All the Android 15 Features We Know About so Far
We expect to finally hear more about Android 15 when Google I/O arrives in May, but we already know something about what the new operating system will entail thanks to Google’s Android Developer Program, which allowed developers to access to Android. 15 on some devices in the last couple of months.
Chief among the changes coming in Android 15 is the inclusion of some new UI and UX improvements. Each of the options listed below were either highlighted by Google itself or showcased in the released Android 15 build.
New features in Android 15
Notification recovery time
Google will now let you control the number of notifications an app can send you. This should help reduce the number of spam notifications from games and other social apps, while also allowing you to still receive important notifications. Based on the settings shown in the screenshots, you have a few different options you can use here, including applying the cooldown to just your conversations or to all of your notifications.
Partial screen sharing
Android 15 will also let you select specific windows you want to record, giving you more privacy when it comes to recording something to show off. This feature was first enabled on Pixel devices with Android 14 QPR 2, but with Android 15 it will become a widespread Android feature.
Satellite connection
Google continues to lay the groundwork for better satellite connectivity, and Android 15 will give you more options. Apps will now be able to use APIs that can detect when your device is connected to a satellite, which will help your phone more easily determine which network you’re connected to.
Universal keyboard vibration switch.
You will now also be able to turn off all keyboard vibration using a universal option in Settings.
New camera controls
Google is changing the look of camera controls in Android 15. The look of the camera app changes slightly, and new extensions will provide more control over low-light improvements, as well as more precise control of flash intensity.
High quality webcam mode
Android 15 now comes with a higher quality mode for using your phone as a webcam. This feature was first available in Android 14, but it provided poor quality video quality. We hope this new setting should mitigate these quality issues.
Increased security for sensitive notifications
Many apps still rely on text messages to provide authentication codes. While this isn’t the most secure option, Google is at least trying to make them a little safer by blocking third-party apps from reading your incoming text notifications when they might contain sensitive information like one-time passwords (OTPs). ).
Better continuity on foldable devices
Android 15 will also bring more continuity features to foldable phones, allowing you to more easily reopen apps when closing the device.
Bluetooth tile with multiple accessories in quick settings
Using multiple Bluetooth accessories can be a frustrating experience on Android devices, as you often have to go into settings to use them. However, in Android 15, you’ll soon be able to access all your Bluetooth devices from the Quick Settings tile, making it easier to manage multiple accessories.
Simplified audio sharing with Auracast
Auracast is also getting an update to Android 15. You’ll now be able to share and connect to nearby Auracast-enabled devices without having to fully pair them.
Switchable taskbar for large screen Android devices
Google is also updating its persistent taskbar on some larger screen devices. The taskbar was first introduced in Android 12L, but it has been reduced in size in Android 13. You will now be able to make the taskbar permanent in Android 15 if you want it to be available all the time.
Updated cover support
Phones running Android 15 will also have improved cover support, allowing apps to more consistently push data to the covers of flip phones like the Z Flip.
Virtual MIDI 2.0 support.
Google is also adding support for MIDI 2.0 virtual devices in Android 15. This is a huge improvement over the original support for connecting MIDI 2.0 devices over USB that Google introduced in Android 13. This will now allow users to manage synth apps as virtual ones. MIDI 2.0 is the same as with a standard USB MIDI 2.0 device.
Health Connect Updates
Android 15 will also get some new Health Connect updates, although Google hasn’t yet specified what exactly will change or improve. All we know is that it will support new types of data on nutrition, fitness, and more.
Improved volume control
With Android 15, Google is officially introducing support for the CTA-2075 volume standard, which will help developers avoid volume inconsistencies. This should help reduce the amount of constant volume switching between different types of content, whether using speakers or headphones.
New productivity options
Google is updating the way Android exposes the Android Dynamic Performance Framework (ADPF), which developers rely on to create games and more demanding apps. This gives these applications more direct access to the device’s thermal and power systems. With updated ADPF features, Android 15 will introduce a new power efficiency mode, as well as GPU and CPU runtime reporting, and even the ability to adjust GPU and CPU frequencies to meet new workload demands. Google is also introducing new thermal headroom thresholds in Android 15 to help with possible thermal throttling.
Ability to archive applications in settings.
A new archiving option will be available in Android 15, giving the user more control over how you handle archives for different apps. Google currently only allows archiving through the Google Play Store. However, this new option will allow you to archive or unarchive apps directly from your phone’s settings.
Privacy changes
Google is also updating privacy features in Android 15, updating them to the latest version of Privacy Sandbox, as well as adding a new file integrity feature that will help keep your files running smoothly. Android 15 will now also detect when your screen is being recorded to reduce the number of malicious apps trying to take over your screens without your permission. You will now also have to verify your identity using biometrics or a password when changing the USB mode on your phone. This will help protect you from malicious computer commands.
Of course, as we get closer to Google I/O and the eventual release of Android 15 later this year, there will likely be more features that users didn’t notice in Android 15.