The update technically launched in September, but now it’s here for Google’s devices.
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Android 15 is now rolling out to Pixel devices, bringing them new privacy features, security tools, and improvements for foldables and tablets. The operating system first launched last month through the Android Open Source Project, but at the time, it wasn’t yet available on Pixel phones and tablets — or other major Android devices. Google announced today that it’s finally coming to Pixels alongside a series of Pixel feature drops.
One major new feature in Android 15 is the ability to make a “private space” for apps you might want to keep hidden from other people who get ahold of your phone. (Google gives the examples of social, dating, or banking apps.) Apps you put in the private space won’t show up in your recent apps, notifications, or settings, according to Google. To access the space, you’ll have to provide additional authentication, and you can even “hide the existence of private space from view on your phone,” Google says.
On foldables and tablets, Android 15 will let users pin and unpin the taskbar so they can choose to have somewhat easier access to their apps. And if you have certain apps that you frequently use side by side, you can set up an app pairing and access that pairing from one icon.
Many devices running Android — not just Android 15 — will also be getting Theft Detection Lock, which lets your phone automatically lock itself if it detects (with the help of AI) that it has been stolen. Google is also adding a feature called Remote Lock that lets you lock your phone using another Android phone, your phone number, and a “simple security check.” The company says that “most” devices on Android 10 and newer will get these features, and some people already have them.
If you want to learn more about what’s included in Android 15, we have a post with a full rundown of the biggest features.
Google is also starting to roll out a new Pixel feature drop for October that includes Night Sight for Instagram for taking better low-light photos and more controls for Audio Magic Eraser. In “the next few weeks,” Google is also adding a feature that lets you move media from a Pixel Tablet to a Pixel phone by holding the devices next to each other.
