It’s that time of the year again when Google releases the public beta of the upcoming Android version for Pixel devices. Today, the search engine giant has released the first beta of Android 15.
Google has been diligently working on Android 15, and in the past two months, we’ve seen the two developer preview builds. Sticking with the release schedule, we got the first beta for download and install on eligible Pixel devices.
What’s New in Android 15 Beta 1?
In terms of UI changes, “Apps targeting Android 15 are displayed edge-to-edge by default on Android 15 devices.” This means apps won’t have to call edge-to-edge API.
The next big change coming with the first beta is support for app archiving, with Android 15 bringing OS level support for app archiving and unarchiving. When a user archives an app, it removes the APK and any cached files but persists user data.
Google says, “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.”
The next improvement coming to the Android operating system is with the support of Braille displays to Android Talkback that uses human interface devices instead of USB and secure Bluetooth to improve accessibility.
In terms of privacy and security, Android 15 brings OS-level API for end-to-end encryption for contact keys.
There are some other developer-side changes coming with the first beta, you can explore more on the Android Developers Blog.
Google pushes the first beta with AP31.240322.018 build number and April security patch. In terms of compatibility, the Android 15 officially supports the Pixel 6 and all newer models including the Pixel Tablet and Pixel Fold.
As per the details shared by Google, the first beta is stable enough for general use, testing, as well as development. However, being the first beta, you may encounter some bugs and issues while using it on your smartphone.
If you own a compatible Pixel smartphone, then you can join the Android Beta Program. Once you enroll in the beta program, then you will receive the beta update on your smartphone over the phone. You can check for the software updates by navigating to Settings > System > System updates.
When installed you can use the Android Beta Feedback app to submit problems or issues available on the beta.
You can manually sideload the upgrade your phone to the beta, visit this page to download the Factory images and this page to get the OTA files. Make sure to take a backup before sideloading the new software.
For Android 15 DP users: If your Pixel smartphone is already running on the Android 15 developer preview, then you will get the first beta on your device over the air. Or you can manually install the Android 15 beta on your smartphone.
For Android 14 QPR users: If you’re on the Android 14 QPR release, then you can also upgrade your Pixel smartphone to Android 15 beta without wiping the data, the update will be available on your phone over the air, all you need to do is simply find it inside System Updates settings and install it on your device.
Related Articles:
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- Android 15’s Private Space Feature spotted in action
- Android 15 to Revamp Status Bar Indicators & Icons
- How to Downgrade Android 15 to Android 14 [2 Methods]
- Download Android 15 Factory and OTA Images
- How to Install Android 15 on Pixel Phones (2 Methods)
