Android: Private Space vs Work Profile

Android 15 will get a “private space” which is a way to separate some apps into a separate space. Apps installed in the private space cannot talk to apps that are in the main profile and they also cannot access files, contacts, calendars, SMS and so on from the main profile. The private space also uses a separate VPN connection. Apparently it will be possible to share files between the private space and main profile, but only through the built-in file manager or the ‘Share’ functionality. Notifications and app icons will be integrated with the main profile, so there’s little downside in usability.

To me, this sounds exactly like the work profile functionality that already exists. The only difference I could spot is that you can lock the private space with a PIN or biometrics.

Is there any tangible benefit compared to the existing work profile function?

Private Space and Work Profile can be both used at the same time. Does anyone have an idea in what scenario this could be useful, i.e. which apps to install where? (Obviously, if you need your work profile for actual work apps then the private space can be useful to separate some of your private apps from the main profile.)

I’m currently using GrapheneOS with all apps that need Play Services for notifications in a work profile and the majority of my apps living in the Google-free main profile. Can’t think of any benefit of this new Private Space feature.

Work profiles are meant for work, and user profiles are meant to be used in case a few people are using the same device.

Meanwhile, Private Space will be a proper way to achieve what most people in the privacy community are trying to achieve by using work or user profiles.

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I’m wondering how the encryption works for the private space. If the main profile account is compromised, does the private space have to be manually decrypted or would it be compromised too?

The keys will be separate; if Private Space is locked, then everything is safely encrypted at rest.

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