Google has started rolling out Android 15 Beta 3 to Pixel devices. This update brings Android 15 to Platform Stability, meaning the developer APIs (API Level 35) and all app-facing behaviors are final.
Developers can now review and integrate these changes into their apps, and apps targeting Android 15 can be released on Google Play.
What’s New in Android 15 Beta 3?
Improved User Experience for Passkeys and Credential Manager
Users can sign into apps targeting Android 15 using passkeys with facial recognition, fingerprint, or screen lock in a single step.
If the sign-in prompt is dismissed, Passkey and other Credential Manager suggestions will appear in keyboard’s suggestion row and in username/password dropdown menus.
WebSQL Deprecated in Android WebView
WebSQL is deprecated in Android WebView and will become non-functional on all Android versions within 12 months, following its removal from Chrome. The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) recommends using Web Storage API technologies like IndexedDB for web databases.
Other Highlights of Android 15 Beta 3
Force-Close Changes: When an app is force-closed, it is stopped indefinitely until relaunched. Widgets for such apps will be grayed out.
Memory Page Size Support: Android 15 now supports devices with a maximum memory page size of up to 16KB, up from the usual 4KB, allowing for phones with larger RAM capacities.
Predictive Back Animations: Enabled by default, incentivizing developers to support the feature.
Private Space Feature: Similar to Samsung’s Secure Folder, this allows locking certain apps behind extra authentication. Developers may need to adjust profile logic, and custom launchers must be updated to hide these apps from the home screen and app drawer.
Bug Fixes
Google has also addressed several bugs in this update as follows:
- Fixed an issue where disabling polling using the setDiscoveryTechnology method didn’t disable polling. (Issue #341196917)
- Fixed an issue that prevented the system sharesheet from loading in some cases. (Issue #340936670)
- Fixed an issue that caused the system Settings app to crash when accessing screen saver options. (Issue #340917853)
- Fixed an issue that sometimes caused the screen unlock icon to be displayed when notifications were on screen. (Issue #340923963)
- Fixed an issue that prevented mobile network security settings from being changed. (Issue #335438231)
- Fixed an issue with the Android Emulator that caused Simpleperf to crash when running a CPU profile.
- Resolved an issue where Bluetooth LE scans could persist in the system after an app crash.
- Fixed a bug in Bluetooth LE legacy advertising, where AdvertisingSet.setScanResponseData did not return ADVERTISE_FAILED_DATA_TOO_LARGE when scan response data exceeded the 31-byte limit.
- Fixed a bug that caused LE connection failures on the GATT server by passing the address type from BluetoothGattServer.connect to native.
Availability
Android 15 Beta 3 is available as an OTA update for Pixel 6 and newer models enrolled in the beta program. The update can be manually checked under Settings → System → Software update → System update → Check for updates.
It will be automatically applied to enrolled phones within five days. Alternatively, you can manually update using factory images or OTA files available online.
Release Details
- Release Date: June 18, 2024
- Build: AP31.240517.022
- Emulator Support: x86 (64-bit), ARM (v8-A)
- Security Patch Level: June 2024
- Google Play Services: 24.16.17
Supported Devices
Android 15 Beta 3 is available for:
- Pixel 6a, 6, and 6 Pro
- Pixel 7a, 7, and 7 Pro
- Pixel Fold
- Pixel Tablet
- Pixel 8a, 8, and 8 Pro
Android 15 Beta 3 brings significant improvements and new features, moving us closer to the final stable release later this year.