How to Set Up and Use Private Space in Android 15 to Hide and Isolate Sensitive Apps

Android 15 introduces Private Space, an operating-system-level privacy feature that creates a cryptographically isolated environment directly on your device. Unlike third-party app lockers or launcher-based disguise tools that merely hide app icons, Private Space leverages Android’s multi-user sandbox architecture. When Private Space is locked, apps inside are completely suspended: their background processes are halted, notifications are hidden, data is encrypted, and no trace appears in your recent apps switcher or settings menus.

How Private Space Works Under the Hood

Private Space functions as a distinct secondary user profile on the Android device. This structural separation provides distinct advantages:

• Process Isolation: Apps running in Private Space cannot inspect or communicate with apps in your primary personal space.
• Independent Accounts: You can link a dedicated, secondary Google account to Private Space, ensuring search history, photos, and cloud backups remain isolated from your primary profile.
• Zero Memory Footprint When Locked: When locked, the operating system unmounts the encrypted credential storage and terminates all child background services, conserving battery and RAM.

Configuring Private Space for the First Time

To enable Private Space on a device running Android 15 (such as Google Pixel devices or compatible partner handsets):

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Navigate to Security & privacy.
3. Scroll down to the Privacy section and tap Private Space.
4. Authenticate using your device’s current screen lock (PIN, pattern, or fingerprint).
5. Tap Set up on the onboarding screen.

Android prompts you to choose whether to set up a dedicated Google account for Private Space. While optional, using a separate account prevents sensitive Play Store downloads, Google Photos syncs, and Chrome browsing history from synchronising with your primary Google profile.

Setting a Distinct Lock Mechanism

By default, Private Space can be unlocked using your existing device screen lock. However, for maximum security, configure a dedicated, separate lock:

1. Inside the Private Space settings menu, tap Lock Private Space.
2. Select Choose new lock.
3. Create a unique PIN, password, or alphanumeric pattern that differs from your main lock screen.
4. Optionally, register a secondary fingerprint (such as a different finger) to quickly unlock Private Space without exposing your master device code.

Installing and Moving Apps into Private Space

Once set up, access Private Space by swiping up to your app drawer and scrolling to the bottom. You will find a dedicated Private container.

To populate your Private Space:

• Direct Download via Google Play: Tap the Play Store icon located inside the Private container. Apps installed through this instance exist strictly inside the secure sandbox.
• Moving Existing Apps: Tap and hold an app in your primary app drawer, select App info, and choose Move to Private Space (available on supported system apps). Alternatively, reinstall the app within Private Space and uninstall the primary instance.

Hiding the Private Space Container from the App Drawer

If you prefer that visitors or onlookers do not even know Private Space exists on your device, you can conceal the container entirely:

1. Go to Settings > Security & privacy > Private Space.
2. Toggle on the option labeled Hide Private Space when locked.
3. When hidden, the Private container disappears completely from the bottom of your app drawer.

To access Private Space when hidden, open the app search bar at the top of your drawer, type Private Space (or your custom secret phrase), and tap the matching result to prompt authentication.

Managing Notifications and Auto-Lock Timing

Fine-tune how Private Space behaves during daily use:

• Auto-lock Private Space: Choose whether the container locks immediately every time the screen turns off, after 5 minutes of inactivity, or only upon manual device reboot. Locking every time the screen turns off provides optimal security.
• Sensitive Notifications: By default, notifications from private apps are suppressed while the space is locked. When unlocked, notifications appear with an icon denoting their private status.

Private Space vs Work Profile: Key Differences

Feature	Private Space	Work Profile
Target Purpose	Personal data protection and app concealment	Enterprise mobile device management (MDM)
Management Control	Owned and managed solely by the device owner	Controlled and audited by IT administrators
Visibility	Can be completely hidden from the app drawer	Always visible under a distinct ‘Work’ tab
Process Suspension	Background tasks completely halted when locked	Background tasks can remain active unless paused