Comparison
Cloakbox vs Google Locked Folder and Samsung Secure Folder
Both are built in and cost nothing. Locked Folder in Google Photos hides photos and videos behind your screen lock, with optional backup to your Google Account. Secure Folder on Samsung Galaxy phones isolates files and whole apps behind its own lock. If you already use Google Photos or own a supported Galaxy, one of them may be all you need. Cloakbox is for when you want a lock separate from the screen lock, documents and search, a recovery key, and the same vault on iPhone and Android.
| Feature | Locked Folder / Secure Folder | Cloakbox |
|---|---|---|
| Unlock | Locked Folder: the device screen lock (on iPhone: Face ID, Touch ID or the device passcode); anyone who knows the device lock can open it. Secure Folder: its own PIN, password or pattern, plus fingerprint on supported devices. | Its own PIN, Face ID or fingerprint |
| Forgotten lock | Secure Folder: reset through the Samsung account if that option was switched on; otherwise access is lost. | Recovery key, no e-mail needed |
| What it holds | Locked Folder: photos and videos only. Secure Folder: apps and files. | Photos, videos, PDFs and other documents |
| Search | Locked Folder: items do not appear in the Photos grid, memories, search or albums. | Search by description and by text inside, on the phone |
| Backup | Locked Folder: optional backup to your Google Account, counted toward its storage quota; items you do not back up are stored only on that device. Secure Folder: Samsung's US support page says backing up is no longer supported; earlier backups can still be restored. | Encrypted backup to your own iCloud or Google Drive (Premium) |
| New phone | Locked Folder: without backup, items are not transferred by cable or cloud device transfer. Secure Folder: moved with Smart Switch. | The recovery key restores the vault on a new phone. A backup does not cross between iPhone and Android yet. |
| Where it works | Locked Folder: Android 6 and later, iOS 15 and later, and Google Photos on a computer. Secure Folder: Samsung Galaxy only, and not on every model. | iPhone and Android |
| Account | Locked Folder: a Google Account; not available on fully managed devices and some account types. Secure Folder: Samsung's UK page says you need to sign in to or create a Samsung account; the US page says to sign in if needed. | None |
| Encryption | Secure Folder: Samsung says the Knox platform encrypts all data stored there. | Every file gets its own key (AES-256-GCM) |
| Cost | No price is stated for either. Backed-up Locked Folder items use Google storage quota. | Free up to 100 items, Premium for more |
Where Locked Folder / Secure Folder is the better choice
- Locked Folder: you already live in Google Photos and want free hiding with nothing to install, and optional backup to the Google Account you already use.
- Secure Folder: you want to isolate whole apps (a second messenger, a banking app, a browser), not only files. Cloakbox does not do this.
- Secure Folder: you own a supported Galaxy and want system-level, Knox-backed isolation with no item limit and nothing to buy.
Where Cloakbox is the better choice
- You want a lock that is not your screen lock. Locked Folder opens with the device lock, so anyone who knows it gets in; Cloakbox has its own PIN.
- You do not want the items to depend on one phone. Without backup, Locked Folder items are deleted by a factory reset, by clearing the app's data or by deleting the Photos app, and are lost with the phone. Cloakbox Premium keeps an encrypted backup in your own cloud, and the recovery key restores the vault on a new phone.
- You keep documents and want to find them. Cloakbox holds PDFs and other documents and searches by description and by text inside.
- You are not on a Galaxy, or you also use an iPhone. Cloakbox is made for iPhone and Android and needs no account.
Pricing
Locked Folder / Secure Folder
Neither Google nor Samsung states a price for the feature. Items you back up from Locked Folder count toward your Google storage quota.
Cloakbox
Free up to 100 items, with search, recovery key, trash and export included. Premium is $4.99 monthly, $19.99 yearly, or $39.99 once.
Sources
- Locked Folder on Android: unlock with the device screen lock, optional backup, device-only storage without backup, what happens on reset and on a new phone, exclusion from search, photos and videos only, account limits. https://support.google.com/photos/answer/10694388 (checked )
- Locked Folder on iPhone: iOS 15 and later, unlock with Face ID, Touch ID or the device passcode. https://support.google.com/photos/answer/10694388?co=GENIE.Platform%3DiOS (checked )
- Secure Folder: Knox encryption statement, Samsung account wording (UK), content, availability on Galaxy devices. https://www.samsung.com/uk/support/mobile-devices/what-is-the-secure-folder-and-how-do-i-use-it/ (checked )
- Secure Folder: lock types, reset through the Samsung account, backup no longer supported, Smart Switch, sign in if needed (US). https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS10001401/ (checked )