Android 15, expected to launch on Pixel smartphones later this year, has revealed exciting features through a developer preview and public beta release. Among these features is a potential new tool to help users identify and block malicious apps on their devices.
Features launched in Android 15 Beta:
The latest beta of Android 15 has revealed a potential feature that could change app security on the platform. As reported by Android Authority, this feature enables the system application like Google Play Services or Play Store to isolate and impose restrictions on detected applications, such as antivirus programs on Windows.
Functions and implementation:
The proposed functionality involves quarantining applications, severely limiting their capabilities once identified as a potential threat. Although the code for this feature exists in Android 15, it remains inactive pending activation. If deployed, quarantined apps will face restrictions such as being prohibited from displaying notifications, hiding windows, stopping operations, and preventing the device from ringing.
Limited access and potential restrictions:
The “QUARANTINE_APPS” permission is expected to be granted exclusively to apps signed by Google certificates, effectively limiting quarantine functionality to the Play Store or Google Play Service. Notably, despite being quarantined, the apps still show up in the app drawer, albeit greyed out. Tapping such icons will notify the user of their unavailability and provide options for recovery.
Uncertainties surrounding implementation:
While this feature was initially observed in the Android 14 developer build in 2022, its fate in Android 15 is still uncertain. If Google continues with the integration, it’s likely that only designated Google entities will have the authority to quarantine apps. Such a tool could prove invaluable in cases where suspicious app behavior is flagged by Google’s Play Protect malware scanner.
EQUAL Android Coming 15 inches closer to the official release date, the inclusion of a feature to quarantine and disable malicious apps underscores Google’s ongoing commitment to enhancing user security. While the specifics of its implementation and widespread availability remain unclear, such innovations signal a proactive approach to protecting the Android ecosystem.
