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 like 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 creates an additional barrier. The idea is that if you lend your device to someone to make a call or view a photo, they won't accidentally (or intentionally) come across something they shouldn't. It also provides an additional safety net in case your phone is lost or stolen while unlocked.
I tried the feature on a Pixel 8 phone running Android 15. This is how it works.
Now, if you want to go to your private space, simply scroll to the bottom of the app drawer, tap the padlock icon and authenticate yourself (either with 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're in the area, tap Install To add new apps, click the button, long-press an app icon and select Uninstall to remove them.
You can receive notifications from apps in the private space, but only when it is unlocked. To use the same example as above, it's effectively like a separate device, and when the space is locked, it's as if you turned that device off. For this reason, Google doesn't recommend using it to store apps that may need to send you important information.
Once you unlock your private space, it will remain open in the app drawer until you lock it again Lock out Button. You can also have the Space automatically locked in certain situations: These and other options can be configured by tapping the gear icon in the private Space window.
Note that you cannot transfer your private space to a new phone. The standard Android-to-Android setup process does not include private Space apps. You have to start the private area all over again. However, you can sign in with the same Google Account that you used for Private Space on the older phone, which will restore your data to apps like Gmail and Google Keep.