Android 15 introduces Private Space, a dedicated OS-level sandbox designed to isolate sensitive banking, healthcare, authentication, and communication apps from the primary user profile. Unlike conventional third-party app lockers that merely draw an overlay over running tasks, Private Space creates a distinct sandboxed user environment with its own cryptographic encryption keys, isolated notification channels, separate photo libraries, and independent Play Store instances.
How Private Space Works Under the Hood
When Private Space is locked, the underlying Android framework suspends background processes, freezes network connectivity for contained applications, and suppresses incoming notification contents from reaching the lock screen or status bar. Key security architecture properties include:
- Separate Profile State: Apps installed inside Private Space cannot access data stores, shared caches, or file directories associated with primary personal apps unless explicitly shared via system pickers.
- Dedicated Google Account: You can sign in with an alternative or secondary Google Account inside Private Space, ensuring search histories, Chrome sync, and cloud backups remain segregated from personal profiles.
- Stealth Launcher Mode: Private Space can be hidden completely from the app drawer, only becoming visible when typing a secret passphrase directly into the app drawer search bar.
Setting Up Private Space Step by Step
To initialize Private Space on a compatible device running Android 15 (such as Google Pixel or partner OEM flagship devices):
- Open the system Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap Security & privacy.
- Select Private space located under the Privacy section.
- Tap Set up and authenticate using your existing screen lock (PIN, pattern, or fingerprint).
- Review the architecture explanation and tap Got it.
- Select Choose a new lock to configure a distinct PIN, pattern, or password separate from your main phone lock. Using a dedicated unlock code ensures that someone who knows your device unlock PIN still cannot access Private Space.
- Toggle on Unlock with fingerprint or Face Unlock to enable fast biometric authentication.
- Sign in with an optional secondary Google Account or tap Skip to proceed with local storage only.
Installing and Moving Apps into Private Space
Once setup is finalized, Private Space appears at the bottom of your application drawer:
- Direct Play Store Installation: Tap the lock icon at the bottom of the app drawer, unlock Private Space, and tap Install apps. This opens the isolated Play Store where apps install exclusively into the private partition.
- Moving Existing Apps: Long-press any personal app icon on your main home screen or app drawer, drag it down toward the Private Space banner, or tap App info > Move to Private Space (available on supported OEM builds).
Configuring Stealth Hiding and Auto-Lock Rules
Fine-tune security parameters to govern how and when Private Space engages lock mode:
- Navigate to Settings > Security & privacy > Private space.
- Tap Lock Private space to define lock triggers:
- Every time device locks: Locks Private Space instantly whenever you press the physical power button or screen timeout occurs.
- After 5 minutes of inactivity: Keeps private apps in memory during rapid task switching while locking if the phone is set down.
- Enable Hide Private space when locked. When toggled on, the Private Space container icon disappears completely from your app drawer.
- Configure your Secret Keyword in the search settings. To reveal the hidden space, swipe up to open the app drawer and type your custom keyword into the search bar.
Managing Notifications and Cross-Profile Data Sharing
Private Space blocks sensitive notification previews when locked. While unlocked, incoming alerts display an unmistakable padlock emblem in the status tray. When capturing photos or documents within a private banking or medical app, images save directly to the private media sandbox, ensuring they never sync to personal Google Photos galleries or cloud storage repositories.