Google is rolling out a new “Privacy Screen” feature this week that will allow Google Drive users on iOS devices to use passcodes or biometric authentication to protect their files.
Privacy Screen will use Face ID, Touch ID or a passcode to lock the app — only bringing documents and files into view when the app verifies you are using it.
The feature is activated each time you close the Drive app and reopen it and also locks files if you switch between Google Drive and another app, according to a Google spokesperson. You’ll have the option to turn this feature on and adjust its timing in Drive settings.
“Sometimes you might want a little more privacy for documents stored on your phone,” the spokesperson told Digital Trends. “You might share devices with family or loved ones more often if you’re working from home.”
Correction: An earlier version of this story misidentified the scope of the feature. Privacy Screen locks the entire Google Drive app.
Related Posts
You Asked: Nintendo Switch 2, Best Android Phones, and OLED Upgrades
Question from @kennethcheung4938: We haven’t seen much of the new OS yet—is it similar to the original Switch OS, or is it a full overhaul? If it’s the latter, will we still be able to play games from outside our native region? For example, if I have a U.S. Switch, can I buy physical game cartridges in Japan and still play them in English?
Android 16 is finally expanding beyond Google Pixel phones
Developers who have optimized their apps to target Android 16 can now ship their updates via the Google Play Store. The latest beta update is also the near-final version, as all the app behaviours and background functionalities have been finalized.
Gemini AI coming to cars as Android Automotive update suggests it’s due soon
This would make sense as Android Automotive already uses Google's Assistant to help with those much-needed in-car hands-free requests.