Android 15: Private Spaces

In Android 15, Google introduced Private Space. Private space allows users to create a separate space on their devices to keep sensitive applications under an additional layer of authentication. Private space uses a separate user profile.

Features

• Private space has a separate space in the launcher.
• Applications installed in the private space are hidden from recent views, notifications, settings, and other applications when the space is locked.
• Existing data or applications cannot be moved to private space.
• Users can install apps in private space from whichever app store they prefer. The installed application would have a separate copy from the application in the main space.
• Users can have a different Play Store account for private and main space.
• Once the private space profile is locked applications cannot perform foreground/background activities(running a job, service, etc). Even notifications cannot be shown.
• Private space can have a separate authentication compared to the main space.

How to enable Private Space?

To enable Private Space go to Settings → Security & Privacy → Privacy → Private Space.

To enable Private Space you need to set a screen lock first, if not done already.

Push Notification Behaviour for applications in Private Space

How do we identify a notification from a private space application?

Whenever a notification is posted by an application installed in the private space the notification has a lock icon indicating it from an application in the private space. Refer to the screenshot below

For applications installed in private spaces, the notification behavior varies based on the state of the space i.e. whether it is locked or unlocked.

Private Space unlocked

When the space is unlocked notifications are received and displayed as usual, like any application is in the main space.

Private Space locked

When the private space is locked the application will not display any notification. Once the space is unlocked the notification received while the space was locked will be displayed or delivered to the application.

Note: If the message expires before the space is unlocked(i.e. crosses the time to live defined for Firebase request) message will not be displayed/delivered to the application.

Transitioning from unlocked → locked

When a space is locked all the notifications in the notification shade would be dismissed/cleared by the system for applications that are part of the private space. No callback would be passed to the application even if the delete intent is set using setDeleteIntent() API.

Background Tasks for Applications in Private Space

If the private space is unlocked all background tasks, Work scheduled via WorkManager, Jobs scheduled via JobScheduler, and Alarms will work as usual(based on application usage, and maintenance window on the device). When the space is locked none of the background jobs are executed.