Android 15, the latest version of Andriod OS, has several new features and improvements. It has introduced a tight security system, which protects personal information from theft and fraud by theft detection lock that uses AI to automatically lock the phone if it is stolen. The new camera features include Low Light Boost, in-app camera controls, and HDR headroom controls. This update supports the CTA-2075 loudness standard to help avoid loudness inconsistencies and introduces a separate area to organize sensitive apps that are invisible to others when locked.
Its other features include Screen recording detection, App archiving, Automatic language switching refinements, and Health Connect. Even though updating to Android 15 is not mandatory, they are very much recommended to keep the data safe and prevent theft. Also, it is easy to update to Android 15 and can be done on most supported Pixel devices. This article shall discuss downloading Android 15 and more about the update. So, keep reading.
Features of Android 15
The new features of this update include:
- Theft protection: The Android 15 update offers a security feature that helps detect and recover a stolen device. This feature includes offline device lock, failed authentication lock, remote lock, factory reset protection, and theft detection lock.
- USB Lockdown: The Android 15 USB Lockdown feature provides extra security to your phone by disabling biometrics. With Android 15, Google locks access to file storage while your phone is in lockdown mode. So, for those who are trying to access the data of your phone by connecting to a computer, there is no luck.
- Private space: This update lets users create a separate space for sensitive apps with additional authentication. It acts as a digital safe for apps like social, banking, or dating apps. Once the private space is locked, those apps will be hidden from the app list, notifications, and settings. To use Private Space, you need to go to Settings, then Security and Privacy, and enable Private Space.
- App pairs: Users can now pair frequently used apps to the home screen for quick access. This allows you to retrieve your favorite apps on a split screen with a single tap.
- App detection: This update helps detect when apps are being recorded and informs the user.
- Partial screen recording: Users can now share or record just an app window or a part of the screen rather than the entire device screen.
- Predictive Back updates: Android 15 brings Predictive Back, a feature that helps users get a preview of the screen that will load up when they swipe from one edge for the back gesture.
- Wallpaper editor: This new feature offers a redesigned wallpaper editor.
- Pinnable taskbar: Users can easily pin or unpin the taskbar on a larger screen to keep their favorite apps within reach.
- Satellite connectivity: This new update makes it possible to send and receive messages without cell service. Google has standardized pop-ups and other user interface elements for satellite connectivity, making it easier to connect without cell service.
- Multitasking: Android 15 has improved multitasking capabilities for tablets and foldables. The larger displays make it easier to multitask and manage workloads with two apps running simultaneously.
- Parental screen recording: This new update allows you to record the contents of the screen selectively. You can choose to record a specific app or the entire screen. If you have chosen to record only a specific part of the app, the screen recording will only include parts from the selected app and black out the rest of the section. This option prevents you from leaking private information through screen recordings.
- Low-light boost: This new feature has improved the camera’s performance in low light.
- In-app camera controls: With this update, users can have more controls for cameras within apps.
- Volume controls: Android 15 has updated volume controls.
- Predictive back gestures: This feature uses predictive back gestures.
- PDF rendering: Users can search embedded PDF files with this update.
Also Read: Google Confirms Android 16: What To Expect In Early 2025
How to download Android 15?
Here is the list of devices that support the latest Android OS:
- Pixel 6
- Pixel 6 Pr
- Pixel 6 A
- Pixel 7
- Pixel 7 Pro
- Pixel 7A
- Pixel 8
- Pixel 8 Pro
- Pixel 8A
- Pixel Fold
- Pixel Tablet
- Pixel 9
- Pixel 9 Pro
- Pixel 9 Pro XL
Android 15 update will also be available to download on selected devices including Samsung, Motorola, Lenovo, Nothing, and OnePlus. These devices have received an open beta update based on Android 15.
Android 15 does not represent a big change from Android 14 except it brings new features. The main purpose of this new update is to bring security features that will help protect the user’s personal information like finance and health from theft and fraud. This update helps protect sensitive data using Artificial Intelligence to detect any theft or fraud automatically. It is best to back up your phone with the previous version before downloading Android 15 if you ever wish to downgrade from Android 15 to Android 14. If you have automatic backups, your phone will have the recent backup but if not, you will need to do it manually. To manually do it, go to Settings, then you can find System. Choose Backup and click Back up now. Also, you can back up your device to your computer.
Let us now see how to download Android 15:
- To download the latest version of Android OS, go to the Settings first.
- Then, tap System.
- Click Software Update and then select System Updates.
- You will see an update status if Android 15 is available.
- In case Android 15 is unavailable, tap Check for update.
- Then, click on ‘Download’ and install it.
- This is all you have to do and you just wait for the phone to download Android 15.
- You must free up storage before updating to Android 15 if you receive a notification saying, “Not enough space available.”
Enrolling your smartphone in the Android Beta for Pixel program is another way to get Android 15. This allows you to try pre-release versions of Android and test new features. To download this new Andriod OS, you can do the following;
- Firstly, sign into your Google Account.
- Check eligible devices and look for your device.
- Select the beta program to enroll in.
- Accept the Android Beta Terms of Service.
- If you have enrolled, your device will receive consistent over-the-air (OTA) updates until you enroll.
- You can use the Android Flash Tool or get the Android 15 image from Pixel downloads pages if you want to flash your device.
Before downloading Android 15 to your device, configure the Android Emulator to run the latest version of Android OS. Configuring is a great way to explore new features and APIs and test Android 15 behavior changes. Setting the emulator is fast and convenient which lets the users emulate various screen sizes and device characteristics. Depending on the type of testing you need to do, you can set a variety of devices, either phone, tablet, or large screen device.
Conclusion
Android 15 is the latest version of Android OS that has introduced new features. Updating to Android 15 is not mandatory but is very much recommended to keep the data safe and prevent theft. You can easily update to Android 15 which is supported on most Pixel devices. New features on Android 15 include theft protection, private space, app pairing, app detection, partial screen recording, wallpaper editor, pinnable taskbar, satellite connectivity, multitasking, parental control, low-light boost, in-app camera control, and more. This new update more security to help detect and recover a stolen device by introducing offline device lock, failed authentication lock, remote lock, factory reset protection, and theft detection lock.
Another main feature of this update is that users can create a separate space for sensitive apps with additional authentication. This allows you to lock and hide apps from the app list, notifications, and settings. With this new update, users can now easily pin or unpin the taskbar on a larger screen to keep their favorite apps within reach and the larger displays make it easier to multitask and manage workloads with two apps running simultaneously. Also, it is possible to send and receive messages without cell service with the help of the ‘Satelite connectivity’ feature. The camera feature is another feature that stole the show. The camera’s performance in low light has improved and users users can have more controls for cameras within apps.
Android 15 does not bring any major changes except for some new features which are to help protect the user’s personal information from theft and fraud. Downloading Android 15 is easy, as all you have to do is go to Settings, tap System, click Software Update, and then select System Updates. There, you will be able to see an update status if Android 15 is available. If not, tap Check for an update and download it. Wait for the phone to download Android 15 but ensure you back up your phone with the previous version especially if you ever wish to downgrade from Android 15 to Android 14.
