Android 15 Features: Full List of New Changes, Improvements, and Updates (2025 Guide)

The latest Android 15, codenamed “Vanilla Ice Cream,” was officially released on October 15, 2024. It will start with Google Pixel devices and gradually roll out to other supported Android devices from manufacturers like Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi and Vivo. This update focuses on enhancing user privacy, security, productivity, and performance, with a range of new features and subtle improvements. Some of the highlighted Android 15 features include enhanced privacy features like Private Space, improved multitasking with App Pairs and a pinnable taskbar, and security enhancements with Theft Protection. Below is a detailed list of the key features and changes in Android 15.

Enhanced Privacy and Security Features

Security is one of the main focus areas of Android 15. Google has introduced several new features to protect users from theft and unauthorized access.

• Private Space: A secure, isolated environment for sensitive apps (e.g., banking, health) that requires PIN or biometric authentication. Apps are hidden from the app drawer, recent apps, notifications, and settings when locked, with support for a separate Google Account for data separation.

• Theft Protection Suite: Uses AI to auto-lock the device if snatched (Theft Detection Lock), blocks brute-force attempts (Failed Authentication Lock), enables remote locking via phone number (Remote Lock), secures offline devices (Offline Device Lock), and requires authentication for factory resets (Factory Reset Protection).

• Sensitive Notifications: Hides one-time passwords (OTPs) and two-factor authentication codes in notifications, marking them as “sensitive” to prevent interception by malicious apps or remote viewers.
• Restricted Settings for Sideloaded Apps: Limits sensitive permissions (e.g., SMS, accessibility) for apps installed outside Google Play, reducing malware risks.
• Safer Intents: Enforces stricter intent-matching rules to prevent malicious apps from triggering unauthorized actions.
• FileIntegrityManager API: Allows developers to secure app files with cryptographic signatures, ensuring safe updates and data integrity.
• Cellular Security Options: Adds a “Cellular” settings section to enforce encrypted connections and alert users about insecure networks, protecting against fake cell towers.

Productivity and Usability Improvements

Android 15 isn’t just about security — it also adds several tools that make daily use smoother and more efficient.

• App Archiving: Enables users to archive unused apps to free up storage without losing data, keeping them in the launcher for easy restoration across all app stores.
• Partial Screen Sharing: Allows sharing or recording a single app, hiding notifications and sensitive data from remote viewers.
• Predictive Back Gesture: Previews navigation destinations (e.g., website, homescreen) when swiping back, reducing accidental exits.
• Redesigned Volume Panel: Features thicker, horizontal sliders for media, calls, and alarms, with quick access to audio sources and Bluetooth devices.
• Default Wallet App: Lets users set a preferred wallet app (e.g., Google Wallet) for NFC payments, with a Quick Settings tile for switching.
• Edge-to-Edge Apps: Forces apps to use the full screen, avoiding obstruction by the status bar or navigation pill.
• Notification Cooldown: Lowers the volume of repetitive notifications, customizable for conversations or all apps.
• App Pairing for Multitasking: Saves app pairs as a homescreen icon on foldables and tablets for split-screen mode, ideal for drag-and-drop tasks.

• Persistent Taskbar: Offers a pinnable taskbar on large-screen devices like the Pixel Fold, toggled via long-press for quick app switching.
• Home Controls Screensaver: Displays smart home controls on the Pixel Tablet’s lock screen while charging, mimicking a Nest Hub.

Connectivity Enhancements

Connectivity is a priority in Android 15. Google has introduced features to ensure seamless wireless and satellite communication.

• Bluetooth Improvements: Adds a Quick Settings popup for device selection and pairing, with an auto turn-on feature that reactivates Bluetooth the next day for Find My Device (disableable).

• Satellite Connectivity: Supports SMS, MMS, and RCS messaging via satellite, with UI indicators for satellite connections, expanding beyond emergency SOS.
• Improved NFC: Enhances NFC transactions with APIs that allow devices to listen to readers without responding, enabling one-tap payments.
• Allow WEP Networks: Includes a toggle to connect to insecure WEP networks for legacy systems, disabled by default with a security warning.

Camera and Media Improvements

Multimedia is a focus of Android 15. Google has enhanced camera and audio capabilities for richer experiences.

• In-App Camera Controls: Offers developers low-light boost for better dim-light shots and HDR headroom control for balanced SDR/HDR visuals.
• High-Quality Webcam Mode: Supports 1080p video when using the device as a webcam, though it may cause overheating.
• Audio Magic Eraser Upgrade: Allows Pixel 8+ users to adjust specific background sounds in Google Photos videos for precise audio editing.
• Loudness Control: Uses an API (CTA-2075 standard) to manage audio loudness for consistent playback.
• Efficient AV1 Decoding: Integrates the dav1d AV1 decoder for improved video playback on devices without hardware AV1 support.

Accessibility and Visual Improvements

Accessibility is a core focus of Android 15. Google has introduced features to make devices more inclusive for diverse users.

• Color Contrast Settings: Allows users to adjust contrast for text, buttons, and icons to improve visibility for low-vision users.
• TalkBack with Gemini AI: Integrates AI into TalkBack for enhanced image descriptions and screen reading for visually impaired users.
• Text and Font Enhancements: Enables elegant text height by default, preserves same-line text, supports complex letter shapes, and adjusts line height by locale for better readability.
• Haptic Feedback: Adds toggles for systemwide keyboard vibrations and haptic cues when adjusting brightness via Quick Settings.

Developer-Focused Changes

Developer empowerment is a priority in Android 15. Google has provided tools to build secure and innovative apps.

• OpenJDK 17 Updates: Aligns core libraries with OpenJDK 17 LTS, improving string formatting, language handling, and random number generation.
• PDF Improvements: Enhances the PdfRenderer API to support password-protected PDFs, annotations, form editing, searching, and text selection.
• Health Connect Expansion: Adds new fitness and nutrition data types for better health app integration.
• Credential Manager Integration: Supports single-tap sign-ups and sign-ins with biometrics or passkeys, plus autofill suggestions.
• Privacy Sandbox: Updates to extension level 10, reducing user data sharing for privacy-focused ads.
• Do Not Disturb (DND) Restrictions: Prevents apps from modifying global DND settings, preserving user control.
• Virtual MIDI 2.0 Devices: Extends support for music apps to act as virtual MIDI devices.
• WebSQL Deprecation: Phases out WebSQL in WebView, encouraging modern alternatives.

Android Support Devices and Rollout

Android 15 is available on Google Pixel devices (Pixel 6 and newer, including the Pixel Fold and Tablet). Manufacturers like Samsung, Honor, Nothing, OnePlus, Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi will deploy the update with custom skins, such as One UI 7, in the coming months. Users can check for updates via Settings > System > Software updates.

Android 15 Release Timeline

• Developer Preview 1: February 16, 2024,
• Beta Releases: April to July 2024​
• Final Release: October 15, 2024 ​

Overall, Security is one of the main focus areas. Android 15 introduces robust tools like Private Space and Theft Protection to safeguard users. For more details, visit Google’s Android 15 page or check manufacturer update schedules.