A way to lock specific apps behind a security check is now in testing through Android 17’s latest beta.
iPhone users have been able to lock select apps behind a biometric or password check since iOS 18. and a future Android update is set to bring a similar tool to Pixel phones.
The new App Lock feature is in testing as part of Android 17 QPR2 Beta 3. with the option appearing on Pixel devices running the early software. A final version of Android 17 QPR2 isn’t likely to launch until December.
As spotted by 9to5Google, App Lock is accessible by long-pressing an icon and selecting the option at the end of the list. After setting up the feature, it asks you to use your phone’s unlock method each time you want to open the selected app. You can set this up for any of your apps, as it works at the system level rather than requiring third-party developers to implement the feature.
Notifications will also automatically hide content previews once the feature is enabled. For example, if you turn this on for WhatsApp, your messages would be hidden until you unlock the app, hiding details from anyone who may be using your phone.
Other privacy features include automatically removing any connected widgets or shortcuts, ensuring your data doesn’t appear elsewhere on the device. Google’s one exception is AI agents and services, which it says will still be able to access connected data if you’ve previously allowed access.
A new menu in the Security & privacy section of Settings will display all apps with App Lock enabled.
One tipster also spotted that Samsung’s own beta version of this Android 17 update, One UI 9.5. may be preparing similar tools. As spotted by leaker Fahad Ali Javed, the latest beta shows an app lock icon in a similar menu that, when pressed, explains the corresponding features. It may take Samsung longer than Google to roll out this feature, but the two appear to be linked.
Android has previously offered more advanced security features through its Private Space tool, allowing users to hide downloaded apps from anyone who has access to their phone. This new App Lock option will hide data more simply than Private Space does, and it lets users restrict information without having to rejig how they access their apps.