I've created on my desktop a shortcut to a project folder on my SD card. Can anyone recommend an app that will let me set up a password for that folder?
I'm not looking to encrypt all the data in the folder, I just want password-restricted access to it. I can't find anything suitable in The Market.
Thanks.
If it's not encrypted, then its not protected.
Really, seriously, utterly, there is no way at all that you can "protect" a folder on an SD card other than encrypting the contents. Other apps, will always be able to access it, and, equally, anyone could take the card out and stick it in a PC card reader.
I appreciate that, and that's fine! I'm not looking for total protection from access, either through SD card reading or via apps. I'm just looking for password-restricted access when accessed through the desktop shortcut.
SmartLock will let you lock your photos/videos, as well as apps and such but I don't think it does folders. The best you could probably do would be to hide the folders using SmartLock or a similar app along those lines.
Yes, I have discovered SmartLock, thanks. But I have to say I'm not a fan at all of the whole mentality with mobile phones that data is split into storage of photos, videos, "music", etc, in separate locations and treated separately.
The folder in question contains mp3, pdf, jpg, xls and doc files.
Hiding the folder would be completely against what I'm trying to do, which is to have a clearly visible, easily accessible desktop shortcut. I guess basically I'm looking for the Android equivalent of a zip file with password.
AidanBell said:
I've created on my desktop a shortcut to a project folder on my SD card.
. . .
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When you write desktop, do you mean homescreen or as a network shortcut on your PC? If the latter you can use the desktop's OS to protect the link.
AidanBell said:
. . . I guess basically I'm looking for the Android equivalent of a zip file with password.
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Click to collapse
Wouldn't the Android equivalent be a zip file with a password? ES File Explorer is free and supports password protected archives.
Sorry, terminology!
Yes, I mean the home screen on my Streak (or strictly speaking one of them!).
I already have and use ES File Explorer, that's how I created the Homescreen shortcut!
So if it turns out that what I'm looking for is already a feature of that program, then how's that for irony!
Glad you've found a solution that works for you, but... you do know that password protected zipfiles are encrypted,
jim-bo said:
Glad you've found a solution that works for you...
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Thank you, but regrettably I haven't.
When you zip a folder it of course creates a copy of that folder, zipped, which is not what I want at all. I'm amazed that what I do want doesn't seem to be readily available; in order to open a folder you have to enter a simple password, and then you're in the folder. Simple as that ...
AidanBell said:
Thank you, but regrettably I haven't.
When you zip a folder it of course creates a copy of that folder, zipped, which is not what I want at all. I'm amazed that what I do want doesn't seem to be readily available; in order to open a folder you have to enter a simple password, and then you're in the folder. Simple as that ...
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Click to collapse
Well, part of the reason that nobody makes such an app / feature, is that it is pretty much the equivalent of selling a security system for your house that consists of a door that doesn't lock, with a sign on it saying "no unauthorized entry". It really offers no actual protection at all.
That being said, what you're trying to achieve sounds more like you want to protect an app / shortcut on your launcher screen, rather than protecting the folder itself
Take a look at something like https://market.android.com/details?id=com.sp.protector.free&feature=search_result (I searched for password any app, if you want to see other options). It may let you achieve what you're after.
Thanks for your thoughts. To use your analogy, yes; I do indeed want the sign that says "no unauthorized entry" but I don't want the door to be locked. Precisely!
Perhaps I should explain my situation more closely. I'm taking my Streak in to meetings with colleagues who will also make use of it. All I want is to prevent casual non-malicious access of the folder by other people. I neither need nor want encryption or strong security, I just want that tiny bit of difficulty, the little hint that says "you're not supposed to be doing this".
Thanks for your thoughts.
Using your own analogy; yes, that's exactly what I do want; the sign says, "no unauthorized entry", but the door remains unlocked!
Let me explain. I take my Streak in to meetings where it is also used by other people. What I want to prevent is non-malicious, accidental access by others. I want a gentle hint, not a 100% secure lock-out or data encryption, just a little kick that says "you're not supposed to be doing this".
Smart App Protector would be ideal if it would protect a folder. It's exactly what I want, but I need it for for folders, not apps.
You said that you wanted the prompt to come up when you hit an icon on your desktop - that would be app-protection, or shortcut protection, since it is the launch of the app / shortcut that causes the password prompt.
If you are saying that you are already in a file browser, and you want the prompt to pop up when you choose a certain folder to enter, then you are going to need to find a file browser that supports protecting or "hiding" folders, since it will have to be a direct function of the file browser app itself. I'm afraid that I don't know of any that offer anything like that feature.
To be absolutely clear, there are no features or functions in an SD card filesystem that will allow this sort of security flagging, and to do it at the OS level would involve some relatively low level dalvik / libc / kernel patching, which would require root, a custom ROM, and quite possibly end up being device specific, which explains why you can't find anything in the market.
I seem to manage to make a habit of this: There are literally tens of thousands of available apps that do everything under the sun. Yet the simple, not unique or unusual, function that I'm after isn't available! Oh well, many thanks for your kind help nevertheless.
AidanBell said:
I seem to manage to make a habit of this: There are literally tens of thousands of available apps that do everything under the sun. Yet the simple, not unique or unusual, function that I'm after isn't available! Oh well, many thanks for your kind help nevertheless.
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Unfortunately, this one isn't simple (you are asking for a low-level redesign of the security model), and while it may not be uniquem it is something that not many people would want - referring back to the previous metaphor, how many people would buy a front door with no lock, just a keep out sign, really? Especially once they learned that burglars can't always read...
But if I ever do come across anything that might help, I'll definitely let you know
AidanBell said:
Thank you, but regrettably I haven't.
When you zip a folder it of course creates a copy of that folder, zipped, which is not what I want at all. I'm amazed that what I do want doesn't seem to be readily available; in order to open a folder you have to enter a simple password, and then you're in the folder. Simple as that ...
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Click to collapse
Can't you then delete the folder and use the zip. When you tap on the zip you can see the file names, but to open a file you need the PW. Not ideal since ES Fie Explorer doesn't support copying directly to a zip file, but it is as close as you can get, I think.
Edit: I don't usually put shortcuts to things I don't want others peeking at on the homescreen.
The Android OS (latest release 4.0.3 and all previous releases) is missing an important function which is found on a Windows PC. That is creating a shortcut on the Home Screen/Desktop pointing to a folder or a file. A shortcut enables a single press or mouse click to open a folder containing many files organized for a specific purpose. Without a shortcut function in the Android OS, you must open a File Manager app and then manually search for the folder or file that you want. This can be a frustrating process every time you want to open something.
The most common shortcut found on a Windows PC is for My Documents. Another shortcut many folks create is for a specific folder or file for a job/project.
The following process can be used on an Android phone or tablet.
I have found two FREE apps in the Market that will create a shortcut on the desktop. The first one is Linda File Manager which can be found here:
https://market.android.com/details?...xLDEsImNvbS5saW5kYWFuZG55LmxpbmRhbWFuYWdlciJd
In my example I will create a shortcut on the desktop for a folder called DOCUMENTS. The steps to create a shortcut for a folder are:
1. Open Linda File Manager. Notice the default directory which is /mnt/sdcard. If you wish to create a shortcut to an external storage you must change the path to /Removable (for ICS).
2. Long Press the folder that you want to create the shortcut for. In my example DOCUMENTS.
3. A popup menu will appear. Select Create shortcut. It’s that simple.
The second app that I found that will create a short on the desktop is File Expert. This FREE app can be found here in the Market:
https://market.android.com/details?...t#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsInhjeGluLmZpbGV4cGVydCJd
In my example I will create a shortcut on the desktop for a folder called DOCUMENTS. The steps to create a shortcut for a folder are:
1. Open File Expert. Notice the default directory which is /mnt/sdcard. If you wish to create a shortcut to an external storage you must change the path to /Removable (for ICS).
2. Long Press the folder that you want to create the shortcut for. In my example DOCUMENTS.
3. A popup menu will appear. Select MORE. Next select Create shortcut on Desktop.
I am sure there are other apps that can do a similar function but I am not aware of them.
works in ES file explorer in the same way. Just go the the folder you want to create the shortcut to and long press.
Or Astro....works quite well too....
Thanks for the thread. I didn't realize there was the ability to do this. I use root explorer but cannot find a way with that program so I guess I will be using something else.
Evo_Shift said:
Thanks for the thread. I didn't realize there was the ability to do this.
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Your welcome. To me, this is a basic function that should be included in the OS. Maybe a future release of ICS will have it
+1 for es file explorer. Best ecplorer for tablets!
Wysłane z mojego Transformer Prime TF201 za pomocą Tapatalk
HD File Manager also does the same. I believe it is better suited for a tablet screen as well. Makes good use of the space and a lot of great functionality.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
Androids designers did kinda have a desire for looking at the file system to be kept to a minimum for users. That's why you see a file manager in Cyanogen Mod but not AOSP.
And ASUS gave us one with missing features lol.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk
Red One said:
HD File Manager also does the same. I believe it is better suited for a tablet screen as well. Makes good use of the space and a lot of great functionality.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
I prefer File Manager HD (Honeycomb) for ALL of my file management stuff. It has an excellent BOOKMARKS section which allows me to point to my custom directories.
I am using the Linda File Manager ONLY to create shortcuts on the home screen.
Is there a way to make shortcut for a lan share?
+1 for ES File explorer
How do people make a shortcut to a file on their Desktop using ES File Explorer when using sftp or Windows share. Everyone seems to thinks it works just fine. The only thing I know to do is make folder shortcut.. which isnt what I want.
I didn't know that.
I am going to test it.
Thanks
es file folder +1
Red One said:
HD File Manager also does the same. I believe it is better suited for a tablet screen as well. Makes good use of the space and a lot of great functionality.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
I see that it says it's capable of doing it in the description, but for the life of me I can't figure it out. With ES it was so simple, I don't mind a little work, and I really enjoy CM other software. I would be so thankful If you could explain this process to me. Also, does it add it to the home page of the CM launcher? I would imagine they work together, I've got the cleaner, the battery doctor, security, the browser, the launcher(testing), and everything else is seamless. I really appreciate the help, I feel really stupid for not figuring it out.
Edit: I might have it, adding the PDF files as bookmarks, is that it? Where are the bookmarks now? Also, if any of that other software is pointless let me know? Thanks again!
Just for S&G I have a ZTE Zmax with KitKat 4.4.4
---------- Post added at 05:21 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:16 AM ----------
mkanet said:
How do people make a shortcut to a file on their Desktop using ES File Explorer when using sftp or Windows share. Everyone seems to thinks it works just fine. The only thing I know to do is make folder shortcut.. which isnt what I want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With ES all you have to do is long press the file you want, then when the options come up select more(bottom right side I think) and the is a choice to add to desktop. From there you can move that icon to any of your desktop screens. Hope that helps!
Hello Folks,
This is my first post. I'm a vivid reader of your forum and generally really like in-depth advice is given around here.
Hopefully, there's also a solution for what I'm going to describe now.
I know that there are quite a few users that would like to use Smart Select more efficiently, so I hope that my idea can break the ice.
My Device: Android 10 based Note 9 device, non-root.
I want to be able to use Samsung Smart Select to crop an image and save it to clipboard.
I already tried to share it with the clipboard with third-party apps but it seems Samsung Smart Select doesn't utilize the clipboard.
Apparently, the only working option is to save the picture to the gallery.
In many cases just saving to the clipboard is not supported by Smart Select. Say I want to add a file to a folder in One Note.
Smart Select only allows me to add what's cropped to a new note and not to an already existing one.
Now that I couldn't find another way to do it, I thought to myself, is it possible to use tasker to automate the following steps?
1. Crop with Smart Select and normally safe/share to a specific predefined folder.
2. Let Tasker add the newest file in that folder to the clipboard.
3. I can just paste whatever is in the clipboard in any given app.
If that works, can someone tell me how to do that, please?
Best,
Mario
Hi all, when I attach an image in my web browser, (doesn't seem to matter which browser) or where I previously attached an image from, when I select browse, from the but that says "select image" it always opens the same folder, is there anyway to set it to default from the top level where you choose whether Pixel 6, recent, attached cloud accounts, etc please? It's a pain keep having you navigate back from the same folder every time.
pretty sure android 12 restricts where you can read/save things from apps.
its a "security" feature.
so no more custom download folders outside of the oem "download" dir.
some much old apps still dont follow the rules for android 12 and that's allowed it seems.( for the time being)
but no updated apps should encourage you read/save things anywhere you like.
i could be wrong but that was how it was explained to me
nutzfreelance said:
pretty sure android 12 restricts where you can read/save things from apps.
its a "security" feature.
so no more custom download folders outside of the oem "download" dir.
some much old apps still dont follow the rules for android 12 and that's allowed it seems.( for the time being)
but no updated apps should encourage you read/save things anywhere you like.
i could be wrong but that was how it was explained to me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This isn't to download, this folder is the one which opens when I want to upload a file, for example I use Facebook in the browser rather than the app and it always opens this folder when I want to upload a photo and I don't want it to be this one.
3dd1 said:
This isn't to download, this folder is the one which opens when I want to upload a file, for example I use Facebook in the browser rather than the app and it always opens this folder when I want to upload a photo and I don't want it to be this one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
up or down newer android wants to restrict where apps read or write.
where you start out is where they want you to put stuff for that app.
nutzfreelance said:
up or down newer android wants to restrict where apps read or write.
where you start out is where they want you to put stuff for that app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But this folder it chooses is on my OneDrive account, lol
3dd1 said:
But this folder it chooses is on my OneDrive account, lol
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is it Microsoft software? or affiliated?
It's the Microsoft OneDrive app I use, it defaults to opening from there.