Google announces Android 15 for business - Here's what's new

Earlier today, Google announced the rollout of Android 15 for Pixel devices. The Android 15 update brings a lot of new features for consumers, such as app pairs, taskbar pinning, app archiving support, predictive back animations, improved screen shares, and more. The update also brings some new features that impact work phones, which is why Google is giving enterprises a way to control them. Here's what's new in Android 15 for businesses.

• Android theft protection: While not technically an Android 15 feature, the rollout of Android's three new theft protection features heavily impacts businesses, which is why Google leads its announcement with this highlight.

• Private Space: This Android 15 feature lets employees create a separate profile that can be secured with its own lock screen credential or biometric. This can be used to protect sensitive personal apps on work devices. Private Space on COPE (Corporate Owned, Personally Enabled) devices are subject to the same security requirements as the personal profile, but admins can block the user from enabling it (or remove an existing one) if they desire.

• Updated audit logging requirements: Events are now migrated from LogCat to SecurityLog, which makes it easier for admins to review security logs, identify security vulnerabilities, and ensure compliance. Google says this improved audit logging helps organizations more easily meet the latest National Information Assurance Partnership (NIAP) requirements.
• Simplified eSIM management on managed devices: EMMs can now programmatically provision and remove eSIMs on managed deviecs. On personal devices, users can control which SIM is active and activate or remove an enterprise eSIM.
• Default app enforcement: On COPE devices, admins can enforce the OEM default dialer and browser apps as well as select the default messaging app for the personal profile.

• Apply security restrictions for apps outside the Work Profile: Admins can extend existing corporate personal app policies to the private space on COPE devices. Google says that privacy-preserving security configs for core apps will be announced at a future date.
• Control Circle to Search: Admins have the ability to block the Circle to Search feature on COPE devices running Android 15. Circle to Search availability in the personal profile remains unaffected on employee-owned devices with an Android Work Profile.
• Extend battery life by controlling screen settings: Admins can customize the screen brightness, brightness mode, and timeout settings in order to extend battery life on COPE devices, fully managed devices, and dedicated devices.

This help center article goes into more detail about Android 15 for business. Google will share more about these new Android security capabilities at its Android Talks Security session next month.