Android 15 is finally here but even older phones are getting a big update

It's been a long time coming but is officially updating Pixel smartphones today with 15, the latest version of the company's mobile operating system. If you have a Pixel 6, 7, 8, 9 or one of the two Pixel Fold phones, you should get a free download of the software very soon. Google broke with tradition and launched the series without a brand new Android version back in August, with fans waiting two months for Android 15 to be available.

Compared to previous years when a new Android version meant a big visual overhaul, Android 15 might seem like a small upgrade at first, but there are some changes under the hood that should benefit most phone owners.

Google's main focus with Android 15 is to deter phone theft, a rising issue in many countries including the UK. Smartphones are pinched daily from the hands of the public, and part of the reason is that Android phones can often be relatively easily reset, wiped of your data, and sold on for profit. Thieves can also on occasion access your banking apps after stealing your phone, clearing your accounts of all your money.

Android 15 introduces a new Theft Detection Lock, which Google says uses AI to stop this.

"If your phone senses someone has snatched it and is trying to run, bike or drive away, it will automatically lock your device," Google said. "You can also use Remote Lock to quickly lock your device from any device using your phone number and a simple security check."

The best part is that this new feature is also coming as a free update to most Android phones running Android 10 or newer. That's excellent news if you own an older phone that won't get updated to Android 15 - though the phones that do get the new software will gain additional protection against theft including authentication requirements if your SIM is removed or if someone turns off Find My Device. It's all to make sure it's you doing these things and confirming your identity, rather than a phone thief resetting your phone.

Though Pixel phones will start getting Android 15 from today, you can expect other phone brands to soon start rolling out the new software to recent models. Surprisingly, it won't be releasing Android 15 (called One UI 7 when it comes to Galaxy phones) until early 2025, most likely to coincide with the release of the expected Galaxy S25 series.

Android 15 also has a new feature for Pixels called 'private space' where you can hide any app from view so others can't see it when they use your phone.

"You can create a separate private space to organise sensitive apps, like your social, dating or banking apps," Google said. "When private space is locked, apps remain virtually invisible to others and are hidden from your apps list, recent apps view, notifications and settings."

You need to use your PIN or fingerprint to get into the private space too. Other Android phones already have versions of this feature, but it's the first time Pixels are getting it, which is a bit slow of Google.

The big G has also brought a better more accessible taskbar to foldables and tablets with Android 15 that you can pin permanently like a desktop PCs toolbar, and you can create pairs of apps to launch simultaneously and take advantage of the big screen, though again this isn't anything new in Android.

Slightly confusingly, there is also a 'Pixel Drop' today, which is a separate software update that brings new features to Pixel phones. Pixel Drops happen a few times per year as a way to bring new tools to Google's phones, and this time they're getting hands-free Gemini conversations with all models of Pixel Buds, and the ability to use Gemini to search the Pixel Screenshots app for information. The availability of Pixel Drop features varies by Pixel model.

Android 15 is the last Android version the Pixel 6 will get, but newer Pixels will get updates for much longer. The Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 have a guaranteed seven years of software support to keep them updated until 2030 and 2031 respectively.