Everything is new in Android 15 Beta 2 [Gallery]

Beta 2 of Android 15 is available today after Google previewed key privacy, security and anti-theft tentpoles at I/O 2024.

Over the next few hours, we’ll be diving into all the new features and each of the changes in Android 15 Beta 2. (New updates will be at the top of this list. Check back often and tell us what you find in the comments below.) Android 15 beta 1 screenshots appear on the left and beta 2 on the right.

If you want to quickly install Android 15 Beta 2 on your compatible Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel Tablet, Pixel Fold, Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro, be sure to check out our step-by-step guide.

For reference, here’s everything new in Android 15 Developer Preview 1, DP2, and Beta 1.

Updating…

Haptic feedback when using volume slider + volume panel on tablets

Besides the new volume panel, the slider vibrates when you make changes with your finger (instead of a physical rocker). This concept is similar to the brightness slider.

‘System’ is divided into ‘Android’ and ‘Temporary System Files’.

• Settings > Storage
• Android: This includes your operating system and files required to keep your phone running smoothly. To protect their integrity, these files cannot be accessed.
• Temporary computer files: This includes cache and other temporary files required by your operating system. You may notice changes in the amount of storage used over time.

‘Save App Payer’ is also available on phones

Google only advertises this feature for tablets and foldables, but you can access it on smaller screens. The latest multitasking lacks a “Save App Pair” button, so you have to tap app icons side by side.

Screen saver crashes in beta 2

Passwords, passwords & autofill changes

• “Change” button instead of the settings gear

Cellular > Mobile network security changes

• Settings > Security & Privacy > More Security & Privacy
• Settings page name and descriptions have been changed

Adaptive vibration

Bluetooth: Automatically re-enabled tomorrow

• Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences > Bluetooth
• Enabled by default
• Find My Device Network can help

Redesigned authentication panel

• Beta 1.2 vs Beta 2
• The height at which the app icon appears

Privacy Reform of security and privacy

• Enhanced Privacy Dashboard

Hearing aids QS tile

Volume panel redesign

Color difference

• Previously in developer options without much UI

The forecast is live again

• In Settings app
• Removed developer option toggle

Do not recommend the app

• Previously, you had to pull up as if to delete the app to prevent the Pixel Launcher from suggesting it.

Widget highlights + panel changes

• Recommendations, news & magazines for you

• The application-based widget picker is housed in a container

Android 15 SystemUI icon

Personal space

Settings > Security & Privacy > Private Location.

A “Private” space will appear at the bottom of your app drawer with the ability to unlock with a fingerprint or a separate password/code. If the space is locked, the apps are the latest multitasking, settings and more.

Known issues

• Creating a personal space on a device for the first time removes app icons from the Home screen (or Home screens if more than one Home screen is included). We expect to add a fix for this issue in the beta 2 point release in the coming days. (Issue #340868295)
• Debugging with LLDB still doesn’t work 16 KB emulator system images.
• When the application window switches to Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode, if you rotate the device before the PiP transition is complete, the PiP window disappears.
• An error page appears when adding an account during device setup.
• “Android System Intelligence keeps stopping” message while creating file in Google Docs app.
• The Google TV app sometimes fails to start video playback and instead displays a “Play Movies & TV temporarily unavailable” message.

Issues resolved by developers

• Fixed an issue where the top part of the long screenshot operation interface overlapped with the status bar, preventing access to screenshot controls. (Issue #334003755)
• Fixed an issue where the top part of the long screenshot operation interface overlapped with the status bar, preventing access to screenshot controls. (Issue #333943304)
• Fixed an issue where the top part of the long screenshot operation interface overlapped with the status bar, preventing access to screenshot controls. (Issue #334091555)
• Fixed an issue where the top part of the long screenshot operation interface overlapped with the status bar, preventing access to screenshot controls. (Issue #333981232)

Other issues resolved

• Fixed an issue where “Google Play Services keeps stopping” when setting up the device.
• Fixed an issue where the android.icu.lang.UCharacter APIs did not work for Unicode 15.1.
• Fixed an issue where the viewfinder for the Android QR Code Scanner would sometimes be cropped or slightly resized on some Android virtual devices.

Fixed Bluetooth issues

• BLE reliability:
  • Implemented a fix to prevent BluetoothGATE from getting stuck in a busy state if it fails to write an attribute. (Issue #330663537)
  • Fixed a bug in BluetoothGattService that would sometimes throw a security exception when enabling notifications for a specific device. (Issue #317215071)
  • Fixed a critical Bluetooth connectivity issue affecting dual-mode devices with LE random address.
• LE audio enhancements:
  • Significant improvements have been made to LE audio, including clock synchronization issues, pairing and bonding experiences, and pocket drops for a smoother, higher-quality audio and hearing aid experience.
• Bluetooth API refinements: – Extended Bluetooth Audio Classic (A2DP) layer to support vendor codec in offload audio codec.
  • Refined Bluetooth APIs for better developer experience and improved functionality. This includes improvements to GATT error handling, HID/HOGP switching, and BluetoothDevice#getAddressType() access. (Issue #220161109)