5 new Android 15 features that changed how I use my phone

It seems as though phone users are clamoring for a new operating system update any time the previous one rolls out. Using your phone is different for each person, as we all use it in completely unique ways. Some people care about all the new features and probably download as many apps as they can to get the most out of their phones. Others simply use them to call, text, and email people — just the bare-bones basics of communication. But when manufacturers release new operating systems, the features tend to affect even the most basic phone user.

When Android 15 was announced earlier this year, it became a huge talking point — Android had gone well over a year without a new operating system since Android 14. As per usual, Android is rolling out the official Android 15 operating system to Pixel phones first, as the beta has been available for weeks now. Android 15 has finally been rolled out to Pixel users as of this week, while other Android phone users shouldn’t have to wait much longer to get it.

Those who tested out the beta have highlighted a few different features that Android has put a large emphasis on this time around. Some of the features are ones that fans have been asking about for a long time, while others are new, exciting, and will make Android users’ lives significantly easier. For those that don’t have a Pixel phone, they can still test the betas until Android 15 is available on their own device.

Here is a list of phones and tablets that have access to the Android 15 betas:

• Honor: Magic 6 Pro, Magic V2
• OnePlus: 12, Open
• OPPO: Find X7
• Vivo: X100
• iQOO: 12
• Nothing: Phone 2a
• Realme: 12 Pro+5G
• Lenovo: Tab Extreme
• Sharp: Aquos sense8
• Tecno: Camon 30 Pro 5G

Now, I’ll break down the most interesting features that will come with the new Android 15.

1 Private Space to keep your info hidden

A spot for you to keep your most sensitive information

Private Space is a way for you to store away secret or sensitive things in your phone in case someone else has it or is using it for something else. Private Space uses an additional pin for you to unlock the section of your phone where you can store apps, notes, files, and more that you want to keep hidden.

When Private Space is locked, your apps won’t even show up in the Recents tab and no notifications for the respective apps will appear on your screen. They also won’t show up in settings, so you’ll have to unlock Private Spaces to get to the settings for those apps.

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Once you put something in Private Spaces, you can remove it easily, so it isn’t stuck there forever. But keeping it in Private Spaces will let you store your most important info away from prying eyes. It’s similar to Samsung phones’ Secure Folder, and Android has made their own concerted effort to focus on privacy — this is just one of the many steps the new operating system takes.

2 TalkBack mixed with Gemini

This is particularly helpful for those with poor vision

Google / Pocket-lint

TalkBack is a feature that premiered all the way back in 2013. It reads out loud as you swipe across apps, messages, and whatever else is on your screen. It was invented for those that have poor vision or experience blindness, as it will read aloud braille, text, and more. The update TalkBack received in Android 15 is becoming equipped with Google Gemini to utilize AI in helping the person using the phone understand what’s on the screen even better than before.

TalkBack is a screen reader, and Gemini Nano improves the phone’s ability to read out loud what the images are on the screen. The AI will analyze what the images are and be able to give greater descriptions of what they are. You’ll get descriptions of images on websites you’re scrolling through, and part of the new feature is Gemini now being able to give you better descriptions of the pictures in your own camera roll.

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3 Theft Detection Lock to deter thieves

Google doesn’t want thieves getting your phone

Google / Pocket-lint

If you’re trying to keep your apps safe, you can use Private Spaces, but Google is doing much more than that for your theft prevention. Theft Detection Lock is also using Gemini AI to keep your device safe. Gemini can detect if a thief runs up to you and steals your phone and runs away with it. If a steal with speed is detected, Gemini will automatically lock your phone. Remote lock options will be offered now for all Android phones running Android 10 and up.

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The auto lock will also kick in if your phone has too many failed login attempts registered or it is off the grid for a certain period of time. Not only will Theft Detection Lock lock your phone, but it will prevent the thief from factory resetting your phone to gain access to it. They won’t be able to do that without knowing your password or the credentials for your Google account.

4 Satellite connectivity expansion

Something handy both in everyday and emergency situations

In Android 14, Android made it possible to send emergency SOS texts via satellite on a Pixel 9 phone. Satellite network connectivity has been expanded for Android 15, so you are also able to send SMS, MMS, and RCS messages when you need to. It doesn’t have to be an emergency for you to be able to send these messages via satellite, but while you might still want to use this for emergency texts, it won’t just be available on the Pixel 9 phone anymore.

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You’ll also know when you’re connected to a satellite, thanks to standardization of pop-ups and noting it in the interface itself when you’re on the home screen or in other apps. The actual system will be sending you a push notification to let you know that you’re on satellite connectivity. At the top, you’ll see the word ‘Satellite’ when you’re connected.

5 Auto-archive apps that you don’t use

Not completely deleting them — just in case you want to use them again soon

Let’s say that you haven’t used a certain app in quite a while, but there’s a slight chance you’ll start using it again eventually. You don’t have to delete it and then download it again when that time comes — with app archiving, Android will ask you if you want to delete the app, but you can also opt to archive the app. So, you can offload the app while saving the key data for it.

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Auto archiving was announced last year — but now, Android has built it in as a feature. It’s an easy way to save memory and not have to completely get rid of apps that you may want to use again. If you do want to delete the apps, you can still do so, even if they are archived. You can just go into the settings and get rid of the app.