Shelter APK is a free and open-source Android application that uses Android’s built-in Work Profile feature to create a separate, isolated space for apps.
It can be useful when you want to keep certain applications separated from your main Android profile, run a second copy of an app, or prevent selected apps from running in the background when you are not using them. The project is open source and was originally created by PeterCxy.
Shelter APK Details
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| App Name | Shelter |
| Latest Stable F-Droid Version | 1.9.1 |
| APK Size | About 2.6 MiB |
| Android Required | Android 7.0+ |
| Category | Tools / Productivity |
| Developer | PeterCxy |
| Package Name | net.typeblog.shelter |
| File Format | APK |
| Price | Free |
| License | GPL-3.0 |
| Latest Stable F-Droid Release | December 12, 2023 |
| Open Source | Yes |
F-Droid lists version 1.9.1 (445) as its suggested stable release and requires Android 7.0 or newer. The F-Droid APK is approximately 2.6 MiB.
What Is Shelter?
Shelter is an Android utility that uses the Work Profile system provided by Android.
Instead of modifying Android itself, Shelter creates a separate profile where you can install or clone applications. Apps inside this profile are separated from apps in your normal personal profile.
This makes Shelter different from ordinary app-cloning applications because it uses Android’s native Work Profile functionality.
How Does Shelter Work?
After installation, Shelter guides you through creating an Android Work Profile.
Once the profile is created, supported applications can be installed inside the Shelter profile.
You can then manage those applications separately from your normal Android apps.
The basic workflow is:
Create Work Profile → Install/Clone App → Use Separate Profile → Freeze When Needed
The exact options available can depend on your phone manufacturer’s Android implementation.
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Main Features
Isolated Work Profile
Shelter creates a separate environment for selected applications using Android’s Work Profile feature.
Clone Apps
One of Shelter’s useful features is the ability to install two copies of the same application on one Android device. One copy can remain in the personal profile while another runs inside the Work Profile.
Freeze Apps
Shelter can freeze applications inside the Work Profile. Frozen apps cannot normally run or wake themselves in the background until you unfreeze them.
Open Source
Shelter is free and open-source software. Its source code is publicly available.
No Traditional Account Required
Shelter is primarily a local Android Work Profile management tool rather than an online social or cloud service.
Separate App Data
Applications installed inside the Work Profile maintain their own separate app environment and data.
Is Shelter Safe?
Shelter itself is open-source and uses Android’s official Work Profile APIs.
However, the developer specifically notes that Shelter’s security depends partly on the Work Profile implementation provided by your Android operating system.
Therefore, Shelter should not be described as a guaranteed privacy or security solution for every Android device.
Does Shelter Require Root?
No, Shelter is designed around Android’s Work Profile APIs rather than requiring root access.
However, some device manufacturers may restrict or change Work Profile functionality. As a result, compatibility can differ between Android devices.
Android Requirements
The latest stable F-Droid release, Shelter 1.9.1, requires Android 7.0 or newer.
Newer development builds may have different requirements, so users should check the specific release before installation.
What’s New?
The latest stable version currently listed by F-Droid is 1.9.1 (445). It was added to F-Droid on December 12, 2023.
The upstream project continues to receive maintenance work. The developer’s repository states that Shelter is in maintenance mode, while still intending to adapt it to new Android versions and update dependencies when needed.
This is why it is better to distinguish the latest stable F-Droid release from newer development work.
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Pros & Cons
Pros
- Free and open source
- Uses Android Work Profile
- Can isolate selected apps
- Can clone applications
- Can freeze Work Profile apps
- Lightweight APK
- No root required for normal use
- Open-source code
Cons
- Device compatibility can vary
- Work Profile behaviour depends on the Android manufacturer
- Some apps may not work correctly inside the Work Profile
- Project is mainly in maintenance mode
- Latest stable F-Droid release is older than some current Android versions
Who Should Use Shelter?
Shelter can be useful for Android users who want to:
- Keep work and personal apps separate
- Run a second copy of an application
- Isolate selected apps
- Stop background activity from selected Work Profile apps
- Experiment with a separate Android profile
- Use an open-source alternative to proprietary app-cloning tools
Shelter APK Download
The official project recommends obtaining Shelter through F-Droid or the developer’s own repository. The developer warns that versions signed by different sources cannot simply be switched between without uninstalling the existing Shelter installation first.
The official F-Droid package is:
net.typeblog.shelter
The current stable F-Droid version is 1.9.1 (445).
For security, avoid random modified Shelter APKs claiming to provide premium or unlocked features. Shelter is already free and open source.
Official F-Droid Version
F-Droid currently lists Shelter 1.9.1 as its suggested stable version. It is built and signed by F-Droid and has a reproducible-build record.
FAQs
What is Shelter APK?
Shelter APK is the Android installation package for Shelter, an open-source app that uses Android Work Profiles to isolate and manage applications.
Is Shelter free?
Yes. Shelter is free and open-source software.
Does Shelter require root?
No. Shelter is designed to use Android’s Work Profile APIs rather than requiring root.
What is the Shelter package name?
The package name is net.typeblog.shelter.
What is the latest stable Shelter version?
F-Droid currently lists version 1.9.1 (445) as the suggested stable release.
What Android version does Shelter require?
The current stable F-Droid release requires Android 7.0 or newer.
Can Shelter clone apps?
Yes. Shelter can install a second copy of an application inside the Work Profile.
Can Shelter freeze apps?
Yes. Apps inside the Work Profile can be frozen so they do not run or wake in the background until they are unfrozen.
Is Shelter a virtual Android phone?
No. Shelter does not create a complete virtual Android device. It uses Android’s built-in Work Profile functionality to create a separate application environment.
Does Shelter work on every Android phone?
Not necessarily. Its functionality depends on how the phone’s Android system implements Work Profiles. The developer specifically documents this as a limitation.
Final Note
Shelter APK is a lightweight open-source Android tool for creating a separate Work Profile and managing apps inside it. Its main uses are app isolation, app cloning and freezing selected applications.
The currently verified stable F-Droid release is Shelter 1.9.1, requiring Android 7.0+. Because the project is maintained separately from F-Droid’s stable release cycle, it is better to verify the exact version before publishing a “latest version” claim.