In a recent discovery within the latest Android Canary release, an exciting new feature has emerged: the ability to lock multiple apps simultaneously. This functionality, which has been hinted at in previous Android builds, is now accessible, promising a more streamlined user experience.
Enhanced App Lock Feature
The sixth Android 17 QPR1 beta contained strings indicating that users would soon be able to lock multiple applications through the settings menu. This marks a significant improvement over the previous method, which required users to lock apps one by one. The updated app lock feature can be found under Settings > Security & privacy > App lock.
For those who have yet to set up a PIN, pattern, or password on their Pixel device, the first step will be to tap the “Add screen lock” option. Google has also noted that once apps are locked, they will no longer display notification content, and their widgets and shortcuts will be removed from view. However, AI agents and services will still have access to the locked app’s data if permission has been granted previously. Additionally, users can opt to hide apps using the Private Space feature instead of locking them.
Upon entering the main App lock screen, users will see a list view of both locked and unlocked apps. There is flexibility in how these apps can be organized, allowing users to prioritize locked apps at the top of the list or sort them by “recent” or “All.” Notably, if a user locks specific apps, such as Files by Google, a pop-up notification will inform them that other applications still retain access to their photos, along with a list of those apps.
To access locked applications, users will need to enter their device PIN or use biometric authentication. Furthermore, the content of locked apps will remain hidden from the recents menu, adding an extra layer of privacy.
This feature is poised to enhance the Android experience significantly once it becomes widely available, positioning Google alongside competitors like Xiaomi and vivo, who already offer similar functionalities. In contrast, Samsung has opted for a different approach with its Secure Folder, which allows users to copy apps into a hidden, protected space rather than locking them directly in the app drawer.
As always, it’s important to note that while an APK teardown can provide insights into potential future features based on preliminary code, there is no guarantee that all predicted features will make it to public release.
