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Android 15

5 Android Features Google Recently Added To Your Phone
AppWizard
February 18, 2026

5 Android Features Google Recently Added To Your Phone

Google has introduced several new features in Android 16 to enhance user experience: - Material 3 Expressive: A new design language featuring vibrant colors, unique icon shapes, and animations, initially exclusive to Pixel devices but now available on other devices. - Advanced Protection Mode: A security feature that activates Google Play Protect, restricts app installations to the Play Store, and includes spam protection and low-security network blocking. - Live Updates: Provides real-time notifications in the status bar and lock screen for updates from selected applications, allowing users to stay informed without opening apps. - Support for 16 KB Page Sizes: Improves performance by allowing more data to be processed on a single page, reducing CPU demand and power consumption, while still supporting legacy 4 KB page sizes. - Quick Share Redesign: Transformed into a full-screen application with an intuitive interface, featuring large toggles and a built-in file picker for easier file sharing and progress indicators during transfers.
I fixed my social media doomscrolling with this underrated Pixel feature
AppWizard
February 16, 2026

I fixed my social media doomscrolling with this underrated Pixel feature

Many individuals are setting resolutions to reduce phone usage as they enter 2026, with a focus on managing addiction to social media platforms like X, Reddit, and Instagram. The Android Modes feature, updated in Android 15, allows Pixel users to customize usage settings to reduce distractions and has led to a noticeable decrease in social media time for many. The Pixel 10 Pro, running on Android 16, is highlighted for its capabilities and support for a more mindful digital experience.
Future Android Update Could Make Your Notifications More Private Than Ever
AppWizard
January 26, 2026

Future Android Update Could Make Your Notifications More Private Than Ever

Android Authority has reported on a forthcoming App Lock feature expected to debut with Android 17, which will enhance user privacy by allowing management of app notification content. Code found in the January developer build of Android Canary 2601 indicates that while apps protected by App Lock will still send notifications, sensitive content will be obscured. Notifications may only show generic alerts like "New message" or "New notification." Users can secure individual apps with a password, PIN, or biometric lock, and can choose to disable notifications from locked apps entirely. This feature is anticipated to first appear on Google Pixel devices, with uncertain availability on other brands. App Lock will function even when the phone is unlocked, distinguishing it from existing privacy features like Private Space, which requires apps to be relocated to a secure area. Currently, developers implement their own app locks, but App Lock aims to provide a universal solution for securing any app on a device.
Android 16 Makes Split Screen Easier on Smaller Screens
AppWizard
January 16, 2026

Android 16 Makes Split Screen Easier on Smaller Screens

The introduction of App Pairs in Android 15 allowed users to select two applications for split-screen usage and add a shortcut to the home screen. However, users with smaller devices faced challenges with the 50:50 split-screen ratio. Android 16 improved this by offering flexible split-screen ratios like 70:30 and 90:10, enhancing the multitasking experience. Users can set up a pairing of applications, such as Chrome and Gemini, with one app occupying 90% of the screen. To create an App Pair, users open the desired applications, access the multitasking view, select the split-screen option, and adjust the ratio by dragging the handle. After setting the preferred view, users can save the app pair for easy access, with the system remembering the last used split-screen ratio.
Android 16 made me fall back in love with split-screen and app pairs
AppWizard
December 23, 2025

Android 16 made me fall back in love with split-screen and app pairs

Google introduced a feature called app pairs with Android 15, allowing users to save two apps as a single icon for simultaneous launching in split-screen mode. Initially available only on tablets, it expanded to devices like the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and other smartphones. Early users found the multi-window mode cumbersome due to limited display space. Android 16 improved this with a 90:10 split-screen mode, prioritizing one app while minimizing the other, enhancing multitasking on smaller displays. The ability to save app pairs streamlines launching two apps side-by-side. Users have found productivity benefits by pairing apps like Spotify with fitness trackers or productivity tools like Slack and Asana.
Android 17 will boost Xiaomi’s app lock security to a new level
AppWizard
December 11, 2025

Android 17 will boost Xiaomi’s app lock security to a new level

Android 17 introduces a system app locking feature, enhancing mobile security with a new permission structure called LOCK_APPS, allowing only system apps and designated launchers to execute this functionality. This feature utilizes the Biometric Prompt API for user authentication via fingerprint, facial recognition, or PIN. Users can lock or unlock apps by long-pressing the app icon on the launcher, which sends a SETAPPLOCK request to Android's core security service. The app lock will only be available on handheld devices, excluding Android Automotive, Wear OS, and Android TV. The feature is expected to debut later in the rollout of Android 17, benefiting Xiaomi devices and HyperOS.
Android Battery Woes Might Finally Be Over—Thanks to This Quiet Change
AppWizard
November 11, 2025

Android Battery Woes Might Finally Be Over—Thanks to This Quiet Change

Google announced an updated Play Store policy on November 10 that will introduce new performance checks for developers, focusing on monitoring excessive partial wake locks. Apps that maintain screen-on time beyond two hours or exhibit excessive wake locks will lose visibility in the Play Store, being demoted in listings and labeled for excessive power consumption. This policy aims to enhance app performance and battery management on Android devices and is set to take effect on March 1, 2026, coinciding with the rollout of Android 17. Google will also provide developers with access to performance metrics to help them improve their apps. Additionally, the adaptive battery system in Android restricts power to infrequently used apps, and Android 15 introduces advanced background restrictions and a more intelligent doze mode.
The Android IRS: How Google once tried to tax battery-sucking background apps
AppWizard
November 1, 2025

The Android IRS: How Google once tried to tax battery-sucking background apps

Google is implementing stricter controls on background processes in the Android ecosystem to conserve battery life. Developers can create foreground services for necessary background tasks, but this requires user notifications. Google encourages the use of APIs like JobScheduler, AlarmManager, and WorkManager for efficient background task management. The Android operating system does not effectively quantify battery costs for these tasks, and while there is a cap of 150 jobs per app, this can still lead to significant battery consumption. To address these issues, Google conceptualized the Android Resource Economy (TARE), which proposed a system where battery power is treated as a limited resource. TARE introduced a virtual currency called "Android Resource Credits" (ARCs) for executing background tasks, with a smaller unit called "Cakes." The system aimed to balance the Cost to Produce (CTP) of tasks with their Price in ARCs, adjusting dynamically based on device state. Apps earn ARCs through Regulations and Rewards, while spending is regulated by an enforcement mechanism that halts tasks if an app's balance is insufficient. TARE also included a "Consumption Limit" to align resource availability with battery status. However, TARE was abandoned with the rollout of Android 15, raising questions about the complexities of managing a virtual economy for battery behavior.
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