privacy-in-practice
Use Android Private Space for a Period App
Use this checklist before you put a period app in Android Private Space. Check the lock, hidden setting, alerts, Health Connect, backups, files, and old accounts.
Private Space can help when someone may glance at your phone. It gives some apps a separate locked place.
It is not a full privacy plan. A period app may still have an account. It may still write health data. It may still save files.
Use this checklist before you rely on it.
Quick choice
If this is true Do this first You share your phone sometimes Set up Private Space. Alerts show private words Fix alerts first. You use Health Connect Check app health access. You used location in the app Audit location permission. You want to leave the app Export, delete the account, then uninstall.
For a full Android check, use Audit Period Data on Android.
1. Set up Private Space
Google says Private Space can open from All Apps or Settings. Google says it can use a Private Space lock or your screen lock. Google also says you can hide Private Space when it is locked.
Open Settings. Search for Private Space. Set it up if your phone supports it. Pick a lock you can remember. Put the period app inside Private Space. Lock Private Space. Choose the hidden setting if you need it. Open it once to test the lock.
Phone menus can vary. If you do not see Private Space, your Android version or phone may not support it.
2. Move only what belongs there
Do not use Private Space as a junk drawer. Keep it small.
Period app. Fertility app, if you use one. Notes app, only if it holds cycle notes. File app, only if you keep exports there.
Skip apps that do not need to be there. Less data is easier to check.
3. Fix alerts
A locked space does not help if alerts say too much.
Open Settings. Tap Notifications. Tap App notifications. Choose the period app. Hide lock screen content. Turn off lock screen alerts if needed. Turn off sound if it draws attention. Check watch, car, and tablet alerts.
Use neutral reminder words:
Check app. Log today. Health note.
For a deeper check, use Make Period App Notifications Private.
4. Check Health Connect
Private Space does not replace a health data audit.
Open Settings. Search Health Connect. Open App permissions. Tap each period or health app. Review what it can read. Review what it can write. Remove access you do not need.
Look for cycle, menstruation, ovulation, symptoms, sexual activity, and fertility data.
5. Check app accounts
If the app has a login, the company may have data outside your phone.
Open the period app. Find the account email. Check if it uses Google sign in. Look for sync, backup, export, and delete. Export what you need. Delete the account if you are leaving. Uninstall last.
Use the period app data map worksheet to list every copy.
6. Check files and photos
Exports and screenshots are easy to forget.
Check Downloads. Check Files. Check Google Drive. Check Photos. Check screenshots. Delete files you do not need. Rename files you need to keep.
Use plain file names. "Health notes July" reveals less than a diagnosis or cycle label.
7. Check location
Most period apps do not need exact location.
Open Settings. Tap Location. Tap App location permissions. Pick the period app. Set it to Not allowed if you do not need it. Turn off Precise location if the phone offers that choice.
Use the location permission audit for more help.
8. Use less data next time
FTC guidance tells health app makers to collect less data, build privacy in, limit access, test security, and give clear choices. Use that same test for your own setup.
Keep only the notes you use. Skip location. Skip photos. Skip sex notes unless you need them. Skip cloud sync unless you need it. Use neutral reminders.
9. Small scripts
If someone asks why there is a locked space:
I keep private apps separate. I do it for health, money, and notes.
If you need help from a friend:
Please help me check alerts, Health Connect, and files. I do not need health advice.
Done check
Private Space is set up and locked. It is hidden when locked if you need that. Alerts do not show private words. Health Connect access is checked. Location access is checked. Files, photos, and exports are checked. Old app accounts are deleted or limited.
For a lower data setup, see Floriva anonymous tracking setup.