Of all the new Android 15 features that Google has introduced us to so far, one of the most important and probably the most useful is Private Spaces. As you might have gathered from the name, it provides you with a separate section on your Android phone for storing your most sensitive apps and files.
While similar features already exist on Android, from Secure Folders in the Google Files app to Samsung's Secure Folder tool, Private Space aims to be the most comprehensive and will be built directly into the mobile operating system. If you already have the Android 15 Beta installed, you can try it out now.
Here's how Private Spaces works on the Pixel 8, and how you can use it when Android 15 fully rolls out later this year. But keep in mind that Google may tweak the feature at any time, so it might not look exactly like this when it starts showing up in stable versions of Android.
Set up a private space
Private Spaces can be enabled from Settings via the Security & Privacy page. Tapping "Private Space" brings up an information screen explaining how it all works, and then there's a "Settings" button to get started. It's worth reading the details provided by Google to make sure you fully understand what this feature involves.
You can use Private Space with or without a Google Account, and it doesn't have to be the same Google Account you use on your Android device. If you use a second Google Account, that means photos, browsing data, and other files can be synced to that account instead of your main account.
If you don't have a Google Account at all, this limits what you can do in your private space. You'll be able to capture and save photos and videos, but they'll need to be backed up manually. You can still use Google Chrome, but you won't get any of the sync features you get when you log in.
If you want to use any apps other than those that appear in your private space by default (such as Camera, Chrome, Contacts, Files, Photos, and Play Store), you'll need to sign in to your Google Account. The same thing happens if you're using Android without a Google account: you can't install any third-party apps.
After clicking "Settings" you will see several configuration screens, which only take a minute to complete: If desired, you can select a Google account for the private space, and you can set a new screen lock for the private space. space (such as a new password), or use the protections your phone already has.
Use private space on your phone
To access your private space, you need to load the app drawer by swiping up from the home screen. The locked space is at the bottom, and you can open it (and close it again) by clicking on the padlock symbol. Use the Install App link to add a new app to your private space and use the gear icon to open its settings.
Using a Private Space is a bit like using a separate Android device - a separate smartphone from your current smartphone (of course, if you use the same Google account in both places, many of your files and settings will be in sync). It's also similar to the profile feature on Android, but without the hassle of switching between profiles.
Open the Private Space settings via the gear icon and you can change the screen lock used by the space and set auto-lock options: Your Private Space can lock itself every time the device locks or after five minutes of inactivity or every time the device restarts.
You can also enable Hide Private Spaces when locked so others can't easily see it if they somehow get their hands on your phone. When Private Space is hidden, you need to go to the search bar at the top of the app drawer and look for "Private Space." Click on the link that appears and you can open it normally.
There is also a "Delete private space" option on the settings screen. This will erase everything in the space and return your phone to normal. The process cannot be reversed - any files not backed up elsewhere will be gone forever.
