Overview & Technical Summary
Virtual workspace for apps
Shelter
is a free
utility
application developed by Paper Airplane Dev Team. This tool can help users
install or clone applications
inside a
separate virtual space
from the rest of their phones. They can set strict permissions, as well as run two accounts in the case of online services.
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Similar to the way
virtual machines
like
VirtualBox
work, Shelter allows users to run and use applications isolated from the rest of the operating system. The benefits of this come in the form of
increased control
as it can block access to mobile data,
identify misbehaving apps
, and others.
Isolated instances
For developers, or even just average users, virtual machines serve as a good way to
test out applications
within a contained space separate from their OS. One major downside, though, is they require high RAM and capable hardware to run properly. Here then comes Shelter, an app that basically provides the
next best thing
, a virtual space that provides similar capabilities for your apps.
This app features a tabbed interface divided in two, with the first being the
Main
window where all your installed apps will be listed and selected. Once chosen, proceed to the second Shelter tab to manage and open them. You can
Freeze
them from running and consuming mobile data, or
Clone
them to use two accounts at the same time for social media, messaging, and the like.
Additionally, there is an
Auto-Freeze
feature, which as its name suggests, will freeze any chosen app even from outside. Just a couple of things to note before proceeding. The first is that you will need to grant
Device Admin access
to your device, and the second is that the app depends on your Android's
Work Profiles
to function. Also, you're
still vulnerable to security breaches
if not careful.
A great alternative
In conclusion, Shelter is
a great alternative
to virtual machines that does similar things without the high hardware requirements. It's easy to use and set up and offers various customization options to control your apps. Just know that it still has its limitations, but for what it does, it's worth giving it a try and seeing for yourself if it's for you. Recommended.