The first beta of the next major version of Android is launching a month before Google I/O 2024. Android 15 Beta 1 is rolling out to Pixel devices today.
Android 15 Beta 1 is the “initial beta-quality release” and the first this cycle to be available as over-the-air update for those enrolled in the Android Beta Program.
We’ll have lots more to share as we move through the release cycle; stay tuned for more news and announcements around Google I/O on Tuesday, May 14th.
In terms of user-facing changes, “apps targeting Android 15 are displayed edge-to-edge by default on Android 15 devices.” Applications will appear behind the system states and gesture bars.
The system bars are transparent or translucent and content will draw behind by default.
Google is making official the “OS level support for app archiving and unarchiving” that went live with DP2. This “removes the APK and any cached files, but persists user data.”
Archived apps are returned as displayable apps through the LauncherApps APIs; users will see a UI treatment to highlight that those apps are archived. If a user taps on an archived app, the responsible installer will get a request to unarchive it…
A new E2eeContactKeysManager “facilitates end-to-end encryption (E2EE) in your Android apps by providing an OS-level API for the storage of cryptographic public keys.”
The E2eeContactKeysManager is designed to integrate with the platform contacts app to give users a centralized way to manage and verify their contacts’ public keys.
In Android 15, TalkBack supports Braille displays that are using the HID standard over
both USB and secure Bluetooth, just like mice and keyboards.
Additionally:
- “…apps can now register a fingerprint on supported devices so they can be notified of polling loop activity, which allows for smooth operation with multiple NFC-aware applications.”
- “Android 15 brings additional changes to prevent malicious background apps from bringing other apps to the foreground, elevating their privileges, and abusing user interaction, aiming to protect users from malicious apps and give them more control over their devices.”
You can leave feedback with the Android Beta Feedback app on Pixel devices. Access it from the drawer or via Quick Settings to file bugs in the Google issue tracker. There’s also the Android Beta community on Reddit.
Android 15 Beta 1 (AP31.240322.018) with the April 2024 security patch is available for the Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel Tablet, Pixel Fold, Pixel 8, and Pixel 8 Pro, as well as the Android Emulator. Most people will be installing via the Android Beta Program, but you can also flash or sideload.
If you’re on the Android 14 Beta Program — currently QPR3 Beta 2.1 — or 15 Developer Preview 2, you will get the Android 15 Beta 1 OTA today.
Devices running Android 15 DP1 (build AP31.240119.016) or Android 14 QPR3 Beta 1 (build AP21.240119.009) are not able to sideload the images of the Android 15 Beta 1 build (build AP31.240322.018) due to a bug in the installed build. If you would like to sideload Android 15 Beta 1, first take the OTA update to Android 15 DP2 (build AP31.240223.016.A3) or Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2 (build AP21.240305.005).
If you need help, here’s our full guide on installing Android 15.
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Laura Adams is a tech enthusiast residing in the UK. Her articles cover the latest technological innovations, from AI to consumer gadgets, providing readers with a glimpse into the future of technology.
