I upgraded my Pixel 9 Pro to Android 15. Here are my 5 favorite features so far

Last week my Pixel 9 Pro was upgraded to Android 15. On the surface, Android 15 looks just like 14, so it might be easy to jump to a rather "meh" conclusion. After using the updated OS for a few days, I found some pretty handy features have been added to the platform, some even game-changing.

Also: I bought the Google Pixel 9 Pro, and its most impressive feature was not the software

Of course, not everyone will have the same reaction. Some may favor one feature over another, but this new release has something for everyone.

Here are my favorite features.

1. App Archive

I recently covered this new feature and found it to be a welcome addition. Although most modern phones have an ideal amount of internal storage, not every device offers 256 GB. For those that offer considerably less, space can be precious -- and given that apps do add up, that space can very quickly be consumed by the apps themselves and the data they retain. 

With App Archive (aka App Freeze), apps will be automatically archived after a set period of inactivity. When archived, unnecessary data is removed and the app is no longer available until you launch it again. You can also manually archive an app for when your device is low on space and Android has yet to take care of the archiving itself.

2. Single-tap passkeys

To date, my experience with passkeys has been kind of "blah" with a touch of "blergh." Why? I've created passkeys on my phone, only to find that not all of them work as expected. In some cases, the creation of a passkey fails or the use of them is cumbersome at best. Fortunately, Android 15 gives us a helping hand with a single-tap passkey. 

Also: Passkeys take yet another big step towards killing off passwords

So long as the passkey is set up and available, using the passkey now only requires a single biometric scan (hence the "single tap"). The first passkey I set up on my Pixel 9 Pro has worked every time and does so with that promised single tap. It's effortless. Finally, Android makes using passkeys a viable option for heightened account security.

3. Lock Screen home controls

We use Nest cameras in my home and when I place my phone on the charger, I want to be able to quickly access the front door camera. With the Android 15, that's now a reality. You can add 'Home controls' to the lock screen so it appears when the phone is locked. 

Also: Your Roku TV is about to get a major smart home upgrade - for free

This displays a dark mode page that includes whatever Home devices you've added. For example, you can view your Nest camera by tapping the control. This is a great feature for those who always want to make the most out of their security cameras but must also charge their phones.

4. Private Space

This type of feature is long overdue. Private Space allows you to set up what effectively seems like a sub-account on your phone that exists simultaneously with the main account. You can then add sensitive apps and files to that password-protected space. That way, anyone who gets their hands on your phone won't know about anything you've tucked inside.

Also: The best Android phones to buy in 2024

Unless that person has access to the password, pin, or biometrics you've applied to the private space, they cannot view anything within. This is perfect for those who are highly concerned about their privacy.

5. Theft detection lock

Okay, I'm going to confess that I'm happy I've not had to test out this feature because no one has attempted to steal my phone. Even so, I'm glad the feature is there. It uses artificial intelligence (AI) to sense if someone has absconded with your phone. 

Also: An anti-theft upgrade is coming to Android phones. Here's how to see if you have it yet

If that should happen, everything gets locked down, and the thief is denied access. Should a thief attempt to take your phone offline (to extract data or avoid a remote whip), Android 15 also adds the Offline Device Lock, which locks the screen to ensure that your phone can't be used by the thief.

Android 15 comes with a lot more features than the list stated above, but these are the ones I believe will have the most impact on your daily life. Not only is Google's mobile OS more useful but also more secure and that alone is definitely worth the upgrade.