Top 15 new features of Android 15 (2024): How to install, features, release date

The next version of Google’s mobile operating system—Android 15—will launch with many new features and improvements. Google promises productivity improvements, better privacy and security, and smoother performance. There are also upgrades for devices with foldable screens and larger screens. Android 15 is currently only available as a beta for select devices, and the final release will be in a few months. But we tested it, and here are the new features we love so far.

Official Google Leave dessert naming behind with Android 10but it still uses the internal codename. Android 14 is an upside down cakeand this year’s release is Vanilla Ice Cream.

Special offer for Gear readers: Take WIRED for only $5 ($25 off). This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com, full Gear coverage and a subscriber-only newsletter. Subscribing helps fund the work we do every day.

How to download and install Android 15

Google released the first beta of Android 15 in April, with further releases planned for May, June and July, before the final public release, possibly in September. 8 or October. These releases let developers test upcoming versions of Google’s mobile operating system, learn about new features, and prepare their app or game for action. normal movement. They are also giving early adopters a chance to preview Android 15.

Although the beta release is more stable than the developer preview, you may still encounter some bugs and need to go through a few steps to install them, so it is not recommended for all everybody. If you want to try it out, you’ll need a Google Pixel phone (Pixel 6 or later) or Supported partner devices (including selected phones from Honor, Nothing, OnePlus and Xiaomi). You must register for these Android test program. Most program subscribers will receive the OTA (over-the-air) beta update without wiping their phone, but you won’t be able to exit the beta program without it. restore factory settings. Ensure Backup your Android phone Firstly.

Updates usually pop up automatically, but you can always check you have the latest version in Setting > System > System update By typing Check for updates. Want to get out of beta and go back to Android 14? Go to Google Android Beta pageScroll down to find your device and tap Opt out. This will delete all locally saved data, so back up your device first. You will receive an update prompt to go back to the earlier version.

Those who don’t have a Pixel or a supported partner device should check their phone manufacturer’s website, forums or social media to find out when Android 15 is available.

Top new features of Android 15

These are our favorite features and improvements so far, but we won’t know for sure what makes the final cut until Android 15 is released. You can learn more at Google developer site. And be sure to read our story on all the new features coming to Android and the Android ecosystem—including Wear OS, Android Auto, and Android TV—in this story here.

Private space

Courtesy of Google

Android 15 includes a new PrivateSpace, where you can separate sensitive apps from the rest of your phone. Whether you want to protect your health data or your banking apps, PrivateSpace keeps them safe behind a second layer of authentication, protected by the same password you use to unlock your device or replacement PIN. When your PrivateSpace is locked, apps are hidden from recent view, notifications, settings, and more. You can also completely delete your private space.

Add satellite connection

Courtesy of Google

There’s a significant expansion to satellite connectivity in Android 15. Some RCS and SMS apps can now send text messages via satellite (previously this was limited to emergency use). ). Google has also standardized pop-ups and other user interface elements to help you understand better when you’re connected via satellite.

Partial screen recording

Instead of recording or sharing your entire screen, in Android 15 you can share individual apps without exposing the rest of your screen or incoming notifications. Login information and one-time passwords (OTPs) are automatically hidden from remote viewers. This feature was already available on Pixels but now Google has brought it to Android.

Block malicious applications

Several updates in Android 15 make life harder for malicious apps. They can no longer hide behind other apps by bringing them to the foreground or invisibly overlaying them on top. There are also changes designed to prevent intent exploits, allowing you to start an activity in another app by describing the action you want to perform as these are often vulnerable to malware. abuse. This is a behind-the-scenes tool to keep users safer.

Application storage

If you haven’t used an app or game in a while, you might be prompted to delete it, but what if you think you might use it again in the future? ? With app storage in Android 15, you can offload most apps by archiving while preserving user settings or saving in-game data. The auto-archive feature was announced last year, but Android 15 makes it a system-wide option, so people can choose to automatically archive apps when they’re running low on storage.

Better PDF handling

Courtesy of Google

Trying to do anything with PDF files on your Android phone can be a pain, so the news that Google has bundled some PDF improvements into Android 15 is welcome. PDFs will load more smoothly, and there’s now support for password-protected files, annotations, form editing, and copy selection. Perhaps the best part is that you can now search within PDF files.

Enhanced fraud and scam protection

There are several updates in Android 15 aimed at stopping scammers and scammers. Google will use AI through Play Protect and across devices to scan and flag suspicious behavior. Messages containing one-time passwords (OTPs), commonly used in two-factor authentication, are now hidden from the notification system, making them more difficult to block. Restricted settings are also being extended to sideloaded apps—those not downloaded through the Google Play Store.

Noise control

It can be jarring when you switch from one app to another and the volume suddenly spikes. Thankfully, Android 15 introduced support for CTA-2075 volume standard. That means it compares volume across apps, takes into account the characteristics of your speakers, headphones or earbuds, and intelligently adjusts the sound to ensure there are no jumps or drops. suddenly.

The camera takes better low-light photos

There are some significant improvements to the camera app in Android 15. First, Low Light Boost helps with better preview in low light, so you can frame night shots better, and Scan QR code when light is limited. There are also new camera app options that give you better control over the flash so you can adjust the intensity for both single flash mode and continuous flashlight mode.

Taskbar options

For Android tablets and foldable phones, Google has changed the way the taskbar works. At first it was permanent, then it was temporary and now you can choose. This is useful for docked tablets where you might want the taskbar to always be visible, but it’s also nice to have the option to hide it. You can also pin your favorite split-screen app combinations. Android 15 allows apps to display edge-to-edge so they can take advantage of more available screen space, even when there’s a taskbar or system bar at the bottom.

Better battery life

There are always improvements and efficiency improvements in Android updates that will have a positive impact on battery life, but with Android 15, Google is putting more checks on foreground and background services. Restrict applications from continuing to run in an active state. Devices with more RAM will also have faster camera and app launch times with lower power consumption thanks to support for larger page sizes.

Good vibrations

Android 15 lets you enable or disable keyboard vibration system-wide instead of having to dig into the keyboard settings. There’s a new toggle in Setting > Sound and vibration > Vibration and touch, where you can also use the slider to adjust the haptic intensity (this is a feature that was available on select Android phones but is now available system-wide). The second beta also introduces multiple vibration modes so people can identify between different types of notifications without looking at the screen.

Other foldable cover display options

Some best folding phone automatically transfers whatever action you’re doing to the external screen when you fold it, but Google is now integrating that option into Android 15. If you want the external screen to lock when you fold it, that will be available too. is an option. There’s also more support for apps displaying on smaller screens with the more compact flip phone category.

More data on health connectivity

Health Connect started out as an app that brings together all your health and fitness data from different devices and apps. It comes with Android 14 pre-installed, but Android 15 will add two new types of data: skin temperature (collected by wearables like Oura Ring and Pixel Watch 2) as well as workout plans—can include completion goals for calories burned, distance, duration, repetitions, and steps, as well as performance goals with reps as much as possible (AMRAP), cadence, heart rate, power, rate of perceived exertion, and speed.

Advanced anti-theft protection

Courtesy of Google

Many new Android protection measures that Google is about to deploy to deter thieves—such as automatic locking when someone grabs your phone, as well as remote locking options—will be available on devices running Android 10 or later. However, the update to factory reset protection, which prevents thieves from forcibly resetting a stolen device without knowing your device or Google account credentials, is only available in Android 15.