Upcoming Android 15 May Feature Storage Health Monitoring
The anticipated Android 15 update is poised to introduce a novel feature designed to safeguard your digital content. This new addition, known as Device Diagnostics, was recently uncovered in the Android 15 beta by Android Authority. It promises to provide users with a clear percentage indicating the health of their phone’s internal storage.
Device Diagnostics aims to address a common concern among smartphone users: the degradation of onboard storage over time. Despite the initial storage capacity advertised, the reality is that a portion is consumed by the operating system and pre-installed apps. Furthermore, the universal flash storage (UFS) technology used in smartphones, while fast and efficient, is susceptible to wear and tear from routine activities such as downloading and transferring files.
Over time, all storage mediums can deteriorate, leading to data loss or complete failure. Until now, there has been no straightforward method for users to check the integrity of their phone’s internal storage, unlike the tools available for monitoring battery health. The introduction of Device Diagnostics could change this, offering a unified location for users to assess the health of both their battery and storage, as well as the functionality of their phone’s display and touchscreen.
However, it’s important to note that this feature is still in the beta stage for Android 15, and its inclusion in the final release is not guaranteed. Predictions suggest that the full release may occur between August and October, with more details expected at the Google I/O 2024 event on May 14. Additionally, if Device Diagnostics does become part of Android 15, it may initially be exclusive to Google Pixel devices due to compatibility issues with other Android handsets.
For those eager to experiment with the feature now, the Activity Launcher app provides a workaround. After installing the app on a Google Pixel 7 Pro running Android 15, users can access device diagnostics without the need to root their phone. This feature offers insights into the phone’s storage and battery health, including capacity, cycle count, and manufacturing date—valuable information for those who rely on their device’s longevity and have not fully embraced cloud backups.
Maintaining Memories
While Device Diagnostics may not be supported on all phones, there are proactive steps users can take to protect their data. Backing up important files to an alternative device or cloud storage is a prudent measure. Regularly cleaning up your device by deleting redundant files, uninstalling unused apps, and clearing app caches can also help maintain performance and prevent data loss.
It’s worth noting that clearing an app’s cache and data might necessitate re-authentication within the app. Nevertheless, these simple maintenance tasks can contribute to a smoother and more reliable smartphone experience.
