Android 15 developer preview is now live: everything you need to know about the first release

Google’s first Android 15 developer preview, focused on privacy and security enhancements, is now available for download. The latest major OS update following Android 14 allows creators to make better use of their camera hardware, giving them more ways to manage heat and processing power for more efficient app performance. is provided to developers.

This early version of Android 15 is primarily for developers to help build apps tailored for the next release of the Android OS and provide valuable feedback as Google rolls out updates throughout 2024. The purpose is to obtain.

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However, just because the preview is for developers doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t download Android 15 right now. Understand the limitations of the developer preview (which may include bugs, missing features, and app incompatibilities) and how to install with manual flash (adds the OS to your phone’s flash memory storage) to properly check Android 15. now.

If you don’t want to deal with software issues or installation issues, wait until April and May when Google opens registration for its Android beta program, or wait until June and July for more stable versions to drop. You can also. The final version of Android 15 for all Android users is expected to be released in the fall.

Not sure what to do next? Here’s everything you need to know about Android 15. Learn more about how Google built immersive views for Maps and how to clear your browser cache on Android.

What’s new in the first Android 15 developer preview?

Google said this first developer preview is focused on improving user privacy and file security. We also focus on giving creators easy access to tools and hardware (like in-app camera controls), as well as thermal and power management to improve app and game performance. The latest release uses the confectionery-themed codename “Vanilla Ice Cream.”

for Privacy and security, Android 15 uses the latest version of Privacy Sandbox, a multi-year effort to strengthen user privacy on Android. Privacy Sandbox improves privacy for mobile ads by limiting the data that third parties can access. Android 15 also allows users to screen share a portion of their screen instead of the entire screen.

Google gives developers and creators more control. camera hardware Lets you take advantage of premium hardware features like the Pixel camera, GPU, and AI processing. These expanded controls let you increase the brightness of the camera preview, adjust the flash intensity, and connect MIDI 2.0 devices via USB.

This first developer preview of Android 15 also includes: Thermal and process power management tools Enabling developers to optimize performance-critical and graphics-intensive apps and games through the improved Android Dynamic Performance Framework.

As more developer previews and betas are released, Google will continue to add and improve features based on feedback from everyone using Android 15.

Which phones support Android 15 developer preview?

Google typically releases early developer previews only on its own devices. This also applies to Android 15. Currently, you can download Android 15 on the following Google Pixel smartphones and tablets:

If your device is not on the list, don’t worry yet. As the year progresses, Android 15 will also be available on other phones and tablets. You also have the option to use 64-bit system images with Android Studio’s Android emulator.

Back up your phone before installing Android 15

Please note that running pre-release software on your phone may cause instability and data loss. We recommend downloading and installing pre-release software on devices other than your primary Pixel device in case Google’s new software causes issues.

The first thing you need to do before downloading your first Android 15 developer preview is to back up your supported device. why? Since Developer Preview is early software, you can expect to encounter bugs, app crashes, and other issues that may make day-to-day use of your phone or tablet difficult.

By default, your Pixel automatically backs up whenever you’re connected to Wi-Fi and your phone is idle and charging for two hours, but you can also back up manually. Depending on the size of your phone’s backups and free space on Google Drive, you may need a Google One subscription for this to work.

To back up your Pixel phone, visit: setting > Google > backup and tap backup now. Depending on your last backup and the number of apps and files that need to be backed up, this process may be instantaneous or may take up to a few minutes. Once the backup is complete, you are ready to begin the process of downloading and installing Android 15.

Next, enable USB debugging and OEM unlocking

To install Android 15 on your Pixel, connect your phone to your computer via USB. To do so, you’ll need to unlock your Pixel and enable USB debugging. Unlocking your phone is easy, but to enable USB debugging, you must first unlock Developer Options.

Note: If you have previously flashed the developer preview, you may only need to update OTA to Android 15. If not, please move on to the next section.

1. Unlock developer options.inside setting Application, go to About the phone and tap build number 7 times. Enter your password when prompted and a new Developer Options menu will appear in Settings.
2. Next, you need to enable USB debugging so that your phone and computer can transfer data to each other.go to setting > system > Developer options and turn on the switch usb debugging. When you see a notification that briefly explains the purpose of USB debugging, tap . got it.
3. Finally, while using developer options, turn on the switch. OEM unlocked. This will unlock the device’s bootloader and load the operating system. Once unlocked, you’ll be able to choose a different operating system to boot on your Pixel, in this case Android 15.

Finally, use Chrome’s Android Flash tool to flash Android 15 to your device.

There are two ways to flash Android 15 Developer Preview on your Pixel, but to keep things simple, we’ll use the Android Flash tools available directly from your web browser. Works best in Chrome or Edge. Also, your computer must have 10 GB of available storage for this to work.

If everything looks good, connect your Pixel to your computer via USB, unlock your device, and go to https://flash.android.com/ in Chrome to:

1.Hit it first Allow ADB access in the pop-up that appears (please turn off your ad blocker if you have one).
2.Click now Add new deviceselect your device from the list and press Connecting.
3. On your Pixel, check the following boxes: Always allow from this computer and tap To give permission Allow Android Flash Tool to access your phone.
Four.Return to your computer and click developer preview under popular builds.
Five.click Install the build and hit confirm.

Android 15 Developer Preview should now be installed on your phone. Safely disconnect your Pixel from your computer.

Android 15 is now available on Pixel

When your Pixel restarts, you’ll see a notification that you’re running Android 15 developer preview.strike got it Then set up your phone just like you would a new phone. That means connecting to Wi-Fi, copying apps and data from your latest backup via Google, agreeing to terms of service, setting a password, and more.

For all developer previews and betas, you can automatically get future updates over the air, so you don’t have to manually flash Android 15 every time.

What is the release schedule for Android 15?

Google said it plans to release several developer previews, one in February and one in March, to add new features and check compatibility.

Beta releases for early adopters, scheduled for April and May, will be more stable and will focus on improving quality and compatibility. Finally, platform stability releases scheduled for June, July, and August will focus on final testing of Android 15 ahead of the first general release in the fall.

Have an older Android? Check out these 5 tips to get your Android phone back to like-new condition.