One 8.5 Adds Private Album to Samsung Gallery to Hide Photos and Videos

One UI 8.5 introduces a Private Album inside Samsung’s Gallery that locks selected photos and videos behind the device’s existing credentials for quick, built‑in control over what appears in the main camera roll and albums. This approach aims to simplify privacy by eliminating the need to shuttle media into and out of Secure Folder just to keep sensitive items out of sight during casual browsing or sharing moments.

What’s new

1. Private Album inside Gallery: A dedicated, locked album removes hidden media from the main grid and Memories/Moments-style surfaces so they will not casually surface while scrolling or casting.
2. Quick hide action: A “Move to Private Album” option in the Gallery overflow menu enables one‑tap hiding of selected items without switching apps or duplicating files.
3. Biometric/PIN unlock: Access relies on the device’s fingerprint, face, or PIN/password for convenient, consistent security in line with system settings.

How it works

1. Enable and access: Private Album shows up in the Gallery menu on One UI 8.5 builds, evolving from an earlier Labs flag that exposed the feature to testers on One UI 8.
2. Move items: Select one or more photos/videos, tap More, and choose “Move to Private Album” to hide them from standard views while retaining local control.
3. View and unhide: Open Private Album, authenticate, and move items back to regular albums when needed, maintaining a reversible, in‑app workflow.

Privacy and security

1. Local protection: Items in Private Album are gated behind authentication and do not appear in the main feed, albums, or casual in‑app searches until the album is unlocked.
2. Reduced exposure: This helps prevent accidental reveals during impromptu phone hand‑offs, screen‑shares, or TV casting sessions where sensitive images might otherwise surface.
3. Share‑on‑demand: Hidden items can still be exported or shared post‑unlock, preserving user control without forcing a separate workspace for routine privacy.

Use‑case scenarios

1. Personal media: Hide family photos, IDs, or travel documents captured as images to keep them from appearing during casual Gallery browsing.
2. Social media drafts: Keep unposted edits and reels private until ready to publish, maintaining clean separation from everyday camera roll items.
3. Work snapshots: Lock whiteboard captures or site photos quickly while retaining immediate access for later sharing or annotation.

Controls and customization

1. Lock method: Choose device PIN, pattern, password, or biometrics, leveraging existing authentication for speed and familiarity.
2. Album visibility: Private Album stays hidden in the Gallery UI until explicitly opened and unlocked, avoiding accidental exposure in standard views.
3. Evolving options: Coverage suggests Gallery will continue to gain organizational and privacy tweaks (e.g., new Collections), implying future refinements to Private Album controls after launch.

Practical benefits

1. Faster privacy workflow: Hide and retrieve content entirely within Gallery without duplicating files or switching to Secure Folder for everyday scenarios.
2. Safer sharing moments: Reduce the risk of sensitive items appearing when showing recent photos to friends or colleagues on the same device.
3. Cleaner camera roll: Keep the main feed focused on current, shareable media, improving browsing and edit sessions in day‑to‑day use.

Limitations and caveats

1. Not a full sandbox: For adversarial or compliance‑driven contexts, Secure Folder’s isolated workspace remains the recommended choice over in‑app hiding.
2. Backup behavior may vary: Cloud sync and device‑to‑device transfer handling for Private Album can differ by service; review behavior before relying on long‑term backups.
3. Labs lineage: Because the feature originated in Gallery Labs, parity and behavior may evolve as One UI 8.5 rolls out widely and Samsung iterates via Gallery updates.

Compatibility and rollout

1. Expected availability: Reports indicate Private Album will debut publicly with One UI 8.5 after its stint in Labs, arriving first on devices eligible for the update.
2. Device scope and timing: Newer S‑series, Z‑series, and select A‑series models are typical recipients for major One UI point updates, with timing varying by region and carrier.
3. Post‑release evolution: Samsung often refines Gallery features via app updates, so Private Album capabilities and settings could expand after the initial rollout.

Where to find it

1. Access path: Gallery app > Menu > Private Album, then authenticate to view, manage, or unhide locked media within the same app context.
2. Hide path: Select media > More > Move to Private Album, confirming removal from the main feed while keeping local control and easy retrieval.
3. Settings surface: Gallery settings may include Private Album preferences and explanatory help entries, consistent with how Labs exposed the feature in One UI 8.

Best practices

1. Use biometrics for speed: Fingerprint unlock offers quick, repeatable access to hidden items while maintaining basic privacy protections.
2. Separate high‑risk items: Keep IDs, contracts, or medical files in Secure Folder to benefit from stronger isolation where policy or personal risk tolerance demands it.
3. Review sync/backup: Confirm how Private Album media is treated by Samsung Cloud or third‑party backups and adjust settings before device migrations.

Admin and enterprise

1. BYOD guidance: Recommend Private Album for light personal privacy and Secure Folder for corporate or regulated data on managed Galaxy devices.
2. Policy stance: Enforce Secure Folder usage for sensitive workflows through MDM when compliance standards require workspace isolation and stricter auditability.
3. User education: Clarify the difference between in‑app hiding and sandbox isolation so staff understand which tool to use for each data sensitivity level.

Troubleshooting

1. Private Album missing: Update the Gallery app and system components, verify One UI version and region, and note that earlier access required enabling Gallery Labs on One UI 8.
2. Can’t move items: Check file locations and permissions; if errors persist, try copying first, then select More > Move to Private Album from within Gallery.
3. Unlock issues: Re‑enroll biometrics or confirm device credentials, falling back to PIN/password when fingerprint or face unlock encounters errors.

Conclusion

One UI 8.5’s Private Album finally brings a first‑party, locked media space to Samsung’s Gallery, streamlining day‑to‑day privacy with simple hide/unhide actions and device‑level authentication inside the app that most Galaxy owners already use. For sensitive or regulated content, Secure Folder remains the safer choice, but Private Album addresses the frequent, practical need to keep personal media out of sight without the overhead of switching workspaces or duplicating files.