After a long wait, slightly behind schedule, Google has finally started making the new one available Android 15. The operating system, distributed for the first time starting yesterday, Tuesday 15 October, will be released gradually for all manufacturers: the first models to be affected by the update were smartphones and home tablets, namely those of the Pixel line.
The Mountain View giant itself anticipated the news in a post published on its official German community, which, before being removed as happens in such cases, was saved on a forum dedicated to users Pixels. “Dear Pixel community, this month all Google Pixel devices equipped with Android 14 will receive the software update to Android 15. The update is already available today for some users”we read at the beginning of the message that sparked the tom-tom on the internet.
Someone has started following the procedures to “force” the download through the Settings, but, when the update is available, everyone will receive an automatic notification on the screen. As mentioned, we start with “home” cell phones and tablets, so the list of affected devices is as follows: Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel Tablet, Pixel Fold, Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL and Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
As explained by Google, which always happens in such cases, the release will arrive gradually, and it will be necessary to wait a few weeks for its completion. After Pixel the others will follow brandsstarting from those models that are among the top of the range and in general from companies that traditionally respond more quickly by making the update available to their users, such as Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus, Oppo and Nothing. Also available, together with the “major update”, is the Feature Drop for the month of October, i.e. a monthly package that introduces those new functions and improvements that arrive after a necessary testing and improvement phase.
For update your device you can proceed in two ways, i.e. wait for the notification in which the button to start the upload procedure will also be available, or select manual control which can generally be activated via “Settings” – “System”. To avoid risks, it is always advisable to make a backup of the system, leave, if possible, the electronic device connected to an electrical socket or with full battery and connect to a secure and stable wi-fi network.
Among the most interesting innovations of Android 15 is the one that allows the user to create aprivate area for all the apps that you intend to make inaccessible to others, such as dating or home banking apps: thanks to this function, they will not even be displayed in the list of recent applications, in the settings or in the notifications. In order to access this space, which will not be visible in any way on your device, further authentication will be required with a password or pin different from the normal one.
Another innovative function is the one that will allow “archive temporarily” apps that have not been used for a long time to free up space on your smartphone or mobile phone, without however running the risk of permanently losing data and settings: a benefit that will also be granted to third-party apps.
For the security issue, two specific functions will have a great impact. With “Theft Detection Lock”based on artificial intelligence, the phone will automatically lock in the event of theft, detecting an escape on foot, by bicycle or by car. With “Remote Lock”However, it will be possible to lock the device remotely using another Android phone and entering your phone number and a “simple security check”. Both functions will be available for the majority of devices equipped with at least Android 10. Also in the field of security, there is the function relating to the restoration of factory information: to prevent thieves from formatting the device in the event of theft, Android 15 will require you to enter your login credentials before proceeding with the reset.
Through the “secure sharing“, however, you will be able to share on-screen activities by choosing to automatically “obscure” sensitive information or notifications, without therefore putting your privacy at risk.
Android 15 also includes automatic reactivation Bluetoothwhich starts if the user deactivates it and forgets to restart it: the operating system will carry out this operation the following day, keeping Quick Share and Find My Device active, obviously in the event that this function is not deactivated manually.