Google is hard at work on Android 15, the next major update for the Android operating system that will arrive later in 2024. Following two developer previews, the first Android 15 beta is now available.




The first beta release of Android 15 is now available, coming after the first developer preview in February and a second developer preview in March. Unlike the earlier testing releases, the first beta is deemed ready for regular testers and not just app developers. However, Android 15 still hasn’t reached “platform stability,” so there could be more breaking changes to app behaviors and APIs in future Android 15 releases. Google expects to reach platform stability in June 2024, a few months before the final Android 15 release.

Google said in a blog post, “Android 15 continues our work to build a platform that helps improve your productivity, give users a premium app experience, protect user privacy and security, and make your app accessible to as many people as possible — all in a vibrant and diverse ecosystem of devices, silicon partners, and carriers.”


The first beta is usually when we start seeing the exciting changes, but there’s still not much to talk about. Android 15 Beta 1 now displays applications in edge-to-edge mode by default instead of showing a solid navigation bar and status bar (as seen below), assuming the given app has been updated to target Android 15. There are also improvements for Braille displays and apps using NFC. Google might be saving some Android 15 feature announcements for Google I/O, which starts on May 14, 2024.

Screenshot of an app with and without a solid navigation bar and status bar.
Google


Google rolled out automatic app archiving last year, which partially removes apps and games you haven’t used in a while retaining all user data. Android 15 Beta 1 makes that a system-level feature, so it will be available for other app stores to use, such as F-Droid, the Samsung Galaxy Store, or the upcoming Epic Games Store.

You can enroll in the beta with a supported Google Pixel phone or tablet, which will send Android 15 Beta 1 as an update, and you’ll receive future Android 15 releases as updates as they become available. It can also be used in the Android Studio Emulator. As always, don’t install Android betas on a phone or tablet that you rely on to work perfectly, because there will probably be some bugs.

Source: Google