Android 15 introduces Private Space, a long-awaited feature designed to address modern privacy concerns. With so much of our personal and professional lives stored on our phones, keeping sensitive data secure is more important than ever. Private Space acts like a hidden vault on your device, offering a password-protected environment for apps, files, and media. Here’s a closer look at what Private Space offers and how to make the most of it.
What Is Private Space
Private Space is similar to Samsung’s Secure Folder but more seamlessly integrated into Android 15. Unlike standalone apps, Private Space exists within your app drawer, tucked away at the bottom. Once set up, it serves as a secure compartment for your private apps, documents, photos, and other data.
Think of it as having two phones in one. For instance, you can keep work emails in Private Space while your personal emails remain in the regular interface. Sensitive files, financial apps, or confidential project documents can stay protected here, away from prying eyes.
Things to Know Before You Start
Before setting up Private Space on your Android device, there are a few things you should know. To keep everything in this secure environment separate, you’ll need to use a different Google account for app installations and media syncing. Private Space is designed to stay completely isolated from your main setup, and you can lock it with a unique PIN or your device’s biometrics for added security.
However, it’s worth noting that apps in this space pause when locked, which means it’s not ideal for apps like health trackers that require background operation. Data within Private Space also stays local to your device, so if you switch phones, you’ll need to set it up again from scratch. Lastly, to ensure your data remains safe, avoid installing any unverified or potentially harmful apps within the space.
How to Enable Private Space
Setting up Private Space is simple and only takes a few steps:
- Open Settings on your Android 15 device.
- Scroll to Security & Privacy, then select Privacy Space.
- Confirm your identity through your device’s lock screen or biometrics.
- Tap Set Up and follow the instructions.
- Sign in with a secondary Google account and choose a lock method for the space.
Once completed, you’ll find Private Space neatly integrated at the bottom of your app drawer.
Using Private Space
After setup, it’s time to populate Private Space with your apps and files:
- Access Private Space through the app drawer and unlock it using your chosen method.
- By default, it includes basic apps like Google Photos, Camera, Chrome, Contacts, and Play Store.
- Use the Play Store within Private Space to install apps and games.
- Any photos or videos taken with the Private Space camera are stored securely in its own Google Photos library.
This setup makes it easy to keep your personal and professional lives separate without juggling multiple devices.
Why Private Space Matters
Private Space is more than just another feature—it’s a practical solution for enhancing user privacy. By keeping sensitive data securely separated, it provides a reliable way to protect your personal information. Whether you’re managing work and personal files, safeguarding financial apps, or keeping private documents secure, Private Space is designed to fit seamlessly into your daily routine. With its integration into Android 15, privacy becomes simpler and more accessible, as a secure and organised way of managing your phone.
