Google has finally released the first stable version of Android 15 to developers through the Android Open-Source Project (AOSP). This means that the new version is stable and the development of Android 15 is almost complete. In this article we will talk about the main features that will appear on your device after the official release.
Android 15: Key features
Accelerated login using Passkey
Passkey promises to replace passwords, and while Android 14 is already compatible with the new authentication system, Google has simplified the process to just one step: biometrics or a screen lock combination.
Updated volume control panel
Android’s extended volume bar has seen a bit of a makeover recently, but Android 15 looks set to go even further. While the current design mirrors the Sound and Vibration menu in Settings, the new design resembles a pop-up widget with thicker bars.
Private space
If you share a device with other people but don’t want (or can’t) create multiple user profiles, the new Private Space feature can help protect your personal information. It works similarly to a number of third-party tools and even some built-in functions in manufacturers’ shells.
Similar to Samsung’s Secure Folder feature in One UI, Android’s Private Space lets you hide apps in a secure folder that can only be opened with a pattern, PIN, password, or biometric authentication. Moreover, you can assign a different Google account to Private Space to keep files separate from other users.
Automatically turn on Bluetooth
After turning off Bluetooth for whatever reason, I often forget to turn it back on. Android 15 will feature a feature that will automatically re-enable the feature, which will be a welcome change if you rely on wireless technology for accessories or other devices.
However, if you prefer to manually control turning Bluetooth on and off, there will be a new toggle in the Bluetooth quick settings drop-down menu to disable this feature, which is also available in Bluetooth settings.
Saving application pairs
Google really took its time with this feature. Saving App Pairs, which has been rumored since at least 2021, allows you to create a shortcut to a specific pair of apps in split-screen mode. This may not be the most useful feature on a compact smartphone, but owners of tablets or foldable devices with a larger screen will be able to multitask directly from the home screen by saving app combinations.Selecting cloud files for Photo Picker
This feature allows apps that use the native Photo Picker to share media to access images stored in Google Photos cloud storage, instead of relying only on local files.
Users of phones with large storage capacity may not notice much of a difference, but the new feature could help many users of phones with low storage capacity who constantly upload files to online storage. This feature could potentially be distributed through Google Play Services and may not be tied to Android 15.
App archiving moves from the Play Store to the system
While the ability to archive apps has been available to Android users for some time now—even with an auto-archive feature for selected apps—Android 15 now pushes the option to the system level, with a dedicated button on the app info screen (the same one used to force stop and delete apps) .
This change may seem minor at first glance, but it will extend the feature to phones using third-party app stores and to ROMs without the Play Store app, including AOSP-based distros.
Improved security and privacy on cellular and Wi-Fi networks
A new Cellular field has been added to the Security & Privacy page in the Settings app. It currently shows options to require encryption when connecting to a cellular network and/or display a notification if the network has insecure settings.
These options can help users avoid connecting to fake cell towers (called Stingrays) that can steal your phone’s or SIM card’s IMSI or IMEI data.
On the Wi-Fi status page, Android 15 adds a new Privacy field that can force the phone to anonymize the MAC address and hide the device name on the current network. These options are especially useful for those who need to connect to public Wi-Fi without passwords, since law-abiding cafe patrons don’t need to know who’s using which phone…
Ability to set default wallet applicationsAs more banking apps offer the ability to act as a wallet on smartphones, Android 15 will finally offer the ability to choose which app can be set as the default. The feature will depend on whether apps enable support for the new field, but the change could be useful if you have multiple apps that can act as an NFC payment system and you primarily use one of them daily.
Weather widgets are now called Pixel Weather widgets on Pixel phones
In a slight change, the standard weather widgets available in Google’s standard Pixel launcher are now organized under the name Pixel Weather. Changing the name does not affect the available widgets, which remain the same as they are now. On the other hand, the applications menu now has a Weather app shortcut that opens the Google Weather page.
Share Auracast audio via Bluetooth
One of the most exciting new features launched with the Bluetooth LE Audio specification, aside from the more efficient LC3 codec, is the ability to broadcast audio from a single source to multiple headphones and/or speakers. Known as Auracast, this feature is typically demonstrated in public spaces offering shared audio streaming in a museum or stadium, but it can also be used on personal devices.
To make Auracast easier to use, Android 15 adds a new Audio Sharing page on the Connected Devices page in the Settings app. Enabling this option allows you to connect multiple Auracast-enabled headphones, in-ear headphones, and speakers and send audio to all of them simultaneously.
High Quality USB Webcam Mode
The December Pixel Feature Drop for Android 14 added a USB webcam mode to Pixel phones. And while the image quality was much better than standard laptop cameras, there still seemed to be room for improvement.
Android 15 adds a small “HD” icon to this feature on the preview screen, offering the option to enable a higher quality mode. When testing the new option on a Pixel 7a phone, we didn’t notice any significant improvements. But it’s possible that using a more premium smartphone with a high-bandwidth cable will yield different results.
Native satellite supportCompanies in the Android ecosystem were quick to respond after Apple added satellite messaging features to iPhone 14 models. Some of the alternatives are still working, others were killed before launch. However, all satellite options on Android have the same problem: each requires its own app, making them incompatible.
Android 15 aims to change that by adding native satellite support. Apps will be able to check whether a device is outside of traditional cellular coverage but connected to a satellite. And messaging applications, including RCS, will be able to switch to NTN (non-traditional terrestrial network, i.e. satellite) connections to send or receive messages.
Changes to Bluetooth quick settings
The Bluetooth quick settings button in the Android 15 preview now works slightly differently than in previous versions. Instead of turning BT on/off or serving as a shortcut to Bluetooth settings with a long press, pressing the button now opens a small pop-up window with basic options. This is similar to how the Internet button works for Wi-Fi and mobile data.
Keyboard vibration toggle in the Settings app
Some keyboard apps offer the option to provide haptic feedback as you type, but each keyboard presents this option differently. In Android 15, Google offers this option natively in the Settings app by going to Sound & Vibration > Vibration & Haptics > Keyboard Vibration. The switch requires the keyboard app to support the native option, but hopefully the core apps will be updated to the stable Android 15 release.
Notification fading
Receiving a lot of notifications in quick succession can be annoying at best, and Google is preparing a change in Android 15 to “lower notification volume when you receive many consecutive notifications from the same app.” The new feature will likely be welcomed by users in many chat groups or popular social media profiles, for example.
Camera Innovation: Empowering Third-Party Apps
One of the notable improvements in Android 15 concerns the transformation of camera access for third-party apps. Imagine Instagram and TikTok providing the same image and video quality as your phone’s main camera app. This is becoming reality.Android 15 will allow full use of the camera hardware, offering enhanced in-app controls. This means you’ll be able to adjust settings like lighting and color directly within your favorite apps, elevating your content creation experience.
Home Screen Effectiveness: App Pair Shortcuts
Another interesting feature coming to Android 15 is the creation of app pair shortcuts. This allows you to run two apps simultaneously from the home screen, which is a boon for multitasking. Whether it’s planning your day with calendar and email side by side or following a recipe while watching a video, this feature is designed to make your phone work smarter.
Custom Screen Recording: Custom Content Capture
Android 15 should also introduce a selective screen recording feature. Instead of recording your entire screen, you’ll be able to select a specific area of the app to capture. This precision allows you to create more focused and relevant content, whether creating tutorials or demonstrating app features.
Gaming and security improvements: Smooth and secure performance
For gamers, Android 15 enhances the gaming experience with new APIs that improve dynamic performance in games. Expect better thermal management and smoother gameplay, eliminating the need for external accelerators. On the security front, Android 15 introduces secure file management with custom cryptographic signatures, making your data more secure than ever.
Other changes in Android 15:
• On devices with large screens, it will be possible to always display the taskbar.
• On foldable phones, you will be able to choose the default behavior when closing the device: automatically turn on the external display, continue working with the same application only after swiping up on the external display, or always lock the phone.
• Apps will be able to run on external screens, even on devices that don’t fully support running apps on a small external display.
• Applications will be able to detect whether a screen recording task is running in the background.
• A new setting will allow apps to report volume metadata, and Android 15 will adjust volume to ensure consistent volume levels across apps.
• PDF support in applications will have the ability to select, search and edit forms in embedded documents, as well as open password-protected files.• The Color Contrast option is now available on the Display Settings page as an alternative to the current link in the Wallpaper & Style menu.
• Changing the screen timeout setting requires authentication.
• Storage settings now separate “System” data into OS files and temporary files.
Android 15: Release date and availability
Google began development of Android 15 in February with a developer preview, followed by the first beta in April and the third beta in June, which marked “platform stability.”
The final version of Android 15 is now available for developers to study and test applications. While the exact release date for general users has not been confirmed, Android 15 is expected to arrive on Pixel devices in October.
Android 15: What will it be called?
We know Google has gone back to using numbers only for versions of its system, but the tradition of dessert nicknames continues among the development team, where it all began.
After Android 14’s exotic “Upside Down Cake”, Android 15 will keep things simple, with the dessert name confirmed back in March 2023: “Vanilla Ice Cream”.
Android 15: Which devices will receive it?
Google Pixel devices, including the new Pixel 9 (review), which launched with Android 14, and the Pixel 8 to Pixel 6 series, will receive the Android 15 update. Other manufacturers (OEMs) are expected to follow suit, releasing updates between from the end of this year to the beginning of 2025.
Since Android development is now fairly predictable, we’ve created a guide listing devices eligible for the new Android 15 update – I recommend checking it to see if your device is included.
Android 15: How to try the update
If you want to try Android 15, you have two options other than using Android 15 AOSP. First, you can join the Android QPR program and install QPR1 Beta 1 on a supported device. If you are already using the developer beta, you will be automatically upgraded to QPR1.
The second option is to use the Android 15 stable beta, which now includes the Pixel lineup. Google is also distributing the final version of Android 15 to these users. You won’t need to erase your data when you exit the program after receiving the update.
Availability of the update for other brands and models will vary greatly.
