Details have emerged about a new but unreleased privacy feature for Android 15 called Private Space, which appears to offer a separate locked profile to keep your private data and apps safe.
Android Authority‘s detailed analysis of the most recent Android 14 quarterly platform releases highlights how the feature could work if and when it rolls out to devices.
Initially, it was assumed that this is how Private Space functioned Samsung’s secure folder by giving you one special folder where you can store files. However, it appears to be much more than that: it creates a secure profile on your device to not only store files, but also hide selected apps and notifications unless it is explicitly unlocked. The profile can be hidden at any time and requires biometrics or a PIN, pattern or password to gain access once it is set up.
Android Authority has also spotted setup screens for the new feature – these will appear after a new OS update or the loss of the Pixel feature to guide users through setting up new features.
The first of these setup screens recommends that you create a new, separate Google account for using Private Space. This allows you to keep apps and their data separate from your main Google account running on your Android device.
More importantly, it prevents data associated with the private Google account, such as synced photos, files, emails, contacts, calendar events, or information such as app download history, browsing history, bookmarks, saved passwords, and suggested content will appear in your main Google account.
Another setup screen explains that users don’t need to download Google Play for their Private Space profile, as it appears to already have a separate Play Store installed. However, this is separate from the Play Store and Google account normally associated with your device.
It is currently unclear whether the apps already paid for by Google’s main account will appear in the private space. However, this is unlikely as these two Google accounts should not remain connected to keep all associated data safe.
It’s been a while since I checked out Android 15’s new Private Space feature, which is essentially Google’s version of Samsung’s Secure Folder. Since I last discussed it, Google has updated the settings and added two new settings. Full details + screenshots👇https://t.co/Yb1I4a6r2NApril 3, 2024
Apparently, if you use a separate Google Account in Private Space, you can download and hide apps that you don’t want anyone else using your phone to see or use. The installation messages also explain that your Private Room cannot be transferred to another device and that if you use it on another device, you will need to go through the installation process again.
It also warns that connecting your Android device to a PC may give access to your private space, meaning Android 15 will also attempt to verify your identity when connected to a PC.
You’ll also be asked whether you want to use your existing lock screen or set up a new one, possibly with a different PIN, pattern or password, or register a new fingerprint.
Control your private space
According to Android Authority, Once set up, you can access the settings for your Private Room by going to Settings > Security & Privacy > Private Room. Here you can select your lock screen, prevent notifications from showing on the lock screen, and select when you want to automatically lock your Private Room. You can also prevent Private Space from appearing in your app list when it is locked, or you can delete the current Private Space.
Private Space is expected to be part of the full Android 15 release, which we could see hitting devices around August to October. However, due to its strong integration with the Pixel Launcher, it could be a Google Pixel exclusive feature for now.
If Private Space does indeed come with Android 15, we expect we’ll learn more about it, as well as other new Android features, in the near future. Google I/O 2024 event on May 14.