Background usage of secure folder.

[darkwraith_]

Is it just mine or is it for everyone? After I lock my phone & wait for a few seconds, there will be sometimes one sometimes 3 to 4 apps running in the background like it won't show in background activities but can be seen in recent apps. It just feel like someone's monitoring what's in my secure folder constantly. I mean secure folder is where i store my personal data like pictures & files that are too important & private. Well activities like these can make me doubt if those are safe or not... I can't turn off background run of secure folder either because I use separate WhatsApp & Instagram in it.

Samsung, if you're seeing this, reply please. I don't know if its a bug or if i got hacked or something. 

[darkwraith_]

There's more to it. Some apps like camera & gallery are apps i don't want to be used in the background. So I restrict background activities on those apps by restricting background battery usage. Right after a few days, sometimes hours, it went back to the optimised option. I didn't turn it on myself but my phone did. How does these things happen automatically??

Camera was restricted yesterday by me. Now its optimised & about gallery, I restricted it today again right before the above complaint. I've shared a screenshot of those.

On the optimised option, it says based on my usage, "my usage". I rarely use camera in the secure folder.🫡

[Samsung_specialist]

Thank you for sharing your concern regarding Secure Folder behavior.

We understand your concern about background activity and privacy. Kindly note that Secure Folder is a Samsung Knox–secured environment designed to protect your data with defense-grade security. The behavior you are noticing does not indicate that your device is being monitored or hacked.

Regarding your observations:

• Apps appearing in recent apps:
  Some applications inside Secure Folder may briefly appear in recent apps due to system processes maintaining app state or syncing data. This is normal behavior and does not mean they are actively running or accessing your data continuously.
• Background usage and battery optimization reset:
  The system may automatically adjust app battery settings (such as switching from “Restricted” to “Optimized”) based on usage patterns and system performance requirements. This is part of Android system management to ensure app stability and proper functionality, especially for apps like WhatsApp or Instagram that rely on background services.
• To manage this behavior, you may try the following:
  
  1. Go to Settings > Battery and device care > Battery > Background usage limits, and review sleeping or restricted apps
  2. Reapply “Restricted” settings for specific apps if needed
  3. Ensure your device is updated to the latest software version
  4. Restart the device after making changes
  5. Please be assured that Secure Folder remains encrypted and isolated from the rest of the system, and your personal data inside it is protected.

If you continue to experience unusual behavior or have concerns, we recommend visiting the nearest service center for a full device check:
https://www.samsung.com/ae/support/service-center/ 

[darkwraith_]

I appreciate your valuable feedback and I'm glad the suggestions were helpful. It's always rewarding to assist in finding effective solutions. I look forward to hearing about your progress and any further insights you gain. Your dedication to implementing these tips is commendable. Let's continue this journey of improvement together.

[darkwraith_]

I have a question... Is there a way I can turn off certain apps from running in the background? Like in the secure folder? If there is, I would like hear about it.

[Samsung_specialist]

Thank you for contacting Samsung Gulf Electronics.

We understand your concern regarding background activity inside Secure Folder and the behavior of apps running or re-enabling in the background. Please be assured that Secure Folder is protected by Samsung Knox security, and this behavior does not indicate that your device is being monitored or hacked. Your data remains encrypted and secure.

Regarding your inquiry about controlling background activity:
• Some apps (such as WhatsApp or Instagram) may still run partially in the background to maintain essential functions like notifications and syncing.
• The system may automatically change app battery settings from Restricted to Optimized to ensure proper performance and prevent app malfunction.
You can try the following to limit background activity:
• Go to Settings > Battery and device care > Battery > Background usage limits
• Add apps to Sleeping apps or Deep sleeping apps
• Manually set apps to Restricted, but note that the system may override this in some cases
• Disable Auto optimization (if available) under battery settings
• Lock Secure Folder and avoid running apps before locking to minimize background processes

Kindly note that completely preventing certain apps from running in the background may affect their functionality.
If you continue to notice unusual behavior, please contact us for further assistance:
https://www.samsung.com/ae/support/contact/