Android 15 is predicted to reach on Pixel smartphones later this 12 months and a number of other options from Google’s upcoming working system (OS) replace have surfaced because of the developer previews and the primary public beta launch. Google is reportedly engaged on a useful new characteristic that would assist customers isolate a malicious app on their smartphone after it’s detected. If the characteristic is added to the ultimate Android 15 launch, the working system may be capable to ‘quarantine’ apps, identical to antivirus packages on Home windows.
Noticed by Android Authority on the most recent Android 15 beta, Google is engaged on the power to permit a system app — like Google Play Companies or the Play Retailer — to isolate apps and apply some restrictions on them. As soon as an app has been quarantined, its capabilities can be severely restricted, which could forestall it from taking adversarial motion on the person’s machine.
The code for the app quarantine characteristic exists on Android 15, however it’s but to be enabled, in line with the publication. Primarily based on the present code, the characteristic will reportedly forestall a quarantined app from exhibiting notifications, disguise its home windows and cease actions, forestall it from ringing the machine and stop different apps from interacting with some its providers.
The purported Quarantined Apps interface on Android 15
Picture Credit score: Android Authority/ Mishaal Rahman
Google is reportedly engaged on a “QUARANTINE_APPS” permission that may solely be granted to apps signed by the identical certificates that Google makes use of to signal the Android working system — successfully limiting the power to quarantine apps to the Play Retailer (or Google Play Companies).
It is value noting that whereas anti-malware software program for Home windows computer systems can be able to quarantining apps, Android is far more safe than Home windows and apps would not have entry to a number of components of the cellphone with out first getting permission from the person. Because of this, quarantined apps will nonetheless be seen within the app drawer on Android 15, however tapping the greyed-out icon will inform customers that the app is not out there, whereas displaying two buttons — OK and Unquarantine app, in line with the publication.
There is not any phrase on whether or not the characteristic can be out there with Android 15, because it was first noticed in a developer construct of Android 14 again in 2022. If Google decides to allow the performance on Android 15, it seems seemingly that solely the Play Retailer or Google Play Companies will be capable to carry out the app quarantining features. It may, nonetheless, turn out to be useful when Google’s Play Defend malware scanner detects an app that’s exhibiting suspicious behaviour however is not a recognized menace.
