While there aren't many new features in Android 15, it does offer some useful additions to your phone, and one of the most interesting is called “Private Space.” Think of it as a separate app vault that locks specific apps on your Android device.
Of course, the main lock screen already prevents other people from accessing your phone, but Private Space sets up an additional barrier. The idea is that if you lend someone your device to make a call or look at a photo, they won't accidentally (or deliberately) trip over something they shouldn't. It's also an extra safety net if your phone is lost or stolen while it's unlocked.
I tested the feature on a Pixel 8 phone running Android 15. Here's how it works.
Now, when you want to go to your private space, simply scroll to the bottom of the app drawer, tap the lock icon, and authenticate yourself (using a biometric method like fingerprint recognition or a PIN).
You can't drag apps in and out of your private space; you have to install them. Think of it almost like a completely different Android device. When you are inside the space, touch the Install To add new apps, touch and hold an app icon and choose Uninstall to eliminate them.
You can receive notifications from apps in the private space, but only when it is unlocked. To use the same example I used above, it is effectively like a separate device, and when the space is locked, it is as if you have turned off that device. For this reason, Google does not recommend using it to store applications that may need to send you critical information.
Once you've unlocked your private space, it will remain open in the app drawer until you lock it again through the Close button. You can also have the space automatically lock in certain situations: this and other options can be configured by tapping the gear icon in the private space window.
Please note that you cannot transfer your private space to a new phone. The standard Android to Android setup process will not include any private space apps. You'll have to start Private Space again from scratch, although you can sign in with the same Google account you used for Private Space on the old phone, which will restore your data in apps like Gmail and Google Keep.
