As Android 15 gets ready, Google is one step closer to releasing the new operating system. Today, Google announced that it will release the third beta of Android 15. The update indicates that the platform has reached stability. This means that developer APIs and all app-facing behaviors are now final for testers to review and integrate into their apps, and apps targeting Android 15 can be made available on Google Play.

Although there are not many changes in Android 15 Beta 3 since the last update, there are some interesting things to note with this update. In the blog, Google has pointed out an important change in the passkey UI.

Android 15: Improved passkey UI

The Android 15 beta 3 update uses a passkey with biometric authentication that happens in one step instead of two. Users will be able to sign-in to apps targeting Android 15 using a passkey in a single step, either with facial recognition, fingerprint, or screen lock.

If they accidentally dismiss the prompt to use a passkey to sign in, they will be able to see passkey or other credential manager suggestions in Autofill conditional user interfaces, such as keyboard suggestions or drop-downs.

As the final release is close, Android expert Mishal Rahman discovered that it might be able to identify when the biometric model is not working properly. According to the expert, in this case, it will automatically delete it and prompt the user to do it again.

Other key features of Android 15 Beta 3

Apart from the improved passkey UI, Google also revealed that the Android 15 Beta 3 update will bring other new features.

Private Space feature: Like Samsung’s Secure Folder, this allows certain apps to be locked behind additional authentication. Developers may need to adjust the profile logic, and update custom launchers to hide these apps from the home screen and app drawer.

Force close changes: When an app is forced close, it is paused indefinitely until it is 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 animation: Enabled by default, encourages developers to support this feature.

android 15 release date

Although Google has not announced the final product release date, it is rumoured that Android 15 could release around October 2024, after the launch of the Pixel 9 series. Last year, Google also launched Android 14 with the Pixel 8 series. The latest Pixel phones are usually the first to come with the final version of the new Android version.