Headline features at a glance
- Private Space to hide sensitive apps behind a second lock, separate from your main profile.
- Theft protection suite with Theft Detection Lock, Remote Lock, and tougher factory-reset rules to keep thieves out. Many parts also reach older Android versions.
- Single tap passkeys via Credential Manager, merging account pick and biometric into one step.
- Satellite messaging support at the OS level, subject to device hardware and carrier rollout.
- Partial screen sharing to share only one app, not your whole screen or notifications.
- Camera/media upgrades: Low Light Boost, in-app camera controls, HDR headroom, and consistent loudness based on CTA-2075.
- Ultra HDR + ISO 21496-1 gain maps for HDR photos that display better across Android and iOS.
- Performance tweaks: Dynamic Performance Framework updates; wider AV1 software decode support through dav1d.
- Large screen perks: app pairing, pinned taskbar, and a Home Controls screensaver.
- Wallet role + NFC reliability work to make tap-to-pay smoother and better integrated with your preferred wallet.
Comparison Android 15 vs Android 14
| Area | Android 14 | Android 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Sensitive apps | No Private Space | Private Space with separate lock, hidden notifications |
| Anti-theft | Find My Device, lock options | Theft Detection Lock, Remote Lock, tougher reset protections |
| Sharing | Full screen share common | Partial screen share for one app only |
| Sign-in | Passkeys supported | Single-tap passkeys with Credential Manager improvements |
| Camera/Media | Solid baseline | Low Light Boost, in-app controls, HDR headroom, CTA-2075 loudness control |
| HDR photos | Ultra HDR | Ultra HDR + ISO 21496-1 gain maps for better cross-platform sharing |
Privacy and security: Private Space and theft protection
Private Space is your second, locked area on the same phone. Put banking, health, or work apps here; when the space is locked, app icons, notifications, and recent-apps entries are hidden. To enable it: Settings → Security & privacy → Private Space, then add a separate PIN or biometric. You can even hide the space when locked so no one sees it exists.
Google’s theft protection comes in layers. Theft Detection Lock can automatically lock your phone if it detects a grab-and-run motion. Remote Lock lets you quickly lock the device with just your phone number. There are also tougher factory reset protections and lockouts after failed authentication attempts. Device support varies by model, and some features reach back to older Android versions, which is good news for non-flagship owners.
Quick answer: Turn on Theft Detection Lock in Settings → Google → All services → Theft protection. If your phone supports it, the screen will auto-lock during a suspected snatch, buying you time to protect data.
Single-tap passkeys on Android 15
Passwords are easy to phish. Passkeys use public-key cryptography and your phone’s biometric, so you tap once and you’re in. On Android 15, Credential Manager merges the “pick account” and “face/fingerprint” steps into a single-tap flow. As more apps adopt it, sign-in gets both faster and safer.
A tip for teams: make passkeys the default sign-in option in your apps, keep the copy simple, and show the passkey option at account creation and recovery for better adoption.
Satellite messaging support
Android 15 adds platform-level satellite messaging support and UI hooks. That doesn’t mean every phone can do it today. You still need compatible modem hardware and a carrier that actually offers the service. In the US, for example, Verizon announced satellite texting on select Android phones in March 2025, and other carriers are testing similar services. Expect staggered rollouts by region.
Quick answer: Android 15 enables the capability. Whether you can use it depends on your phone’s hardware and your carrier’s plan. Check both before you rely on it.
Better sharing and recording: partial screen sharing
If you present or troubleshoot over video calls, this is gold. Partial screen sharing lets you share a single app window. No status bar, no stray notifications, no lock screen. Apps using the MediaProjection API support it automatically, and developers can tune the behavior.
Camera and media upgrades you’ll notice
Low light photos get a lift with Low Light Boost. Camera apps can expose more in-app controls for flash strength and zoom behavior, and media apps can set HDR headroom so bright video doesn’t blow out surrounding UI. For audio, Android 15 implements CTA-2075 loudness control, which aims to reduce those annoying “one app is too loud, the next is too quiet” moments.
Ultra HDR that plays nicer with iPhone
Android’s Ultra HDR looks great on HDR displays but hasn’t always been cross-platform friendly. With ISO 21496-1 gain maps, Android 15 encodes HDR metadata in a way that iOS and other platforms understand better. End result: HDR photos that travel well between ecosystems.
Performance and battery
Under the hood, Android 15 updates the Android Dynamic Performance Framework, giving games and heavy apps better hooks into power and thermals. There’s also broader AV1 software decoding using the dav1d decoder, which helps more devices play efficient AV1 video without stutter.
Large-screen and foldable perks
If you use a tablet or a foldable, multitasking improves. You can pin the taskbar and pair apps side by side for quick relaunches. There’s even a Home Controls screensaver that turns your device into a smart home panel when idle.
NFC and payments: Wallet role, smoother taps
Android 15 introduces a Wallet role so the system knows your preferred wallet app, and it includes work to make NFC tap-to-pay more reliable. In India, that pairs nicely with UPI Tap & Pay on supported phones, but the OS alone doesn’t guarantee bank-level support. Your wallet app and bank still govern eligibility.
Quick Answer
Q: What are the best new Android 15 features?
A: Private Space for sensitive apps, theft protection with auto-lock, partial screen sharing, single-tap passkeys, satellite messaging support, camera upgrades like Low Light Boost, and consistent audio loudness. These land alongside large-screen multitasking and smoother NFC payments.
Q: When did Android 15 launch?
A: Android 15 began rolling out to Pixel phones on October 15, 2024. Other brands followed with staged releases through 2025.
Q: Does Android 15 support satellite messaging?
A: Yes, the OS adds platform support and UI. Actual use still depends on your phone’s hardware and your carrier offering the service in your region.
Q: How do I enable Private Space on Android 15?
A: Go to Settings → Security & privacy → Private Space. Set a separate lock, add apps, and choose to hide the space when locked.
Q: What is single-tap passkey sign-in?
A: Android 15’s Credential Manager merges account selection and biometric into one step so you sign in with one tap. It’s faster and phishing-resistant.
FAQ
- Is Android 15 available for my phone?
Rollouts start with Pixels, then major OEMs. Check your brand’s update page. - How does Theft Detection Lock work?
It uses motion and other signals to detect a grab-and-run, then locks the screen automatically. Enable it under Settings → Google → Theft protection. - Can I share only one app in a meeting?
Yes. Use partial screen sharing to share just a single app window. - Will passkeys replace passwords on Android?
That’s the direction. Android 15 improves the flow to a single tap, but adoption depends on each app or site. - Does Android 15 improve cameras?
Apps can tap Low Light Boost, in-app camera controls, and HDR headroom, so you should see better low-light shots and smoother video brightness transitions. - What’s new for audio?
Android 15 brings CTA-2075 loudness control to reduce sudden volume jumps between apps and content. - Will satellite messages work in India?
Support depends on hardware and carriers. Watch your operator’s announcements and your phone maker’s update notes. - Is tap-to-pay more reliable now?
Android 15 adds Wallet role and NFC reliability work, which should help. Your bank and wallet app still control availability.
Source: Andriod
