Guide to Using the New Private Space Feature in Android 15

Android 15 has introduced an interesting feature called "Private Space," which acts as an app vault where certain applications can be kept and accessed only with an additional unlock. While there is already a screen lock that prevents unauthorized access to the phone, Private Space adds an extra layer of security. This is particularly useful if you lend your device to someone to make a call or view a photo, preventing them from accessing other more sensitive information. Additionally, it serves as an extra resource in case the phone is lost or stolen while it is unlocked.

To start using Private Space, you need to go to the Settings section and select Security and Privacy > Private Space. There, you will receive a detailed guide on how it works and the available options. When choosing to set up the space, you can opt to use a different Google account or create a new one, helping to keep private data separate from that in more public areas and other devices.

After selecting or creating an account, you can choose a new lock method (like a PIN) for Private Space or use the same security method that was already set for the phone's screen. After a few moments, your Private Space will be ready. From that point on, you can access it by scrolling to the end of the app drawer, tapping the lock icon, and authenticating yourself with a biometric method or a PIN.

Once inside Private Space, you cannot move apps from the app drawer to the space; they must be installed directly within it, similar to how a separate Android device works. Additionally, it is possible to receive notifications from the apps inside Private Space, but this only occurs when it is unlocked. For those who need to maintain the security of their data, Google recommends not storing apps that require sending critical information in this area.

It's important to note that once unlocked, Private Space will remain open until it is manually or automatically locked, depending on the settings in the management options. You can choose to hide Private Space so that it is not visible in the app drawer; in that case, it can only be found by searching for “Private Space.” If at any point you wish to delete it, you can do so, but this will not affect the data synced to the cloud.

Also, keep in mind that it is not possible to transfer Private Space to a new device, so it will need to be created anew, and during the process, you can sign in with the same Google account used previously, allowing you to restore data from apps like Gmail and Google Keep.