Our phones are private and secure spaces. On one device, we communicate with loved ones, access our bank accounts, save photos, and download sensitive documents.
Android’s security features have steadily improved over the years to prevent unauthorized access to documents; even if someone has your phone, you can wipe its data remotely.
But what about when we voluntarily hand our phones over? Whether we’re showing someone holiday snaps, asking them to check a menu, or just lending it when theirs is broken, there’s a chance they might accidentally stumble on personal or sensitive information.
Some apps, like Google Photos, contain secure folders, but now there’s a feature that stops anyone from accessing sensitive apps without authorization.
Why I use this little-known Android lock setting before letting anyone borrow my phone
You should use it, too
App locks are finally coming to Google
Secure sensitive data behind a simple lock
In Android Canary 2603, users can add a layer of security to any app.
When app lock is enabled on an app, you will need to use your fingerprint or PIN to use it. App locks are found in the drop-down menu found when long-pressing on an app.
Not only do app locks add a layer of security to sensitive apps, but they also hide their notifications, remove their widgets from your home screen, and delete shortcuts.
Essentially, it will be impossible to view any data from a locked app without the set PIN or fingerprint.
However, the disclaimer clearly states that “AI agents and services you’ve allowed to access [app name] will still be able to access its data.”
Android Canary is Google’s replacement for developer preview builds. It is separate from the beta build pipeline.
It allows developers to try in-development features and test app compatibility. It gives users more immediate access to in-progress features, but it’s not recommended for everyday use due to bugs.
It’s not clear yet whether you can circumnavigate the app lock by asking Gemini to pull data from the app, but nevertheless, it’s an excellent step towards improving our privacy.
App lock is still a Canary feature, so there is a chance it may not make it into the full release. But as this is a long-awaited feature available on other Android skins, it seems likely that it’ll make it to the stable or beta branch soon.
Two levels of security for different needs
Since Android 15, we’ve been able to use Private Space on our Pixel phones. This feature created an isolated user profile that can be made invisible, accessible only by searching for the relevant keyword.
In Private Space, you can store apps, media, documents, and data-hungry games and apps that then become inaccessible to anyone using your phone.
The problem with Private Space is that it’s overkill for many situations. For example, I don’t want anyone accessing my Photos app, but I don’t mind someone knowing that I have Google Photos installed.
Booting up a Private Space just to download an image is too much, which is why I’m happy app locks are on their way.
I can keep sensitive media, apps, and documents in Private Space while apps that contain some private data are secured behind an app lock.
The versatility of these security features now makes me feel that I can hand my phone to a friend without worry.
App lock isn’t the only useful feature on the way
UI changes and features that will improve how we use our phones
Also found within Android Canary 2603 are useful features like separate Wi-Fi and mobile data toggles, the ability to bubble an app (also found within an app’s drop-down menu next to app lock), and more blur across the system UI’s backgrounds to add clarity to windows.
The screen recording tool has been revamped to include a floating window that makes it easier to adjust and end screen recordings.
All these features, as Canary features, are not guaranteed to arrive in the stable branch. Nevertheless, they suggest a focus on practical improvements that we have sorely needed on our Android phones.
Security and privacy should be as accessible as possible
Important features shouldn’t be hidden
While we all like the idea of keeping our data secure and private, few people take the necessary steps to do so.
A friend recently made a show of hiding their phone from me as they scrolled through the Google Photos app in case I saw something sensitive. A perfectly reasonable explanation, but when I asked why they didn’t use the Locked Folder feature, they gave me a blank look.
Awareness and ease of access are crucial factors for getting people to take up the privacy and security features that will help them. Adding the app lock tool to each app’s drop-down menu is the best place for it, as it minimizes the hoops people have to jump through.
App lock (assuming it reaches the stable branch) will have a huge impact on our privacy.
I’m looking forward to the next stable Android update as I think it will drastically change how I use my Android phone for the better.
