Are these app updates coming from secure folder?

[Atsirt]

So i have yet to remove certain apps from the secure folder on my S22 5G running Android 14. However, I long press on the app I want to move out of the folder and i only get disable(greyed out) and hide (selectable), so I'm at a loss there 🤷‍♀️ if anyone can tell me what I'm doing wrong id appreciate it😁 my main question is that i have apps that are somehow installing updates on my phone. When i go to the Google Play store it says there's are no available updates, I can't find a copy of the playstore in the secure folder either.... What could this be from and how do I put a stop to it?

[RedDogRabbit]

In the Secure Folder, the apps that are initially installed there are only System Apps, which cannot be Uninstalled. You can only Uninstall the Secure Folder, which will then Uninstall the Apps within the Secure Folder.

As an example, I added a user installed app to the Secure Folder, which can be Uninstalled from the Secure Folder. 

"CPU X" in this instance. 

 

In order to see the Play Store in the Secure Folder, you would have to Sign in to it with a Work Email address. If you don't have a work email address, then you won't see the Play Store inside the Secure Folder, but you can add User apps that you download from the Play Store / Galaxy Store from OUTSIDE the Secure Folder to the Secure Folder. 

 

I don't know if this helps to answer your questions? 

[Al-001]

Somehow, after an app is uninstalled from a secure folder, then when you reinstall it again, it will be automatically installed into a secure folder again.
If you want to reinstall the app into an unsecured folder, the better way to do it is : 1. Keeping the app in a secure folder at meanwhile. 2. Install the app again, and then the system will install it into an unsecured folder, open itand make sure it works as expected. 3. Now uninstalled the app from the secure folder.

[RedDogRabbit]

The System doesn't install User installed apps to the Secure Folder automatically. 

You need to add them yourself.

If you added a User app to the Secure Folder & Uninstall it from the Secure Folder, it remains outside the Secure Folder.

In either case, you can not Uninstall System Apps (without Root), the best you can do is disable them, through either Settings > Apps (not all can be disabled this way), or with adb or a package disabler. 

[Al-001]

"If you added a User app to the Secure Folder & Uninstall it from the Secure Folder, it remains outside the Secure Folder." Somehow, it is not on my s23u.

[Atsirt]

I haven't added any user apps to secure folder cause I dislike it a lot yet there are many apps in there that I have downloaded from the play store. I've had this S22 since its release, I have over 1000 apps now, i need to start utilizing my play store wishlist instead. My phone is in need of a factory reset for sure. A fresh start. Can I not have secure folder on my phone if I start fresh with my phone?

[RedDogRabbit]

Of course you can have the Secure Folder after a Factory Reset. 

The only Apps in my Secure Folder are some System Apps. 

You can Uninstall the Secure Folder as well, and Reinstall it as many times as you want... or you can just Uninstall the Secure Folder & not have it at all. It's entirely up to you. 

[Atsirt]

Ok, another question, does an app going into the secure folder take up twice the memory on my phone? For example, let's say I download an app that takes up 1GB of memory once installed. Then it gets copied into my secure folder. Is it still only 1 GB that's taking up memory or does it now become 2 GB taking up memory because there are two copies of the 1GB app on my phone?

[RedDogRabbit]

Yes, apps in the Secure Folder are completely separate from apps outside the Secure Folder. 

So you would likely double the storage space used. 

With the System Apps in the Secure Folder in the first screen shot, they use roughly 2 Gig more Storage space. (exclude CPU X as it is tiny). 

 

[Atsirt]

Okay, so how do I backup my phone, contacts, apps, etc and then factory restart without it being an all day ordeal? Lol i can choose which apps from my backup I want to reinstall right? So that not all 1000+ apps reinstall? Its been a while since I've done this