Android 15: The best new features in Google’s latest update

Google’s final version of Android 15 is out, arriving first on all Pixel 6, 7, 8 and 9 smartphones, as well as for the Pixel Tablet and the Pixel Fold.

Android 15 will also be coming to other Android smartphones in the near future, of course, although the upgrade timetables of various manufacturers vary greatly.

What’s new? Here are five of the most important new features arriving on Android 15:

Theft protection: Android can now tell when a phone has been snatched from its owner’s hand and someone runs away with it. Once it’s detected this, it automatically locks itself immediately.

If you lose your phone or it gets stolen, you can also use the so-called remote lock: By entering your own phone number and after a short security prompt, you can lock the smartphone from any browser using the “Find my device” page.

Private space: This is a virtual space where sensitive data and apps, such as for online banking or social media, are stored. They are not visible to anyone else, even if they have your phone.

This also applies to app notifications. The private area can only be opened with a separate PIN, which can also be linked to your fingerprint.

Low light boost: This new camera feature is designed to deliver better images in low light conditions. And it’s not just Google’s camera app that will benefit from the improvements; third-party camera apps will also have better access to camera controls, such as the flash.

Passkeys: Password-free login is about to get faster – and in just a single step. In apps that support Passkeys, you can log in directly with your fingerprint after opening the app – and no longer have to go through several screens to select the respective user account or make other settings.

Satellite connection: Compatible messaging apps (SMS/MMS/RCS) can now also send messages via satellite connections, in an emergency or when there is no mobile signal or wi-fi. However, this also requires a smartphone with the appropriate hardware on board. On Google, these are the Pixel 9 models, for example.

Will my phone get Android 15?

Android manufacturers, under pressure to match Apple’s promise of years of software updates, have been increasing the amoung of software generations that new phones receive. A few years ago, some Android phones received as little as one major software update, but nowadays flagship phones routinely come with a promise of three Android generations after launch.

If your phone was made in the past one or two years, there’s a strong chance the manufacturer is planning an update. The timelines vary drastically from company to company, but a search online for “Android 15” and your phone model may yield an answer on tech blogs.

How do I upgrade?

If you own a Pixel and it has not yet offered to upgrade to Android 15, you can also start this process manually. Navigate to System/Software updates in the settings, tap on “system update” and then on “Check for updates”. You should then see a system update is being prepared, followed by the screen “System update available”.

Tap on “Download and install” at the very bottom of the screen.
You will then be asked whether usage and diagnostic data may be sent to Google. You can disable this using a slider on the right-hand side of the screen. Then tap accept at the bottom of the screen. Your smartphone will then download and install Android 15 and prompt you to restart at the end.