Google finally brings an iOS-exclusive Drive feature to Android (APK Teardown)

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

TL;DR

Google is working to bring a Privacy Screen feature to Google Drive for Android.
This will be an overdue addition to the Android app, as it has been available on the iOS app for several years.
This feature requires verification before opening the Drive app, giving you an extra layer of security.

It’s not uncommon for Google’s apps on iOS to receive features before their Android counterparts. It looks like this now Google Drive A security feature that has been available in the iOS app for several years is finally available on Android.

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One Disassembling the APK It helps predict features that may come to a service in the future based on working code in progress. However, it is also possible that such projected features will not be made public.

We reviewed the latest version of Google Drive for Android (version 2-24-467-3) and found numerous references to the Privacy Screen feature. One of the strings seen below reads, “When the Privacy Screen opens, you will be asked to verify that you are the one opening this app.”

Code

Verify it’s you
Google
Verify it’s you
Privacy Screen
Require authentication
Your shared data may still be available through internet browsers or other apps
"Notifications Other system functionality"
Privacy Screen may not protect:
When Privacy Screen is turned on, you’ll be asked to verify it’s you when opening this
app
Privacy Screen
Privacy Screen

Google Drive for iOS has had a Privacy Screen feature since 2020, which requires you to scan your fingerprint or face to open the app. So it’s clear that Google is working on bringing this feature to the Android version.

This feature isn’t perfect, as one of the strings suggests that your data can still be accessed via web browsers and other applications. Additionally, Google noted that when the iOS version of Privacy Screen is released, it may not protect your Drive notifications.

Still, this would be a long overdue but welcome addition to Google Drive on Android. People keep a lot of sensitive files on Google’s cloud storage service. So if someone’s phone is unlocked, this will give them an extra layer of security. This can also be useful if you let your kids use your unlocked Android phone or tablet frequently. Stock Android Since the app also does not offer locking functionality, adding this feature to Google Drive will make this feature available to all users.

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