If you have a device with Android 15 or higher, you probably have a hidden digital compartment that works like a phone within a phone. This is part of an incredibly useful security feature that for some reason isn’t enabled by default and isn’t really discussed. It’s also one of the many privacy features available only on Android phones. Called Private Space on Pixel and other select devices, or Secure Folder on Samsung, think of it as creating another partition or instance of your phone’s main system. Conceptually, they work the same way by creating a segmented, “private” area where you can install apps and store sensitive data.
It’s a digital vault, separate from your main profile, that can hold apps, files, and even has its own lock. It can also be hidden, accessible only if you know it’s there. Why would you need this? In addition to hiding sensitive apps and other files, apps you install in the secure space won’t have access to your core user data. This keeps your main profile and data isolated. You can install a banking app that nothing else can touch, separate email apps, or entirely separate accounts almost like a second user (private space only). You can also transfer files to secure segmentation.
To get started on compatible Android devices, go to Settings > Security & Privacy > Private Space. You will need to sign in to a Google account and set a lock, which should be different from the main lock on your device. On Samsung, such as the Galaxy S25 or S26 series, go to Settings > Security & Privacy > More Security Settings > Secure Folder. With Samsung’s Secure Folder, you need a Samsung account and an email address, so you can’t set up another Google account profile.
What you need to know about the private space and the secure folder
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There are limitations to keep in mind. You cannot use Private Space on a managed device or with devices that have a supervised account. Additionally, secure zones can only be created and managed by the primary user of a device, not secondary or guest profiles.
Once installed, the Private Space or Secure Folder icon will appear at the bottom of your app drawer. You can unlock it by opening it and entering your password, PIN, or unique pattern. There should be an option to relock when you want to close it. But in both cases there is a way to hide the icon from prying eyes. Granted, even if someone knows it’s active, they can’t access it without the security details, so that’s a plus.
To hide Private Space on Android (Pixel), open the app drawer, tap Private Space and unlock access. Next, tap the gear icon or settings, and under Hide, select the “Hide private space when locked” option. The app icon and private area will be hidden the next time you lock. On Samsung, go to Settings > Security & Privacy > More security settings > Secure Folder and turn off the toggle next to Add a secure folder on the apps screen. You will be asked to confirm, tap Hide and it will no longer be visible in the app drawer.
Understanding the Permissions Problem on Modern Smartphones
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It is important to note that the private area is isolated from the main profile, user applications and data. Yes, you can transfer files to it, but back and forth communication is not open. This is beneficial for preventing data collection practices, data sharing, and app permissions. When a new Android app is installed, it often asks for “permissions” to access various elements of the phone, including software, hardware, and other systems. For example, a camera application will request access to the front and rear cameras, but also to the file storage system to save, edit and modify captured or shared photos.
Some apps will request broad access to things they don’t need, even acquiring dangerous permissions to your contacts, messages, other hardware like your microphone, and beyond. Social media and invasive privacy apps, like Candy Crush, can potentially, and sometimes do, access sensitive data you have stored on your phone. That’s why there are a few Android app permissions that you should never allow or avoid at all costs. Android’s built-in app permissions features are designed to give you more granular control over this. There are also indicators showing when apps are accessing these areas of your phone, which is why there’s sometimes a blue dot on your Android phone’s screen. Or a green one.
But the best way to prevent unauthorized access is to segment the questionable application. The private space and secure folder make this possible. You can install apps you want to keep private on one of the two spaces and keep questionable apps on the other partition. The best practice is to keep the items you want safe and private on locked storage.
