Apps can now be locked with a PIN thanks to Android Automotive. This is how it operates.
Google has revealed Sensitive App Protection, a new feature for Android Automotive that lets users lock particular apps with a PIN.
This is very helpful because, in contrast to personal phones, cars with the Android Automotive system are shared spaces where several passengers can access the system.
Up until now, creating a profile to enable, say, playing music, also gave you complete access to every application, which puts your privacy at risk.
This modification will allow users to safeguard apps like Chrome or WhatsApp, protecting their private messages and browsing history while travelers utilize the rest of the entertainment system.
You can find the settings in the "Settings and Privacy" section, specifically under "App Lock." You can then choose which apps to protect, activate the feature, and create a 4–16-digit PIN. You can reset your PIN by logging into the Google account associated with your profile if you forget it.
It is the duty of automakers to incorporate this feature into their vehicles since it is distributed as a stand-alone application. The user interface is shielded from unwanted access even though locked apps can still operate in the background and exchange data with other apps.
Apps that are necessary for the system, such as Assistant, Maps, and Settings, cannot be blocked. A comparable feature for phones is also being developed by Google.
We will have to wait until 2026 because it is currently unlikely that any automaker has incorporated this feature.