I previously wrote about Vault Apps which were apps that were disguised to look as normal apps but with a special code or area within them, allowed the user to store information behind a lock and key. Fast forward to 2024 and both Apple and Google feel it is important to release features of locking apps, hidden photo folders and other areas as built-in features of their latest operating systems – including kids!

 

How is Apple offering these lockable areas?

Passcode and Face ID App Locking
iOS 18 allows users to lock individual apps with a passcode or Face ID. While this can be useful for privacy, it also makes it easy for children to lock an app they don’t want their parents accessing.

Parenting Tip: Set up parental controls and check the screen time settings regularly to monitor app usage. Discuss the importance of transparency with your child to discourage them from misusing the app lock feature.

Hidden albums in Photos app

The “Hidden” album feature on Apple devices provides users with a way to hide photos and videos from the main library, which can be useful for maintaining privacy. With iOS 16 and later, the Hidden album is automatically locked and requires Face ID, Touch ID, or a password to access, offering an extra layer of security.

For parents, it’s important to know that this feature exists, as children can use it to hide content without it showing up in the regular Photos app.

 

Private Space feature in Android 15

Reviewed by The Verge as “Keep any app locked away from prying eyes”, this upcoming Android 15 feature should be something parents are aware with their children’s Pixel devices that are eligible for this update (Samsung and other typically receive Android updates after Google Pixels).

About Private Space: The new “Private Space” feature in Android 15 offers a separate, locked area on your device where you can keep specific apps secure and hidden. While this might be helpful for adult users who want additional privacy, it can be problematic for parents managing their child’s screen time and app usage. With Private Space, children could potentially install or access apps that are hidden from parents’ view, making it challenging to monitor their digital activity or enforce usage limits.

Parenting tip: openly discuss the feature with their kids, explaining why transparency in app usage is important and how Private Space could make it easier to misuse screen time limits. A conversation around trust and boundaries can help reinforce responsible behavior, even with these advanced privacy tools. Additionally, parents should consider setting guidelines or implementing parental control apps to ensure that kids use Private Space appropriately, if at all. We are investigating if we can block access to this area with an upcoming Boomerang Parental Control update.

 

Why is this important?

Parents should be aware of these features in case their child starts to use these newer features as there doesn’t exist any way to disable these via the built-in iOS Screen TIme features or even with Google’s own Family Link.

Parents might want to discuss these features with their kids, focusing on why privacy is important and why transparency with family members matters, especially when it comes to managing content on personal devices. By having an open conversation about the purpose and limits of privacy tools, parents and children can work together to build trust while encouraging responsible tech habits.

 

 

Sources:
https://www.theverge.com/24279464/private-space-android-15-pixel-how-to
https://support.apple.com/104987