Google has recently rolled out the Beta 3 update of Android 15 for its Pixel devices, namely- Pixel 6a, 6, and 6 Pro, Pixel 7a, 7, and 7 Pro, Pixel Fold, Pixel Tablet, Pixel 8a, 8, and 8 Pro. This update encompasses numerous new enhancements which refine users’ experience and prepare developers for the final release of Android 15. After the rollout of the Android 15 Beta 3 version, Google has announced that the platform will reach ‘Platform Stability’. This in simpler words means that the developers’ APIs (API Level 35) and all the app-facing behaviour are now final. They can now begin the final compatibility test with full confidence and prepare for their apps.
But what changes have the Beta 3 version brought? Let us go over the key features of Android 15 Beta 3.
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Android 15 Beta 3 Version Key Features
- Improved Credential Manager: With this latest update, users will now benefit from a much more streamlined sign-in process in apps which will be running on Android 15 beta OS. This new update will let the user use passkeys with facial recognition, fingerprint or screen lock in a single step. In case if a sign-in prompt has been dismissed then the Passkey and Credential Manager suggestions will pop up in your keyboard’s suggestion row and username/password dropdown menus.
- Force-Close Behaviour Update: If an app gets forced close then it will remain halted until it gets relaunched manually. Beta 3 update also affects widgets associated with the app. The widgets will appear as greyed out when the app is force-closed.
- Deprecation Of WebSQL In Android WebView: WebSQL will be deprecated in Android WebView, and will remain non-functioning for the next 12 months, aligning with its removal from Chrome. Developers are being encouraged to transition to the ‘Web Storage API’ technologies, like ‘IndexedDB, which were recommended by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).
- Memory Page Size Enhancement: This update will also support devices with a maximum memory page size of up to 16KB. This is a significant increase from the standard 4KB (2KB hike). It will accommodate smartphones with larger RAM capacities, for better memory management and performance.
- Predictive Back Animations: As per Google, it provides a smoother and more intuitive back navigation experience for users. This has been enabled by default in the new version to encourage developers to support the new feature.
- Private Space Feature Arrives: Akin to Samsung’s Secure Folder, the Android 15 Beta 3 version will introduce the ‘Private Space’ feature which enables users to lock certain apps behind extra authentication, for enhanced security.
Developers have been advised to adjust their app logic and update their custom launchers to hide these secured apps from the home screen and app drawer.
Apart from these key features, numerous bugs have also been fixed. Let us briefly go over them.
Android 15 Beta 3 Version Bug Fixes
- Mobile Network Security: The bug preventing changes to mobile network security settings was fixed.
- Polling Issue: The issue where disabling polling using the setDiscoveryTechnology method didn’t work was fixed.
- Android Emulator: A crash in Simpleperf during a CPU profile on the Android Emulator was fixed.
- Screen Saver Crash: The glitch leading to a crash in the system Settings app when accessing screen saver options was fixed.
- System Sharesheet: An issue was preventing the system share sheet from loading in some scenarios was also fixed
- Screen Unlock Icon: Fixed a bug where the screen unlock icon appeared with notifications on the screen.
- Bluetooth LE Scans: Fixed persistence of Bluetooth LE scans after an app crash.
- Bluetooth LE Advertising: A bug in legacy advertising that failed to return ADVERTISE_FAILED_DATA_TOO_LARGE when scan response data exceeded 31 bytes was fixed.
- GATT Server Connection: Addressed connection failures on the GATT server by passing the address type from BluetoothGattServer.connect to native.