Android 15 introduces a noteworthy feature known as Private Space, designed to enhance user privacy by creating a secure environment for selected applications. This innovative addition acts as a dedicated vault, effectively safeguarding sensitive apps from unauthorized access. While the primary lock screen provides a basic level of security, Private Space adds an additional layer, ensuring that even when you lend your device for a quick call or photo viewing, your private information remains protected.
Setting up Private Space
Getting started with Private Space is straightforward, thanks to the intuitive setup process. Here’s how you can establish your own secure area:
- Navigate to Settings and select Security and privacy > Private space.
- Review the comprehensive overview of the feature and tap Set up.
- You’ll have the option to use a different Google account for your private space or create a new one. This step is optional but recommended to prevent syncing sensitive data with your main account.
- After selecting or creating an account, you can choose to set a new lock method for your private space or use the existing screen lock.
- Once completed, click Done to finalize the setup.
- Notably, a selection of Google apps, including Google Chrome and Google Photos, is pre-installed in your private space.
Accessing your private space is as simple as scrolling to the bottom of your app drawer, tapping the padlock icon, and authenticating via a biometric method or PIN.
Configuring Private Space
Your private space is conveniently located at the bottom of the app drawer, and it offers several configuration options to enhance your experience:
- To add new apps, simply tap the Install button within the private space. Uninstalling apps is just as easy—long-press the app icon and select Uninstall.
- Notifications from apps in the private space will only appear when it is unlocked, ensuring that sensitive information remains discreet.
- Once unlocked, your private space will remain accessible until you choose to lock it again using the Lock button.
- For added security, you can configure the private space to lock automatically based on specific conditions, such as when the phone is locked or after a set period of inactivity.
Additional options include:
- Changing the lock method for accessing the private space.
- Setting automatic lock conditions for enhanced security.
- Hiding the private space from the app drawer, making it invisible to others.
- Deleting the private space entirely, while ensuring that any data synced to the cloud remains unaffected.
It’s important to note that transferring your private space to a new device is not supported. Users will need to start afresh on their new phone, although they can sign in with the same Google account to restore data from apps like Gmail and Google Keep.
