Help Is there any way to "lock" a file (write-protect) in Samsung Galaxy S4?

[Android Question]

I'm trying to figure out if there's there any way to "lock" a file so it can't be accidentally deleted (i.e., "write-protect" a file). I'm using a Samsung Galaxy S4, KitKat 4.2.2.

I've used this option on previous phones, but I can't seem to find it anywhere on my S4. I assumed there'd be a way to do this, but I'm just not finding it. Am I missing something?

For example in my old LG phone, you could select a photo file, or even multiple files at a time, and the menu showed you an option called "lock". It didn't render the file hidden or password protected. You just couldn't delete it, unless you actively "unlocked" the file, by reversing the steps you took when you locked it.

This basically made impossible to accidentally unlock & delete a file, even via the most skilled butt dialing, or a little kid pushing random buttons, etc.

Any suggestions...?

 

[electricpete]

Root explorer pro (paid) will do that (select file, then select "permissions"). It seems to require root access.
I'm sure there are free and non-root ways to do it, but that's the only way I know.

 

[girolez]

Hi

I dont think you can without rooting the phone, as electricpete said. As always, the best way to protect data (what if you lost the phone?) is to back it up OFF the device.

Roger

 

[funkylogik]

Must have been a manufacturer feature?