Google releases the first beta version of Android 15 for Pixel devices

The first beta of the next major version of Android will launch a month before Google I/O 2024. Android 15 Beta 1 is rolling out to Pixel devices today.

Android 15 Beta 1 is the “initial beta quality beta” and the first of this cycle is available as an over-the-air update for those enrolled in the Android Beta program.

We'll have a lot more to share as we move through the release cycle; Stay tuned for more news and announcements around Google I/O on Tuesday, May 14.

Regarding the user-facing changes, “Apps targeting Android 15 are rendered edge-to-edge by default on Android 15 devices.” Apps will appear behind system statuses and gesture bars.

System bars are transparent or semi-transparent and content will be pulled to the back by default.

Google officially announces “OS-level support for application archiving and unarchiving” that came with DP2. This “removes the APK and any cached files, but retains user data.”

Archived apps are returned as viewable apps through LauncherApps APIs; Users will see a UI treatment to highlight that these apps have been archived. If the user clicks on an archived application, the responsible installer will receive a request to unarchive it…

The new E2eeContactKeysManager “makes end-to-end encryption (E2EE) easier in your Android apps by providing an OS-level API for storing public encryption keys.”

E2eeContactKeysManager is designed to integrate with the platform's Contacts application to give users a centralized way to manage and verify the public keys of their contacts.

In Android 15, TalkBack supports Braille displays that use the HID standard
Both USB and Bluetooth are secure, just like mice and keyboards.

in addition to:

• “…Apps can now register your fingerprint on supported devices so they can be notified of polling ring activity, allowing for seamless operation with many NFC-compatible apps.”
• “Android 15 brings additional changes to prevent malicious background apps from bringing other apps to the foreground, elevating their privileges, and abusing user interaction, with the goal of protecting users from malicious apps and giving them more control over their devices.”

You can leave feedback using the Android Beta Feedback app on Pixel devices. You can access it from the drawer or via quick settings to log errors in Google's issue tracker. There is also an Android Beta community On Reddit.

Android 15 Beta 1 (AP31.240322.018) is available with the April 2024 security patch for Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel Tablet, Pixel Fold, Pixel 8, and Pixel devices. 8 Pro, in addition to the Android emulator. Most people will install via Android beta programbut you can too flash or Side loading.

if I were On the Android 14 Beta program – Currently QPR3 Beta 2.1 – or 15 Developer Preview 2, you will get Android 15 Beta 1 OTA today.

Devices running Android 15 DP1 (build AP31.240119.016) or Android 14 QPR3 Beta 1 (version AP21.240119.009) Unable to sideload Android 15 Beta 1 (build AP31.240322.018) due to an error in the installed structure. If you want to download Android 15 Beta 1, first perform the over-the-air update to Android 15 DP2 (build AP31.240223.016.A3) or Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2 (build AP21.240305.005).

If you need help, here's our complete guide on installing Android 15.