Android 15 Beta 2 was announced at Google I/O 2024 on Wednesday, a day after the company’s annual developer conference kicked off. The latest beta version of its next major operating system (OS) update is now available for download on Google Pixel smartphones and is coming to select smartphones over the coming weeks. This year, Google is focusing on adding new security and privacy features to Android 15, and the latest beta version contains powerful new features available to beta testers.
During the Google I/O developer session, the company showed off its first security and privacy-focused feature coming to Android 15 smartphones — Private Space. It will allow users to hide certain apps (such as banking, finance, dating or social networking apps) on their smartphone in a secure location. Apps in Private Space can be updated via a separate Play Store app, and will also have access to their own storage space that is not available to other apps on the phone.
Google says the Private Space feature is in the default app drawer on Android 15. Users can scroll down to the bottom of the app list to reveal a protected app. This separate list of optional apps can be protected with a separate password — or using a biometric lock — while allowing them to completely hide its existence.
With Android 15, Google is also upgrading its anti-theft protection, making it harder for thieves to use a stolen phone that has been reset, without the previously used Google account credentials. Android 15 will also ask users for their biometrics when trying to extend screen timeout, access keys, or disable Find My Device.
Another powerful anti-theft feature that comes with Android 15 is the “Theft Detection Lock” or the ability to lock the smartphone when “sudden movement that could indicate theft” is detected. Meanwhile, “Offline Device Lock” will also automatically lock if the user turns off internet access – something a thief might do after stealing a smartphone.
Remote Lock will allow users to send a command using another number (when their handset is stolen) to remotely lock and/or wipe the phone without logging into Find My Device. Theft Detection Lock, Remote Lock and Offline Device Lock are aimed at deterring smartphone theft and will arrive later this year to phones running Android 10 and above, according to Google.
Other features coming with Android 15 include the ability to automatically enable Bluetooth the next day — we can assume that this feature is designed to help Google ensure that its Find My Device network continues to work as intended. Google also added improvements to the widget selector in Android 15, as well as a redesigned volume control panel that offers better accessibility during one-handed use.
Android 15 Beta 2 is available for download on Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6, Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet. Select smartphones from several manufacturers will also be able to install beta versions of Android 15, and you can access the full list of compatible devices here.
