A .nomedia file on Android is a blank file folder to hide all media present in a particular folder the .nomedia file is placed. This “.nomedia” file extension on Android is a file that has to be created manually if you want to hide all media in a certain folder. Since this has to be done manually, here in this guide you will learn how to create .nomedia file on Android using ES File Explorer App.
You can use the .nomedia file to hide sensitive images, videos, music, etc on your Android phone without using an app.
We all know that you can use some Android apps to hide and lock your Android phone apps and hide sensitive information from 3rd party. However, the “.nomedia” file extension creates a handy approach to hide files on Android without leaving a trace to an expert as to why the folder doesn’t contain the information it’s supposed to contain.
Here in this post, your attention will be drawn to how to create a .nomedia file on Android and how to use it to hide folder contents without using an app to do so and without deleting the folder’s content.
Note: You will face the reality when your delete .nomedia file name from the media folder and all hide files such as pictures, videos, etc will be available back in your phone gallery, video players, etc.
How to Create .Nomedia File
The app to create the “nomedia” file isn’t pre-installed on your Android. This implies that you need a 3rd-party app to create the file on your device. Therefore, in the course of how to create .nomedia file on Android in this guide, I’ll direct you to a link to download the 3rd-party app
- Download and install ES File Explorer (20MB File Size) on your Android phone. The app is available in the Google play store. You can also download the app APK. If you already have the ES file explorer installed on your phone kindly skip this step.
- Launch the “ES File Explorer” app from your app menu and navigate to the folder where you want to hide the folder’s contents using the .nomedia file.
- Tap on the ES File Explorer menu (3 dots to the upper right) and select New from the interface that comes up.
- Tap on new to pop up new folder name
- From the new popup click on File
- Type “.nomedia” without the quotes as the file name
- Press the “OK” button to finish creating the nomedia file
Now, if the folder’s contents didn’t disappear, refresh the folder and the information contained in the folder will be fully hidden.
How to Create .Nomedia File on PC
This filename is not limited to mobile alone. PC users such as Windows and Mac can also use their PC to create a .nomedia file name and then transfer it to their mobile phone.
- Launch Notepad or similar software on your PC. If the Notepad isn’t pinned to your PC toolbar, go to the search box and type “Notepad”, hit the search button and click on the “Notepad” icon to open it. For easy access in the future, you can just pin it to your toolbar.
- Make sure the “Notepad” is empty. That is, the Notepad doesn’t contain particular information (just an empty file). Click on the File >> save
- Go to the file directory and type “.nomedia” as the file name and click on the Save button. In the file type, make sure you select “All Files”
- Connect your smartphone to your PC using a USB and transfer the .nomedia file to your phone.
- Now, launch the ES File Explorer and copy the .nomedia file transferred from your PC to your phone to the folder where you want to restrict media scanning.
The .nomedia file restrict media scanning in any folder the file is placed. However, to make all the media file available in the folder visible, the .nomedia file has to be deleted.
Copy File Directory from another App
This approach is a bit tricky as you have to follow it to the core so you won’t miss single step doing it.
- Launch your app manager. If you have the ES file explorer installed it will help. And if you are using another file manager just open it.
- Go to this path ../sdcard/Andriod/data/.
- In the “data” folder copy the “.nomedia” file by pressing and holding it, select copy by clicking on the copy icon
- Now, go to the media folder and paste the copied .nomedia file. You can even create a new folder, move the media you want to hide, and then paste the nomedia file extension.
