to open the Apps screen, then tap Secure Folder. Enter your security credentials when prompted.

* From Settings: Open Settings, tap Security and privacy, then tap More security settings. Tap Secure Folder, enter your security credentials when prompted, and then open Secure Folder from the Apps screen. For access problems, check our troubleshooting guide.

Secure Folder settings

Easily change Secure Folder settings. Go to Settings, tap Security and privacy, then tap More security settings. Tap Secure Folder, enter your PIN if prompted. These settings are available:

* Lock type: Choose how to unlock Secure Folder (PIN, password, pattern, or fingerprint on supported devices). Enable "Reset with Samsung account" to recover access if you forget your security method.

* Auto lock Secure Folder: Set when Secure Folder automatically locks.

* Add Secure Folder to Apps screen: Add a Secure Folder icon to your Apps screen.

* Notifications: Allow notifications from apps within Secure Folder even when locked.

* Apps: Manage apps in Secure Folder.

* Galaxy AI: View and enable advanced intelligence features.

* Manage accounts: Manage accounts within Secure Folder.

* Restore from backup: Restore data from previous backups. See "Manage account sync and backup options" for details.

* More settings: Set up Samsung Pass autofill, monitor data usage of secured apps.

* Other security settings: Manage security certificates, contact info, clipboard access, and data decryption.

* Privacy Policy: View Samsung's Privacy Policy.

* About Secure Folder: View version, Terms and Conditions, and Open source licenses.

Uninstall Secure Folder

Completely uninstall Secure Folder to remove all its contents.

* Go to Settings, tap Security and privacy, then tap More security settings. Tap Secure Folder.

* Tap More settings, then tap Uninstall.

* Review the information, then tap Uninstall to confirm. You can move media files out of Secure Folder before uninstalling.

Reset Secure Folder PIN, password, or pattern

* Open Secure Folder and enter your PIN, pattern, or password.

* If incorrect, tap Forgot. Then tap Reset on the pop-up and sign in to your Samsung account.

* Choose a new PIN, pattern, password, or registered fingerprint.

* Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your new security credentials. You can now access Secure Folder.

Manage account sync options

Data from your Samsung account can be restored to Secure Folder.

* Open Secure Folder, tap More options (three vertical dots), then tap Settings.

* Tap Restore from backup, then tap Add account.

* Sign in to your Samsung account. Enter your credentials and tap Sign in.

* Agree to the terms and conditions. You might need 2-step verification.

* Open Secure Folder, tap More options, then Settings. Tap Restore from backup.

* Tap Restore, select your data, and tap Restore to begin.

* To remove restored data, go back to the Restore from backup screen and tap Delete Secure Folder backup data.

* For automatic syncing, go to Secure Folder settings, tap Manage accounts. Tap the switch next to Auto sync Secure Folder data, then tap OK.

Manage backup options

While Secure Folder no longer supports data backups, you can restore data from previous backups and transfer your Secure Folder to a new device using Smart Switch https://www.samsung.com/us/support/owners/app/smart-switch.

* For a wired transfer, plug both devices into chargers and connect them with a USB cable. For wireless, place them within 4 inches.

* Go to Settings, search for and select Smart Switch, then tap Bring data from old device twice.

Note: You can also open Smart Switch from the Samsung folder on the Apps screen.

* Choose your transfer method:

* Wireless: On the old device, tap Send data, then Wireless. On the new device, tap Receive data, Galaxy/Android, then Wireless.

* Wired: On the old device, tap Send data, then Cable. On the new device, tap Receive data, Galaxy/Android, then Cable.

* Tap Allow on the old device. On the new device, choose your Secure Folder content and tap Transfer.

* Once finished, tap Close on the new device.

* Open Secure Folder on the new device to check the data transfer.

Update Secure Folder and apps

Update Secure Folder and its apps.

* Open Secure Folder, tap More options (three vertical dots).

* Tap Settings, then tap About Secure Folder. Update Secure Folder if an update is available.

* To update apps, open the Play Store, tap your Samsung account icon (top right).

* Tap Manage apps & devices. In the Overview tab, tap Updates available. Tap Update next to the app, or Update all.

* Alternatively, open the Galaxy Store, tap Menu (bottom). Tap Updates, then tap the Update icon next to the app, or Update all.

Encrypt content in Secure Folder

For extra security, enable enhanced encryption in Secure Folder to protect your data from advanced threats.

* Open Secure Folder.

* Enter your Secure Folder PIN if prompted.

* Tap More options (three vertical dots), then tap Encrypt.

Note: All apps and their notifications will stop working.

* To decrypt, open Secure Folder and tap Decrypt. Apps will then work and send notifications. I would appreciate if you could find time to evaluate my provided consultation in the end of email customer satisfaction survey. If you feel that your query did not get covered fully, please let us know and we do our best to meet your satisfaction.

If you have any additional questions, please contact us again either calling, sending email or start a Live Chat. We would gladly assist you.

Have a nice day!

Kind regards,

Vladislavs

Samsung Electronics Baltics customer

support

Phone no. 8000 7267 (toll free number)

Hours Phone: Mon. - Fri. 9.00 - 17.00

Hours Chat: Mon. - Fri. 9.00 - 19.00

Home page: www.samsung.lv

Me:Hello, it's a known bug in newest oneUI 8/android16, there are a lot of topics on reddit/github regarding this issue. Please register it as bug, so your SW developers can fix it. It worked just fine before I applied update.

Examples: https://github.com/PhilippC/keepass2android/issues/3022

https://us.community.samsung.com/t5/Galaxy-S25/One-ui-8-Secure-folder-bug/td-p/3363958

https://github.com/avluis/Hentoid/issues/1311

And there are more on reddit etc..

Samdung:

Thank you for contacting Samsung Electronics Baltics.

Thank you for the information. If the ‘Allow background activity while locked’ option is turned OFF, notifications for apps used in the Secure Folder will not appear when the folder is locked(also in background mode), and the ‘Move to Secure Folder’ option will not be displayed in Gallery or My Files. Please try turning the ‘Allow background activity while locked’ option ON.

[How to turn On ‘Allow background activity while locked’ option]

- Secure Folder > More options(⁝) > Settings > turn On ‘Allow background activity while locked’

I would also like to add that the feature to display the Secure Folder app in the share panel has been added. By default, it is set to OFF. If you need this feature, you can enable it by going to the ‘Show Secure Folder apps in share panel’ menu in the Secure Folder.

Note: If the Secure Folder is set to ‘Hide Secure Folder’ mode or the ‘Allow background activity while locked’ option is turned OFF, the Secure Folder will only be visible when unlocked.

[How to enable ‘Show Secure Folder apps in share panel’ option]

- Secure Folder > More options(⁝) > Settings > Other security settings > turn On ‘Show Secure Folder apps in share panel’

If you have any additional questions, please contact us again either calling, sending email or start a Live Chat. We would gladly assist you.

I would be grateful if you could take the time to evaluate the consultation I provided by participating in the survey at the bottom of this letter.

Have a nice day!

Kind regards,

Annija

Samsung Electronics Baltics customer support

Latvia

Phone 8000 7267 (free of charge)

www.samsung.lv

Lithuania

Phone 0800 77 777 (free of charge)

www.samsung.lt

Estonia

Phone 800 7267 (free of charge)

www.samsung.ee http://www.samsung.ee

Opening hours: Monday - Friday 9.00 - 19.00

Waste of time..... hopefully thry will register this as complaint in their system, so it gets noticed by QA team and escalate...

[MacLab]

Today there is a new fix for android 8 released by Samsung to. did not correct any of the above problems