Technology

Android 15 release date, new features and compatible devices

Published

3 months ago

April 13, 2024

Google releases a new major version of Android every year, and 2024 will be no different.

The Android 15 Beta Program confirms its existence, and an official launch is expected at Google I/O 2024, which now has a confirmed date.

What should you expect in terms of features and compatibility with existing phones? And when will the new software arrive on your device? Here’s everything you need to know about Android 15 at this stage.

When will Android 15 be released?

Google hasn’t confirmed when Android 15 will arrive, but thanks to the beta program we know it’s coming. As you can see with the last few generations, the rollout usually starts in the second half of each year.

Android 14 – October 2023
Android 13 – August 2022
Android 12 – October 2021
Android 11 – September 2020
Android 10 – September 2019

If we follow this pattern, we expect the full release version of Android 15 to come around September or October 2024. It could debut on the upcoming Pixel 9 range, which may include three devices this year.

Our first in-depth look at Android 15 will likely take place at Google’s I/O developer conference, which takes place on May 14. The keynote starts at 10am PDT, which is 6pm in the UK.

Of course, even when Android 15 officially launches, it will take a while before it arrives on all compatible phones. The latest Pixel devices will be first in line, but a full rollout will likely take several months.

Before then, if you have a recent Google Pixel phone, you can try out Android 15 by downloading the public beta. On the device you want to use, go to the beta page, click ‘Become a Tester’ and follow the on-screen instructions.

Which devices will get Android 15?

If you’re reading this section, you’re probably wondering if your current Android smartphone will get Android 15.

So far, the only confirmed devices are recent Pixel handsets eligible for the public beta:

Pixel 5a
Pixel6
Pixel 6 Pro
Pixel6a
Pixel 7
Pixel 7 Pro
Pixel 7a
Pixel tablet
Pixel fold
Pixel8
Pixel 8 Pro

All Pixel 9 phones released later this year are likely to run Android 15 out of the box.

Plenty of other devices are eligible, although this all depends on how long the manufacturer has said it will provide OS (operating system) updates. Many Samsung, OnePlus and Xiaomi phones offer four years, while Honor usually gets three and Asus only two.

If you’re not sure, there’s a handy Android 15 Update Tracker that keeps an eye on many of the most popular handsets.

But not all models are included, so it’s worth reading the full Tech Advisor review of your phone to see how long it will be supported.

What new features will we see in Android 15?

Announcing the first public beta of Android 15, Google confirmed that a number of developer-specific features will focus on usability and security.

Previous developer-focused betas also revealed support for satellite connectivity (likely for messaging) and better interaction with PDFs from third-party apps.

As important as they are, these aren’t the exciting features consumers want to try out. Here’s what else is reportedly being added.

Lock screen widgets have been missing from Android since 2015, when they were removed with the introduction of Lollipop (version 5). But according to Android expert Mishaal Rahman, they could be about to make a return.

In an article for Android Authority, Rahman says he was able to enable a new “common” space in a beta version of Android 14, but the feature never made it into the final version. Just like the current home screen, you can pin various widgets to the screen so you can see them as soon as you wake up the device.

Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority

As you can see above, the feature seems best suited to Android tablets. In fact, Rahman thinks this will be limited to devices with larger screens, unlike smartphones.

App pairs

Many Android phone makers let you save pairs of apps that automatically launch in split-screen mode, but this isn’t yet built into the core software on Pixel phones.

Since it was already available in a beta version of Android 14, this seems very likely for Android 15.

Private space

Android Police recently reported that it had found a work-in-progress feature in the Android 14 beta, which will likely be ready in time for Android 15. This is Private Space, which is very similar to Samsung’s Secure Folder feature which has already existed for several years.

Private Space allows you to create a profile on your Android phone that separates data from the normal operating space. Essentially, it’s a secure profile that allows you to prevent information and apps from being accessible or even visible to anyone using your phone.

Private Space appears to offer the ability to use entirely different security credentials on your phone, meaning you should be able to hand your device over to your child or friend without them subsequently being able to open apps or files that contain private or sensitive information.

Easier NFC updates

Mishaal Rahman posts on X (formerly Twitter) that Google is preparing to separate NFC updates from full Android system updates:

Essentially, this means that NFC updates will be handled via the Google Play Store once Android 15 launches. This would make it easier to use with accessories such as NFC trackers, with the ability to quickly release NFC updates without a full system update.

If it arrives in Android 15, it could indicate that Google is working on a tracker that can rival the Apple AirTag and Samsung SmartTag.

Find your phone even if it is turned off

At the I/O developers conference in May 2023, Google announced its Find My Device network, an alternative to Apple’s Find My network for lost Android devices.

As Android Police reports, this has been postponed due to Google’s work with Apple to finalize the ‘unwanted tracker alert’ specification, which would allow Android users to be notified if an unknown Apple AirTag is traveling with them and vice versa . Apple wants to wait until this becomes an ‘internet standard’, which could take a long time.

Assuming Find My Device is available by the time Android 15 launches, finding a lost Android device will become much easier. Typically, the device in question needs to be turned on, but a separate Android Police article suggests this won’t be the case on the upcoming Pixel 9 phones, which will also be discoverable when turned off.

Author Mishaal Rahman thinks it will be added to the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro with the Android 15 update, but may not come to other existing Pixel devices, including the Pixel Fold.

It doesn’t look like non-Pixel devices will get the feature for now, but they will be able to access the Find my Device network once it’s available.

New voice activations for third-party apps

Google may add support for third-party apps to take advantage of voice activation. Currently, you can only activate your Android phone via the Google Assistant and the ‘Ok Google’ command.

But according to a report by Android Authority’s Mishaal Rahman, Google could make this permission available to all third-party apps. It appears that Bard, Google’s answer to ChatGPT and Bing Chat, may soon replace all or part of Google Assistant, so this move would make sense.

Elsewhere, Rahman believes (via Android Authority) that a new iPhone-like battery status settings page will be introduced. He also found (via Android Police) a new pop-up Bluetooth dialog in the Quick Settings menu in a recent beta.

Enhanced desktop mode

Android has had a desktop mode since 2019, but it’s aimed at developers so it’s not designed to replace anyone’s laptop or desktop PC. However, it could become a viable option for that in Android 15.

Once again, Android Authority’s Mishaal Rahman is the source here. He says there will be “significant changes to desktop mode, with an emphasis on better windowing capabilities.”

A lot of this seems to be aimed at better management of windows, bringing it closer to Samsung’s DeX mode in terms of functionality.

That’s all we’ve found so far, but as more details come to light, we’ll update this article. In the meantime, if you don’t think your phone will make the cut for Android 15 or you just fancy a new device with the updated software, check out our guide to the best Android phones.