Top Features of Android 15
Android has always been about flexibility, customization, and users at its core, but this time with Android 15, Google has just raised the stakes. The newest release of the most-used mobile operating system in the world is replete with an array of new features aimed at improving user experience, and security, and extending device life. From personalized ways you pay to enhance battery management and innovative privacy tools, Android 15 has a little something for everyone-from the casual user to the most tech-obsessed. Now, let's get into the nitty-gritty details of some of the coolest features in Android 15 and explore precisely how they will change the way you use your smartphone.
1. Set a Third-Party App as Your Default Wallet App
Customization has always been a big part of Android, and with Android 15, it's taken to the next extent: letting users set a third-party app as the default wallet app for tap-to-pay transactions. While Google Wallet was set as the default option for contactless payments in previous versions of the operating system, Android 15 lets you change that to whatever you prefer. Suppose there is a tap-to-pay facility in your bank's app, then you could set it as the default wallet app. That will automatically display in the quick settings menu, for easy reach. Just follow Settings > Apps > Default apps > Wallet app and select it. This feature adds convenience and, at the same time, puts the user in full control of their payment preferences.
2. Cap Charging at 80% for Battery Health
With phones having gotten tougher and longer-lasting, battery health has become a feature of prime importance for most users, and Android 15 develops that very feature of being allowed to restrict charging to 80% maximum. While the existing Adaptive Charging does some damage control in terms of throttling the charging between 80% and 100%, this new option takes it a notch further by completely stopping charging at 80%. This is more so handy in terms of the battery health of your gadget, given that a fully-charged battery is the one that experiences more wear and tear. To enable it, go to Settings, then to Battery, then Charging Optimizations, and turn on Limit to 80%. This is such an easy, effective tool that will keep your device at its best for years to come.
3. Temporarily Archive Apps You Don’t Use
Storage management is the most common pain point for any smartphone user as apps and media files have grown in size over time. Android 15 introduces a game-changing feature: app archiving. With this, it will allow you to recover storage without having to delete an app forever and without losing any data from it. When you archive an app, it disappears from your device, but the app's data is preserved. That means you can install it again any time later and just continue from where you stopped without having to create an account or go through other settings. To archive an app, open Settings, then head to Apps, View all apps, select the app you want to archive, and tap Archive. When you're ready to restore it, simply tap Restore. Especially useful for users who often have to juggle storage space but do not want to lose access to favorite applications.
4. Save Split-Screen Apps for Easier Access
One of the headline features for Android is always going to be its multitasking, and with Android 15, that reaches new heights through saving app pairs in split screen. You still have to always launch apps in a split-screen manner every single time, even when you continually use the same, until Android 15 finally allows users to save favorite pairs of apps that can easily be accessed using just a single tap. Open a split-screen set between two applications. Tap into that middle point once more, and at the pop-up, press the Save app pair option to create shortcuts that will put different combinations right on your Home Page. Take back control for being productive if using work apps besides personal.
5. Hide Apps in a Secure Private Space
For every smartphone user, privacy matters the most, and Android 15 brings a strong new feature called Private space. It lets you hide some of the most sensitive apps and data from the prying eyes of people by which they remain inaccessible even if sharing your device with others. The apps you place in Private space will not be shown in Launcher, Notifications, or everywhere on your device. Android 15 also gives the ability to create a separate Google account only for Private space, so photos, files, and other data will not pop up in your main account. To enable Private space, open Settings > Security & privacy > Private space, then follow the in-app prompts. You can even hide the Private space from the launcher for added security. This feature helps users who maintain privacy and don't want anybody to know certain apps and their data.
6. Record Just One App at a Time
While screen recording is a very useful feature when capturing tutorials, gameplay, or any other useful information, this feature often tends to leak data you would never want to compromise. Android 15 introduces an option to allow recording of only one app at a time. Even if you switch to some other app in the middle, it will keep recording the same selected app. To activate this feature, click the Screen record tile in the Quick Settings menu, then select the Record One app. You will be presented with a list of apps on your device from which you can select which to record. That way, your recordings are not cluttered and free from any unwanted distractions or sensitive information.
7. Protect Your Device from Thieves
But the big fear with smartphones is theft, so Android 15 has been beefed up with some heavyweight new security. Even if your phone is stolen, the thief won't be able to wipe the device and set up a new account without your original lock screen passcode or Google account credentials. Plus, sensors and AI are employed in Android 15 to detect if your device is being snatched. The phone will lock immediately if it detects a theft and will require a passcode to unlock it. Though this feature is available on Android 10 onwards, now in Android 15, it's more integrated and accessible. To enable, go to Settings > Security & privacy and toggle the relevant options. Additional security layers add advanced features of security for keeping your device safe, come what may.
Additional Features
- Task Bar Options
- Better Low-Light Camera
- Loudness Control
- Audio Sharing
- Offline Maps on Wear OS
- Earthquake Alert System
- More Satellite Connectivity
- Better PDF Handling
- More Health Connect Data
Conclusion
Android 15 is thus an embodiment of Google's way of innovating, empowering the user, and securing. The update has it all: customizable wallet apps and optimized battery health to app archiving and privacy power tools-everything that the multitasking user, enthusiastic privacy user, or just that one who aims at prolonging their device could wish for. With an update like this, Android is continuously adapting to the increasingly central role these little smartphones play in our lives. So, buckle up for an upgraded smartphone experience as Android 15 is here to deliver.