After Google Photos introduced cross-device syncing last year, you can now access your locked folder much more easily on Android and iOS.
Previously, you could access the locked folder by opening Google Photos, going to the Library tab, tapping Tools in the top-right corner of the 2×2 grid, and scrolling to the Organize your library heading.
Now, “Locked” appears right next to Favorites, Archive, and Trash for much quicker access. The old approach made the Locked folder’s existence less obvious, which had its advantages. That said, Google Photos on the web puts the private folder right in the navigation drawer.
Old versus new
Much of the functionality in Utilities, which served as an information dump, has been moved to the “plus” tab in the app bar. There you’ll find Create New — Album, Collage, Highlight Video, Cinematic Photo, Animation and Photo Books, prints, and more — and Get Photos, with shortcuts for Share with a Partner and Import from Other Places.
This new location for the Google Photos locked folder has rolled out on Android (version 6.89) and iOS.
In the meantime, the Google Photos Library tab will remain. Google is testing a redesign of Collections that will make accessing your library, particularly folders on your device, a bit more cumbersome.
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