5 Best Android 15 Features You Should Explore Post-Update

After multiple developer previews and beta testing, Google finally started rolling out the stable Android 15 update to Google Pixel devices a few days back. Worth noting that the Android 15 saw a delayed rollout compared to the previous Android versions. We donโ€™t know the exact reasons, but it might have to do with bug fixing and other stuff. Or Google wanted to couple it with Feature Drop to make it look like a bigger update.

For the uninitiated, Android 15 (codenamed Vanilla Ice Cream) is the latest iteration of the Android operating system that will power most of the upcoming and present Android phones. While the Android 15 update doesn’t look as big on the surface, you’d come across handy new features as you deep dive into it.

If you’ve already installed the latest Android 15 update on your Google Pixel device, you must be wondering which top features you should first try after updating your phone to Android 15. That’s what we are here for. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the top Android 15 features you should try immediately.

Must-Try Features in Android 15 After the Update

Here we will only be sharing 5 best features. You should know that this is not the list of all features, but the features you should try before other ones.

1. Single app screen recording

One of the top Android 15 features that Iโ€™d like you to try now is the single app screen recording. With this new Android 15 feature in place, you can record one app when recording your screen. It is important to note that other than the appโ€™s frame nothing is recorded during the process.

In previous Android versions, you could use the screen recording feature. But, the problem was that it used to record every content that appeared on your deviceโ€™s screen. So, if you happen to get a sensitive notification or switch through the app, everything used to be visible on the final recording. Now, thatโ€™s changed with Android 15.

Now, whether you receive a text notification, switch apps, or swipe down the notification panel while recording, you donโ€™t have to worry a little. None of these will be visible in the final recording. This top Android 15 feature aims to ultimately prevent the hassle of editing unnecessary details from the final recording to keep your sensitive information private.

Here’s how you can try out screen recording a single app on Android 15:

Single app screen recording android 15
Image: AndroidPolice

Step 1: Swipe down on the control center of your Android 15 device.

Step 2: Tap on the Screen Recording option.

Step 3: Choose the “A Single App” option from the drop-down list, if you want in-app audio to be included in the recording, make sure to enable the “Record audio” option sitting right below.

Also read: How to Install Android 15 on Pixel Phones Right Now

2. Save App Pair

App pairing is another contender in our list of top Android 15 features you should try after updating your device. If you are a fan of the split-screen mode, you must know that it enables you to simultaneously use two apps offering a multitasking experience on your Android device. Previously when you needed to trigger split-screen mode for two apps, you had to do it manually every time. However, Android 15 now changes that and made it simple to use.

This new Android 15 feature lets you save app pairs on your deviceโ€™s home screen. When you tap the app pairs on the home screen, itโ€™ll simply open both apps in the the split-screen mode. Remember, the layout of the app remains the same as it was at the time you created the app pair. If you want to create an app pair in Android 15, tap between two apps when viewing them in split-screen mode and select the “Save App pair” option.

It is even easier to user on a Tablet.

Android 15 save app pair/Google

Also read: Download Android 15 Factory and OTA Images

3. Theft Protection

With rising cases of snatching and device theft, it was important for Google to address the whole situation with a new feature that shields the data of Android users. Thankfully, Android 15 has a suite of security features under Theft protection that takes away all the worries about data theft when someone snatches or stoles your phone when itโ€™s unlocked.

The new Android 15 feature called Theft Protection feature uses the motion sensor of your device to lock your device when it detects a sudden motion. Thatโ€™s not all, even if the device doesnโ€™t lock on its own in the event of snatching, the device will lock itself once the internet is turned off. The desired usage of features is only possible when you enable them from the settings on your device running Android 15.

Theft protection include three security features: Remote Lock, Theft Detection Lock, and Offline Device Lock. Some Android phones also received these trio on Android 14.

You can enable these security features by following the steps given below:

Android 15 theft protection/Google

Step 1: Head to Settings.

Step 2: Tap on the โ€œSecurity and privacyโ€ option and select Device Unlock

Step 3: Within Device Unlock settings, tap the new โ€œTheft Protectionโ€ option.

Step 4: Here, youโ€™ll see dedicated toggles for the Theft Detection Lock and Offline Device Lock. We recommend enabling them.

Step 5: Search for Remote Lock in Settings, and enable it as well.

Also read: All new features included in October Pixel Drop for Pixel Phones, Tablet & More

4. Archive an app

Previously on Android 14 and older, if you had an app that you rarely used, you had only one option โ€“ Uninstall. While it was not a big deal to uninstall a rarely used app, the problem was the important app data used to get deleted alongside. But, thatโ€™s not an issue anymore, thanks to the Archive feature in Android 15.

Rather than completely removing an app and its data from your Android device, you can use this feature to solely delete the app but preserve its data in the device. So, when you re-download the app from the Google Play Store, the app will import data preserved earlier using the Archive feature. In short, you wonโ€™t feel like using the app from ground zero.

Here’s how to Archive an app in Android 15:

Archive apps android 15
Image: 9to5Google

Step 1: Press and hold the app icon in your app launcher.

Step 2: Tap the App info option or the i icon.

Step 3: On the next screen, tap Archive option.

Step 4: If you want to restore the app, you can simply tap the Restore option as seen in the image above.

5. HQ video option “Device as Webcam” feature

After Appleโ€™s announcement of the Continuity Camera, I always wondered if any such feature would make its way to Android as well. Fortunately, with the release of Android 14 QPR Beta 1, Google allowed users to use their phoneโ€™s camera as a webcam without needing any third-party app or software. However, the issue was the video quality.

Google seems to have a fix for that too with Android 15. In the latest Android OS, thereโ€™s a new HQ mode that brings a noticeable difference to the video quality. You just have to toggle the HQ mode and youโ€™re done. The only caveat with this feature is that your device is likely to get somewhat warm. Anyway, itโ€™s a great addition.

That’s all we have in this rundown of top Android 15 features we’d like you to try initially. Honestly, there are a bunch of features in Android 15 and all of them are equally handy in my view. So, whenever you get a chance, be sure to try all of them. Moreover, we recommend you check the list of Samsung and Sony phones confirmed to receive the Android 15 update.

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Rishaj Upadhyay

Rishaj has been writing professionally for over four years with a passion for Android and all things tech. He likes to always be up-to-date on the latest news in the industry and write about it. When he is not writing, you can find capturing landscape shots, listening to podcasts, and more.

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