Android 15 could adopt Samsung’s Secure Folder concept with upcoming “Private Space” feature،
Google and Samsung have a history of exchanging ideas. Recently, we highlighted the possibility of Galaxy phones adopting AI wallpapers from the Pixel 8. However, things have turned around and Google is now taking inspiration from Samsung.
According to Android Font, Google is working on a “Private Space” feature that lets users hide apps on their phone, filling a gap in Android's native features. The feature appears to be inspired by Samsung's Secure Folder concept.
For Android 14 QPR2 Beta 2 users eager to explore the upcoming “Private Space” feature, a preview of Settings reveals its location in Settings > Security & Privacy > Private Space. It should be noted that, as of now, the feature is not yet functional, indicating that Google is still refining and perfecting it before making it available to users.
However, a screenshot of Android Police provides insight into the functionality and operation of Private Spaces, shedding light on the user experience that awaits once the feature is fully operational.
To set up Private Space, you need to create a new Android profile, which works the same as a work profile, associated with the primary user. When this private profile is locked (or paused), notifications from its apps remain hidden.
Private profile locking can happen with the primary user's usual PIN, pattern, password, or biometrics, or you can use a new set of credentials. To configure the private profile, you must log in to a Google account. This allows you to install new apps for the profile directly from the Google Play Store.
For now, you'll spot apps in the private profile at the bottom of the app drawer, not in a separate tab at the top. Google is toying with the idea of allowing you to access the private space by typing “private space” in the launcher's search bar. However, for now, this trick has not yet been completely mastered in the art of work.
Since some aspects of this feature are currently not functional and several UI placeholders are scattered throughout the setup process, the final appearance of the presented UI remains unclear. There is a good chance that this feature is in the works for the upcoming Android 15 which is expected to launch next year.
