When you encrypt your Android phone, various types of data are secured. Here are the primary categories of Android data that can be encrypted:
Storage: The most fundamental aspect of Android encryption is encrypting the entire storage, including the system files, apps, and user data. This means that if someone gains unauthorized access to your device, they won't be able to access the stored data without the encryption key.
Files and Media: Encryption protects files, documents, photos, videos, and other media stored on the device. Even if you connect your device to a computer, the files remain encrypted unless unlocked.
App Data: Data stored by individual apps is encrypted. This includes login credentials, app-specific settings, and any other information associated with installed applications.
Cache and Temporary Files: Temporary files and cached data are also encrypted. This adds an extra layer of protection to potentially sensitive information stored temporarily by apps.
SD Card: If you use an SD card as internal storage, it will also be encrypted along with the internal storage.
It's important to note that encryption doesn't directly encrypt data during transmission. For example, data sent over a network (e.g., Wi-Fi, mobile data) is typically encrypted separately using protocols like SSL/TLS for internet traffic or WPA3 for Wi-Fi. Android's encryption focuses on protecting data at rest on the device.