Encrypt folders on Android

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Thanks to one reporting on our group Telegram we thought we'd create an article to talk a little about cryptography. More precisely we will see how simple it is to encrypt folders on Android so as not to let anyone look inside. Without needing to be spies or experts.

Encrypting a specific folder is very important. Although files on Android are encrypted ¹, if someone gets hold of your unlocked cell phone (or if they know your PIN for some reason) they can easily access any file.

Lock apps with a PIN

Some applications, let's think for example Bitwarden, allow them to be locked and can only be opened via PIN or fingerprint.

Others, like Firefox Focus, allow you to navigate and protect your navigation via PIN or fingerprint. You therefore do not have to be afraid that someone will pick up your mobile phone and discover the sites you have visited.

But what about the folders and files present? What we present below will be exclusively solutions Open source!

Encrypt folders on Android

Cryptomator

Open source

It's the first program that comes to mind. AND Open source ² but not completely free, for example to use it on Android you will have to pay around €10. On desktop, however, it is free. Cryptomator but it really does much more than you can imagine. We've already talked about it if you remember: Cryptomator Indeed It also allows you to encrypt files on any cloud! Available on iOS, on Google Play (you can also download the APK without going through Google Play) and also for desktop.

DroidFS

Open source

It's an application Open source ³ very interesting landed not too long ago also on F-Droid. It allows you to encrypt any folder inside your smartphone. You just have to decide which one and set a password. This will create an encrypted volume that no one can decrypt except you. Download on F-Droid.

1. Encryption on Android[↩]
2. Cryptomator on GitHub[↩]
3. DroidFS on GitHub[↩]

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