Google is working on a major privacy boost for Android that will enable the locking of applications and the concealment of the content of notifications, based on the code for the upcoming Android 17 release. The new capability, dubbed App Lock, will support all Android devices, including Pixel and Samsung phones.
Unlike the current Private Space offered in the Android operating system, App Lock is made to be simpler and comes as part of the launcher itself and does not require the use of third party software or environments. When an app is locked, the notification messages displayed from this particular app will not feature sensitive information in them anymore because it will appear as ‘New message’ or ‘New notification’ in the notification message.
Android Authority found this feature on the Android Canary build, saying that messaging apps will not display the sender's name as well as the previews, while other apps will display generic placeholders instead. Android is getting on par with iOS, which has allowed app level locking on their operating system, the iOS 18.
Samsung presently has a feature like this offered through the "Secure Folder," but it must be done manually by creating a separate area where apps can either be added or cloned, which can be inconvenient for many users. This method by Google is simpler because it enables the direct locking of apps without cloning or adding anything extra.
Messaging apps will benefit the most from this development. Certain messaging apps such as WhatsApp already have their own version of App Lock, which is being actively promoted by them on their platforms. However, a system-level solution by Google would ensure the security of all apps regardless of their support.
As for the release, none has been confirmed yet. Although App Lock will likely make its first appearance in Android 17, this feature has not been confirmed yet, and Google will not likely roll out App Lock in beta updates for Android 16. According to Android Police, "just because something appears in a Canaries build doesn’t necessarily mean that’s when you’ll see it."
At least with respect to current functionality, the specifics, like how app icons and names appear when the apps are “locked” and how notifications become “hidden,” are still unclear. However, like all things related to beta releases, some or all of this may change before full implementation is initiated. Nonetheless, App Lock and hidden notification features are certainly an enhancement to the Android operating system with regard to privacy.
👉🏻 Found this article interesting? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and whatsapp to read more exclusive content we post.
