With developer previews of Android 15 already out and a beta version releasing just days ago, we have a good idea of what the next version of Google’s mobile operating system will offer. This includes some cool new features that will let you use your smartphone in more ways, deter thieves, and protect your privacy.
First up, the Bluetooth popup dialog is getting some enhancements. In Android 15, users will be able to quickly cancel or approve certain Bluetooth settings and options with a tap of the button, as well as see more info about the device’s connection status. This will be especially useful for users who frequently connect to a wide range of devices and don’t always remember what each one is for.
Users can also expect to have more control over screen sharing on select devices. Android 15 will support a feature called partial screen sharing, which allows you to share or record just an app window, rather than the whole screen. This is a great option for those who need to share their screens to help with troubleshooting, giving tutorials, or other reasons.
During screen recordings, users will be able to see a notification that indicates that the app is being recorded. This is a way to give users more visibility and control over their data privacy when it comes to apps that handle sensitive information, such as a bank’s app for managing user accounts.
A new feature called Notification Cooldown aims to reduce notification overload and interruptions by preventing apps from bombarding you with notifications in rapid succession. It works by detecting when your phone receives multiple notifications from a single app in quick succession and then imposing a notification cooldown period, which limits how many notifications you can receive from that same app.
Another cool feature that should be helpful for users is the ability to set a rich vibration for notifications by channel. This will come in handy when you want to quickly identify a specific notification from among the noise.
Other cool features coming with Android 15 include a new option to hide the home screen grid, allowing you to only see icons or a grid of folders, and adding a button in the top right corner of the screen that will open the Quick Settings panel for easy access to your favorite apps. In addition, the update will add a status page that shows how much space each app is taking up, which is especially important when you’re trying to make room for more apps on your phone.
Finally, an interesting security feature called Theft Detection Lock will help deter thieves by using AI to recognize your location and automatically lock the device if it’s snatched at high speed. It will also prevent the thief from resetting your device with your Google account credentials, which is often a tactic used by thieves to bypass security measures like Two-Factor Authentication. You’ll also be able to disable WEP connections in Settings, which is another protection against the infamous “stingray” hacks that can use your Wi-Fi password to spy on your smartphone.