I upgraded to Android 15 on my Pixel 9 Pro. Here are my 6 favorite features so far

On the surface, Android 15 looks just like 14, so it might be easy to assume it won't make a big impact. After using the updated OS for a few weeks, I found that some pretty handy features have been added to the platform, and some are even game-changing.

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Here are my favorite Android 15 features so far.

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 that space can very quickly be consumed by the apps 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 when your device is low on space.

2. Single-tap passkeys

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. 

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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. 

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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.

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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

I'm happy I've not had to test out theft detection lock 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. 

If that should happen, everything gets locked down, and the thief is denied access. Android 15 also adds Offline Device Lock, which locks the screen to ensure that your phone can't be used by the thief if it's taken offline.

6. The new Pixel Weather app

The new Weather app is so much better than previous iterations. Not only is it easier to read, it's more accurate and gives you more detail about what's coming with the weather. 

You'll now find "tiles" for the 10-day forecast, precipitation, wind, sunrise and sunset, UV index, air quality, and pressure. As well, there's now an AI Weather Report summary at the top of the page, so if you just need a quick update on what the day's weather will bring, expand it and give the bulleted list summary a read. You can also add more locations and either enable or disable precise location. I view the forecast daily (especially for outdoor activities) and the new app is a big improvement over previous releases.

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.