In today’s digital age, ensuring the security and privacy of your mobile device is crucial. With the increasing risk of hacking and privacy breaches, many users resort to third-party applications to secure their personal data. However, using these third-party apps can sometimes expose your phone to more risks, including malware and unauthorised access. This article will explore two hidden mobile settings that can significantly enhance your security without needing any third-party apps.
1. Securing Photos and Videos Without Third-Party Apps
Most people use third-party apps to lock their gallery and secure personal photos and videos. While this may seem like a good solution, it can draw unnecessary attention to the fact that you’re hiding something. Additionally, third-party apps can sometimes be vulnerable to hacks, which could lead to serious breaches of privacy. Here’s how you can secure your media files using built-in settings on your phone without needing external apps.
Steps to Secure Photos and Videos:
- Access Device Storage: Open your file manager and navigate to the folder where your sensitive photos and videos are stored.
- Move to Hidden Section: Mark the files you wish to secure and move them to a hidden folder. Here’s how you do it:
- Go to the device storage.
- Open the “Media” section.
- Create a hidden folder and paste the files there.
- Verify in Gallery: Once moved, return to your gallery. You’ll notice that the selected photos and videos are no longer visible. Even if someone tries to access your gallery using another app, these files won’t show up.
- Retrieve Hidden Files: To retrieve these files, simply navigate back to the hidden folder in the file manager and move them back to their original location. Your media will now appear in the gallery again.
By utilising this simple trick, you can secure your private photos and videos without alerting others that you’re hiding something. This method offers 100% security, and no third-party application will be able to access these hidden files.
2. Securing Apps with Hidden Dial Pad Code
Another hidden feature that enhances mobile security involves securing sensitive apps, particularly online payment apps, using a hidden dial pad code. In today’s world, online payment apps like Google Pay or any banking apps hold sensitive data that can be easily exploited if accessed by the wrong person. Instead of using a visible lock or third-party apps, you can hide these apps and only access them through a secret code dialled on the keypad.
Steps to Secure Apps Using Hidden Dial Pad Code:
- Access Mobile Settings: Open your phone’s settings and search for the “Hide Apps” option. You can find this feature under settings like “Privacy,” “Security,” or directly through the search bar.
- Select the Apps to Hide: Once you access the Hide Apps section, select the payment or any other sensitive apps you want to secure. For example, Google Pay or other financial apps. These apps will now be hidden from the main app drawer and will not be visible to anyone casually scrolling through your phone.
- Set Up a Secret Dial Code: After hiding the apps, you will be prompted to create a secret dial pad code. This code will act as the key to access the hidden apps.
- For example, you can set the code as #1234#, which will be entered into the phone’s dial pad to reveal the hidden apps.
- Make sure you remember this code, as it will be the only way to retrieve the apps.
- Testing the Security: After setting up the hidden code, go back to the home screen and open the app drawer. The hidden apps will not be visible. To access them, open the dial pad, enter your secret code, and the apps will appear.
- Deactivating the Hidden Code: If you ever want to undo this feature, go back to the settings and turn off the hidden app functionality by entering the same dial pad code or resetting the password. You can also change the code if needed by following the same steps.
This hidden dial pad feature adds an extra layer of security, ensuring that no one can access your sensitive apps, even if they have access to your phone. It’s especially useful for protecting financial apps from friends or family members who might glance at your screen while you’re using them.
Why These Tricks Are More Secure Than Third-Party Apps
Using these built-in features ensures a higher level of security because:
- No Third-Party Access: Unlike external apps, which require access to your files or apps, these settings utilize your phone’s own security features. This limits the risk of breaches.
- Discreet Security: These features don’t draw attention to the fact that certain files or apps are hidden, unlike third-party apps, which often come with visible locks or alerts that scream “something is hidden here.”
- No Extra Storage or Permissions Required: Third-party apps often require access to your storage, gallery, and other sensitive areas of your phone. The built-in settings use no extra storage and require no additional permissions.
Conclusion
Ensuring mobile security doesn’t have to rely on risky third-party applications. By using your phone’s built-in features, you can protect your personal media and sensitive apps discreetly and securely. With tricks like moving files to hidden folders and using secret dial codes to hide apps, you can significantly reduce the risk of privacy breaches. These are simple yet powerful tools that most users aren’t even aware of, but they can be game-changers in keeping your mobile data safe.
By following these methods, you ensure that your personal information is secure without compromising the functionality or performance of your phone
