The release of Android 15 introduces a few useful new features, among which the “Private Space” stands out. This feature functions as a secured app vault, designed to lock away specified apps on an Android device.
While the device’s main lockscreen prevents unauthorized access, Private Space adds an additional layer of security. This is particularly useful when lending a phone for making a call or sharing a photo, as it ensures that others do not access sensitive information, either inadvertently or intentionally. It also serves as an extra safeguard should the phone be lost or stolen while unlocked.
The feature was tested on a Pixel 8 phone operating on Android 15. To access Private Space, users need to scroll to the bottom of the app drawer, tap the padlock icon, and authenticate using either a biometric method like fingerprint recognition or a PIN.
Within Private Space, apps cannot be simply dragged in or out; they must be installed afresh. This space operates almost like a separate Android device. To add apps, users should tap the “Install” button, and to remove them, a long press on the app icon followed by selecting “Uninstall” is required.
While it is possible to receive notifications from apps in Private Space, these are only accessible when the space is unlocked. Once locked, it functions akin to turning off a separate device. Therefore, Google advises against using it for apps that may need to send critical notifications.
The Private Space remains accessible in the app drawer once unlocked, until it is manually locked again via the “Lock” button. Automatic locking options and other configurations can be adjusted by selecting the gear icon in the Private Space menu.
It should be noted that Private Space cannot be transferred to a new phone. The standard Android-to-Android setup process does not migrate Private Space contents. Users need to reestablish Private Space on a new device from scratch, but signing in with the same Google account allows for data restoration in apps like Gmail and Google Keep.