Android

Android L to bring a multi-user mode to smartphones?

posted by Florin T. / Aug 06, 2014, 1:49 PM

Android L to bring a multi-user mode to smartphones?

While Google didn’t say exactly when it will make Android L available, we know a lot about the features that the new version of Android includes - after all, a Developer Preview can already be downloaded. Of course, more features will be added before Android L gets to be officially released, and one of them may be support for multi-user modes on handsets.

Answering to a post that requests the enabling of multi-user modes on Android smartphones, a developer at Google today stated that “the development team has implemented this feature and it will be available as a part of the next public build.” Android L isn’t mentioned, but “the next public build” almost certainly refers to it.

Tablets running Android 4.2 or later already support multi-user modes, so it’s about time to see this available on phones, too. Having the ability to create multiple profiles on a smartphone could be very useful to those wanting to separate their personal profile from their business profile. Moreover, users with kids can create profiles for them (which would restrict purchases, or access to certain apps).

Until we hear more about this, you can check out our Android L preview here, and our Android L vs. Android KitKat visual comparison here.

source: Google via Android Police

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29 Comments

1. pavsidhu

Posts: 214; Member since: May 20, 2014

I've been waiting for this feature!

posted on Aug 06, 2014, 2:01 PM 5

2. MetroEye

Posts: 11; Member since: Jul 31, 2014

A la "Kids corner" or "Apps corner" on windows phone.

posted on Aug 06, 2014, 2:02 PM 2

23. joey_sfb

Posts: 6794; Member since: Mar 29, 2012

Obviously never bother to read the article. The correct comparison is multi user profile like the windows desktop with group policy. Dumb ass WP8 fan.

posted on Aug 06, 2014, 10:23 PM 6

25. JC557

Posts: 1917; Member since: Dec 07, 2011

This isn't like that at all. Besides the GS 5 and HTC One (M7 and M8) have Kids modes as well and I'm pretty sure other OEMs have their own versions.

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 12:15 AM 0

3. juandante

Posts: 679; Member since: Apr 23, 2013

android needs far more important features like advanced wlan settings, a better notification center with history, move and install those damn apps to sd card, less dependencies for app install, a damn better task manager where you can access it easily and now exactly what is hapening. please add these features first and then we will talk about thid.

posted on Aug 06, 2014, 2:04 PM 8

9. SellPhones82

Posts: 569; Member since: Dec 11, 2008

Since Google removed support to move apps to the SD card in KitKat I highly doubt they will be bring it back. They want SD cards to be used for media only, plus it's a potential security issue since FAT-based systems don't support file and folder permissions. Those apps you install to the SD could access other data on the card that you might not want it to. That said, there are "fixes" to add the functionality back if you really want it.

posted on Aug 06, 2014, 3:02 PM 1

18. juandante

Posts: 679; Member since: Apr 23, 2013

Invalid answer. As an open operating system google should authorize at least as an option to be able to install apps on sd card. even with a warning. Secondly. the fixes are not perfect as they are buggy and not natively supported by google. last. if it's a security problem with file system. why not format the card with a linux format ! i think this is exactly the answer that great engineers like them should focus on instead of those less important things like multi user.

posted on Aug 06, 2014, 5:29 PM 5

19. juandante

Posts: 679; Member since: Apr 23, 2013

they could use a security in android layout if fat don't have file system permissions. you see. there is potentially a lot of roads to take and it is their job not mine to find the best. symbian was using fat and could manage those permissions problems.

posted on Aug 06, 2014, 5:37 PM 1

26. joey_sfb

Posts: 6794; Member since: Mar 29, 2012

Google should set Android defaults file system to Ext4; and support NTFS officially. This will get the corporate IT on board. http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/33552/htg-explains-which-linux-file-system-should-you-choose/

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 12:28 AM 0

22. rd_nest

Posts: 1656; Member since: Jun 06, 2010

+1 This is not such an important feature in phones. Much less useful than kid's corner in Samsung devices.

posted on Aug 06, 2014, 8:31 PM 0

4. N-fanboy

Posts: 543; Member since: Jan 12, 2013

Who shares phones???

posted on Aug 06, 2014, 2:08 PM 5

6. juandante

Posts: 679; Member since: Apr 23, 2013

your mom to your kids ?

posted on Aug 06, 2014, 2:14 PM 6

14. rromerof

Posts: 57; Member since: Nov 28, 2012

Ohh!! That would be a Kids Corner.

posted on Aug 06, 2014, 4:05 PM 1

21. 87186

Posts: 312; Member since: Aug 01, 2014

parents, with their children.

posted on Aug 06, 2014, 8:26 PM 0

29. techspace

Posts: 1037; Member since: Sep 03, 2012

My friends play games on my phone and i dont want to give them access to everything in it...I have always wanted this feature

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 7:17 AM 0

7. javy108

Posts: 1004; Member since: Jul 27, 2014

As LG G2?

posted on Aug 06, 2014, 2:18 PM 0

8. sip1995

Posts: 1771; Member since: Feb 07, 2014

Kids corner.....enough said.

posted on Aug 06, 2014, 2:32 PM 4

10. billgates

Posts: 555; Member since: May 29, 2014

This should have been implemented long ago tbh

posted on Aug 06, 2014, 3:04 PM 0

11. Deaconclgi

Posts: 405; Member since: Nov 03, 2012

It was....on Windows Phone. So long ago that Windows Phone now has 2 different implementations of this.

posted on Aug 06, 2014, 3:09 PM 2

28. joey_sfb

Posts: 6794; Member since: Mar 29, 2012

WP8 fans always like to mention their beloved wp8 in Android article but blame us for visiting their wp8 article, our constant reminders of their tiny marketshare. Their overall underpower mobile os by a convicted monopolist bastard.

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 1:40 AM 2

12. adrian.tilinca

Posts: 1; Member since: Aug 06, 2014

first they need to realy offer a multi-user mode. if someone whant to give permision to another user for a file or folder... that person has to upload the files to box/drive etc and share from there. second they have to create a font manager. every app it using its owne fonts and THE USER has not the possibility to instal and to use let's say in his word documents what ever font he whants. third - the OEM's can put two apps side by side. Windows is making this for years (also Mac). Why Android doesn't give the possibility to have to apps side by side and to really multitask. with the Material design they had to take also this in consideration . but they didn't God work google. you have a lot to do in order to reach the level of productivity that other platforms is offering and that you through Chrom OS/Android are tring to eliminate