Private Space on Android 15: Setup & Use

Private Space on Android 15 creates a separate, locked area on your phone where you can hide sensitive apps, photos, and files from the rest of your device. Once you set it up, apps inside it appear only in a dedicated section of your app drawer, and you can lock it with your screen lock or a separate PIN. You’ll need a phone running Android 15 (or a device that has received the feature via a manufacturer update) and a Google account to get started.

What You’ll Need

An Android phone with Android 15 or a manufacturer build that includes Private Space
Your device lock screen PIN, pattern, or password (or you’ll create a new one for the space)
Your Google account credentials (if you want to install apps from the Play Store inside the private space)

Step-by-Step

Open Settings. Swipe down from the top of the screen and tap the gear icon, or find the Settings app in your app drawer.
Go to Security & privacy. Scroll down and tap Security & privacy. On some phones it may be labeled Security or Privacy.
Find Private Space. Tap Private Space (it may be under the “Privacy” submenu). If you don’t see it, use the search bar at the top of Settings and type “Private Space.”
Tap “Set up.” You’ll see a brief explanation of what Private Space does. Tap Set up to continue.
Sign in with your Google account. If you want to install apps from the Play Store inside the private space, you’ll be asked to sign in. You can choose to skip this for now, but you won’t be able to install new apps until you do. Use the same account you use on your main profile, or a different one if you prefer.
Choose how to lock it. You’ll be asked to pick a lock method. Options are:
– Device lock: Uses the same PIN, pattern, or password as your phone.
– Separate lock: Creates a new PIN or pattern just for the private space. This is more secure if someone else knows your main lock.
Create the lock. If you chose a separate lock, enter a new PIN or pattern and confirm it. If you chose the device lock, just confirm your existing lock.
Finish setup. Tap Done or Finish. The private space is now created. You’ll see a message confirming it’s ready.
Open the app drawer. Swipe up from the bottom of the home screen to open your app list. Scroll to the very bottom. You’ll see a section labeled Private Space.
Lock the space. Tap the lock icon next to “Private Space” to lock it immediately. When locked, the apps inside are hidden and you’ll need to enter your lock to see them.
Move apps into it. You can’t drag apps from your main drawer into the private space. Instead, open the private space (unlock it) and install apps from the Play Store while inside. Or, if you want to move an existing app, you’ll need to uninstall it from the main profile and reinstall it in the private space.
Hide the private space entirely. In Private Space settings, you can toggle Hide Private Space. When enabled, the Private Space section disappears from your app drawer, and the only way to access it is by typing “Private Space” in the Settings search bar (or by using the shortcut you create).

Common Mistakes

Forgetting the separate lock. If you set a separate PIN and forget it, you cannot recover it. You’ll have to delete the private space, which erases all the data inside.
Not signing in with Google. If you skip the Google account step, you can’t install apps from the Play Store inside the private space. You can add an account later in Private Space settings, but it’s easier to do it during setup.
Expecting apps to transfer. Apps you already have on your phone do not automatically appear in Private Space. You must install them again inside the space.
Hiding the space and forgetting how to open it. When you hide the private space, the app drawer entry disappears. You’ll need to search “Private Space” in Settings to open it. If you forget that, you might think you’ve lost your apps.

Tips

Use a separate lock for maximum privacy. If someone knows your phone’s PIN, they can open your private space if it uses the same lock. A separate PIN adds a barrier.
Create a shortcut to the private space. In Private Space settings, you can add a shortcut to your home screen. This makes it faster to open, but it also makes it visible to anyone who sees your phone.
Use it for apps that don’t need to be “hidden.” Private Space is great for banking apps, dating apps, or anything you don’t want to appear in recents or notifications.
Turn off notifications from private apps. When an app inside Private Space sends a notification, it appears on your main screen. To prevent that, go to the app’s notification settings inside the private space and turn them off.
Keep the space locked when not in use. The space automatically locks after a period of inactivity, but you can set it to lock immediately when you leave it.

Troubleshooting

Can’t find Private Space in Settings. Make sure your device is running Android 15 or a manufacturer build that includes the feature. Some phones (like older models) may not have it even after an update. Search “Private Space” in the Settings search bar—if nothing appears, your device doesn’t support it.
Forgot the separate PIN. There’s no recovery option. You must delete the private space. Go to Settings > Security & privacy > Private Space > (three-dot menu) > Delete Private Space. This erases all data inside. After deletion, you can set it up again.
Apps won’t install inside the private space. Make sure you’re signed in with a Google account inside the space. Open the private space, then open the Play Store and sign in. If you still get errors, clear the Play Store’s cache (Settings > Apps > Play Store > Storage > Clear cache) while inside the private space.
Private Space section is missing from app drawer. You likely hid it. Go to Settings > Security & privacy > Private Space and toggle off “Hide Private Space.” If you can’t find it, search “Private Space” in Settings.
Notifications from private apps appear on the main screen. This is normal. To stop them, open the private space, go to the app’s notification settings, and disable notifications. Or, in Private Space settings, you can choose to hide notifications entirely.
Private Space is locked but apps still show in recents. When you switch away from a private app, it should disappear from the recents list. If it doesn’t, force-stop the app inside the private space or restart your phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move apps I already have into Private Space?
No, you can’t move existing apps. You need to install them again inside the private space. The old app on your main profile will remain unless you uninstall it.

Does Private Space hide my photos and files?
No, Private Space is for apps only. To hide photos and files, use the “Locked Folder” in Google Photos or a file manager’s secure folder feature.

Will apps in Private Space show up in my Google account’s app list?
No, apps installed in the private space are separate from your main profile’s app list. They won’t appear in your “My apps” on the Play Store when you’re in the main profile.

Can I use a different Google account in Private Space?
Yes, you can sign in with a different Google account during setup or later. This keeps your private apps and data completely separate from your main account.

What happens if I uninstall an app from the main profile that also exists in Private Space?
They are independent. Uninstalling from the main profile does not affect the app in the private space, and vice versa.

Is Private Space the same as “Secure Folder” on Samsung phones?
It’s similar in purpose, but Private Space is built into Android 15. Samsung’s Secure Folder is a separate app that works on many Android versions. If you have a Samsung phone running Android 15, you may have both options.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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