Android 15 Developer Preview Out Today: Everything to Know About the First Release – CNET [CNET]
This early version of Android 15 is intended mostly for developers, to help them build apps tuned for the next release of the Android OS, and for Google to get valuable feedback as it rolls out updates throughout 2024.
Read more: Best Android Phone of 2024
But just because the preview is meant for developers doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t download Android 15 right now. As long as you understand the limitations of a developer preview (which can include bugs, missing features and app incompatibility) and how to install it with manual flash (adding the OS to your phone’s flash memory storage), you can check out Android 15 right now.
If you don’t want to deal with software issues or installation, wait until April and May for Google to open enrollment for its Android beta program, or you could even wait until June and July for a more stable version to drop. The final version of Android 15, intended for all Android users, is expected to release sometime in the fall.
Unsure about what to do next? Well here’s everything you need to know about Android 15. For more, here’s how Google built its Immersive View for Maps and how to clear your browser’s cache in Android.
Which new features are in Android 15’s developer preview?
With this first developer preview, Google said the focus is on enhancing user privacy and file security. It’s also focused on giving creators greater access to tools and hardware — including in-app camera controls — and on heat and power management for improved app and game performance.
For privacy and security, Android 15 is using the latest version of Privacy Sandbox, which is a multiyear initiative to enhance user privacy on Android. Privacy Sandbox improves privacy around mobile advertising, by limiting what data third-parties can access. Android 15 also allows users to screen share part of their screen, rather than the entire screen.
Google will give developers and creators more precise control of camera hardware to help them take advantage of premium hardware features, including the Pixel camera, GPUs and AI processing. These expanded controls can boost the brightness of the camera preview, adjust flash strength, connect MIDI 2.0 devices via USB and more.
This first developer preview of Android 15 also includes heat and processing power management tools via an improved Android Dynamic Performance Framework to help developers optimize performance-heavy and graphic-intensive apps and games.
As more developer previews and beta releases drop, Google will continue to add and refine features based on the feedback from everyone using Android 15.
Which phones support the Android 15 developer preview?
Google typically releases early developer previews just on its own devices, and it’s the same with Android 15. Right now, you can download Android 15 on the following Google Pixel phones and tablet:
If your device isn’t on the list, don’t fret just yet. As the year progresses, Android 15 will be available on other phones and tablets. You also have the option to use the 64-bit system images with the Android Emulator in Android Studio.
![A Pixel Fold laid on a table, partially unfolded to watch a YouTube video](https://i0.wp.com/www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/a9eb8048eb095bd094880b81ca4f6117ec80e1be/hub/2023/08/01/9591155b-6dca-44cc-a1db-57495a1b4358/20230727-google-pixel-fold-02.jpg?resize=800%2C500&ssl=1)
The Pixel Fold supports the first developer preview of Android 15.
Stephen Shankland/CNETBefore you install Android 15, back up your phone
Note that running prerelease software on your phone can make it unstable, and you may lose data. We recommend downloading and installing prerelease software on something other than your primary Pixel device, just in case Google’s new software causes issues.
The first thing you should do before you download the first Android 15 developer preview is to back up your supported device. Why? Developer previews are software in its early days, and so you can expect bugs, app crashes and other issues that can make it difficult to use your phone or tablet on a daily basis.
By default, your Pixel should back up automatically whenever you’re connected to Wi-Fi and your phone has been idle and charging for 2 hours, but you can also do it manually. Depending on the size of your phone backup and how much available space you have on Google Drive, you may need a Google One subscription for this to work.
To back up your Pixel phone, go to Settings > Google > Backup and tap Back up now. Depending on the last backup and how many apps and files need to be backed up, this process can be instant or take up to several minutes. Once you’re backed up, you’re ready to begin the process of downloading and installing Android 15.
![Android 14 backup settings](https://i0.wp.com/www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/6dfbd1d64d4c14cfae031bfbb8cdda10f40a69e4/hub/2022/03/03/e39899ea-d4c5-4387-82cf-87d11f1d6485/android13-2.png?resize=800%2C867&ssl=1)
Back up your phone before you install Android 15 Developer Preview.
Nelson Aguilar/CNETNext, enable USB debugging and OEM unlocking
To install Android 15 on your Pixel, connect the phone to your computer via USB. That requires that your Pixel be unlocked and have USB debugging enabled. Although unlocking your phone is easy enough, to enable USB debugging you’ll need to first unlock Developer options.
Note: If you’ve flashed a developer preview before, you may be able to simply update OTA to Android 15. If not, skip to the next section.
1. Unlock Developer options. In the Settings application, go to About phone and then tap Build number seven times. Enter your password when prompted, and a new Developer options menu will appear in your settings.
2. Next, you’ll need to enable USB debugging so your phone and your computer can transfer data between each other. Go to Settings > System > Developer options and toggle on USB debugging. In the notification that appears, which briefly describes what USB debugging is meant for, tap OK.
3. And finally, while you’re still in Developer options, toggle on OEM unlocking. This unlocks your device’s bootloader, which is what loads the operating system. Once unlocked, you’ll be able to choose a different operating system to boot up on your Pixel — in this case Android 15.
![USB debugging and OEM unlocking on Android](https://i0.wp.com/www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/629ae20e9e06640984ea72abe7c51936ab864960/hub/2022/03/03/1e507578-d125-462d-a1b0-c9322a253a12/android13-1.png?resize=800%2C867&ssl=1)