Google announced it's releasing Android 15 today.
Don't miss: Google Announces 5 New Android Features, Including Earthquake Warnings and Improved Circle to Search
Android 15 will be available on supported Pixel devices, like the Pixel 8 and Pixel 9. It will also be available to download on select devices from Samsung, Lenovo, Motorola, Nothing, OnePlus and more in the coming months.
Android 15 doesn't represent a big change from Android 14, but it does bring several new useful features, including partial screen recording, satellite connectivity to send and receive messages without cell service, predictive back gestures, more in-app camera controls, low-light boost and sensitive notifications for 2FA codes.
If you want to download Android 15 on your device, here's what you need to know.
New features on Android 15
The focus for Android 15 is on security features that help protect your personal information, like with health and finance, from theft and fraud. There are also improvements for large-screen devices, like foldable and tablets, to get more done. And there are updates for apps like camera, messaging and passkeys.
A few of these highlights include:
- The updated Theft Detection Lock feature now uses AI. If your phone senses that your device has been stolen, like someone snatching it from your hand and then biking away, it will not automatically lock your device if it's unlocked.
- There are new authentication requirements for certain settings that thieves tend to target, like removing your SIM or turning off Find My Device. Android 15 will lock down your device if multiple failed attempts for apps and settings are sensed, making it harder for thieves to reset and sell stolen devices, this deterring thefts.
- Private space is a new locked area on your phone where you can hide any sensitive apps, like banking apps or dating apps. If an app is locked away inside a private space, and you hand your phone off to someone else, they won't be able to see the app in your app list, nor will they see any notifications or settings from the app, making it virtually invisible to everyone but you.
- On foldables and tablets running Android 15, you can pin and unpin your taskbar on the screen to customize your home screen layout and keep your favorite apps closer to you.
- You can also pair apps, so for example, you can choose Zoom and Gmail and have both applications open at once in split-screen, making it easier to multitask.
And in-app camera controls now work better in low-light, third-party apps have more camera control, messaging apps can use satellite connectivity to send text messages and you can log in with a single tap into apps that use passkeys.
Will my phone support Android 15?
Google always releases the latest Android OS to its own Pixel devices first. Here's the full list of supported devices:
- Pixel 6
- Pixel 6 Pro
- Pixel 6a
- Pixel 7
- Pixel 7 Pro
- Pixel 7a
- Pixel 8
- Pixel 8 Pro
- Pixel 8a
- Pixel Fold
- Pixel Tablet
- Pixel 9
- Pixel 9 Pro
- Pixel 9 Pro XL
As mentioned above, versions of Android 15 will be released to select devices from other companies, including Samsung, Honor, iQOO, Lenovo, Motorola, Nothing, OnePlus, Oppo, Realme, Sharp, Sony, Tecno, Vivo and Xiaomi.
The Pixel 8 Pro supports Android 15.
Google/CNETBefore you download Android 15...
Like with any new major release, it's best that you back up your phone with the previous version in case you ever want to downgrade from Android 15 to Android 14. If you have automatic backups, you should have a pretty recent backup, but you can also do it manually. In your Settings, go to System > Backup and hit Back up now. You can also back up your device to your computer.
How to download Android 15 to your Pixel device
On your supported Android device, go to Settings > System > Software updates > System Updates. If Android 15 is available on your device, you'll see an update status appear. If not, tap the Check for update button on the bottom right. Next, tap Download and install and wait for your phone to download Android 15. Once your phone is finished, it will restart and boot back up. You should see Android 15 running on your device.
Note: If you see a "not enough space available" notification, you must free up storage before you can update to Android 14, or use your computer to update.