Google still has problems with new Android 15 beta security feature

Google only showed the second beta version of the upcoming Android 15 last week at its own developer conference Google I/O, but some of the new security functions of the operating system for mobile devices are causing problems for testers. After activating "Private Space", app icons disappeared from the home screen. Google has therefore already made improvements within a few days and is now making the "Android 15 Beta 2.1 Patch" available to beta testers.

Private Space is one of the new security functions of Android 15 and is a data vault for sensitive apps. Applications in Private Space can only be opened after a separate PIN has been entered. This prevents unauthorized users from opening banking apps, for example, if they get their hands on the unlocked smartphone.

According to Google, Private Space works at operating system level and therefore not only protects the data of an app, but also ensures that app notifications remain hidden from prying eyes. If desired, the entire app can even be made invisible. This could have resulted in one of the unwanted side effects, as Android 15 Beta 2 has apparently pre-empted users' wishes and hidden some apps without being asked.

Problem solved? Probably not everywhere

Some beta testers reported that Android icons disappeared from the home screen or even from several home screens after activating Private Space for the first time. Google confirmed this in its own IssueTracker as a known problem with Android 15 Beta 2, but just a few days later, at the beginning of this week, Google's Android beta program explained on Reddit that a corresponding patch is available in the form of Android 15 Beta 2.1 (AP31.240426.023).

This means that icons should no longer disappear from the home screen when Private Space is activated for the first time. However, the feedback is mixed. Some beta testers report that the home screens have been reset so that manually added icons should also have disappeared. In addition, Android's beta feedback app suddenly reports errors and no longer appears to be usable, meaning that Android problems can no longer be reported to Google.

Update only for beta testers

The download size of Android 15 beta 2.1 also caused confusion. Initially, the operating system reports a download of 2.64 GB for a Pixel 7 Pro smartphone, for example, but some users report a patch size of between 11.3 and 12.1 MB after installation when restarting the system.

The download is reserved for testers who are part of the beta program. Google is offering the update for smartphones from Pixel 6 and 6a as well as for the Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet. Other devices from Honor, Nothing, OnePlus or Vivo, for example, can also participate in Android's beta program, but their users will not be offered the update automatically, but will have to install it manually via the settings.

(fds)