Android keeps getting smarter in small ways. The Android 15 beta and recent feature drops quietly added useful tools most people have not found yet. These include a Private Space to hide apps, clearer battery health stats, new gesture shortcuts, and improved call-screen features.
Want to squeeze more power from your phone? This guide shows what these hidden features do and how to use them right now. Short steps. Clear examples. No tech fluff.
Quick list: the features we will cover
- Private Space for hidden apps and private workflows.
- Battery health stats and an 80 percent charge cap.
- Gesture shortcuts and productivity tweaks.
- Call screen improvements and call notes.
- Small privacy and performance tweaks from Pixel Feature Drops.
Ready? Let’s dig in.
Private Space: a simple safe for apps and data
Private Space creates a locked area on your phone where certain apps are hidden and private. Think of it like a second, secure home screen that needs a separate unlock to open. Apps inside Private Space do not show notifications, recent apps entries, or settings hints while locked. This is great for keeping sensitive apps private from other users.
Why use it?
- Keep work or finance apps hidden on a shared phone.
- Test how apps behave when their processes are paused.
- Hide apps you do not want in the main launcher.
How to set up Private Space (step-by-step)
- Open Settings and tap Security & privacy.
- Find Private space under Privacy. Tap to set up.
- Create a separate lock method for the Private Space.
- Add apps you want hidden into the Private Space.
Want to test it? Put your banking app inside and lock the space. Try opening it from the main screen. You will see the app is hidden until you unlock the private area.
Battery health stats and charge limits: slow the wear
Battery health is now easier to see. Android’s tools show cycle counts and capacity estimates so you get a clearer picture of your battery’s condition. Some Pixel Feature Drops also added a manual 80 percent charging cap so you can limit full charges and improve long-term battery life. These controls help if you keep a phone for several years and want less battery wear.
How to check battery health
- Open Settings and go to Battery. Look for Battery Health or Battery Care stats.
- Check cycle count and design capacity numbers if shown.
- Enable the 80 percent charge cap in charging settings if you want slower wear.
Why this matters: charging to 100 percent and keeping a device plugged in often causes more battery wear. Using the cap for overnight charging can add months to battery life.
Gesture shortcuts: work faster with a flick or tap
Android 15 added or refined gesture shortcuts that hide in the settings. You can map gestures to quick actions like launching the camera, toggling torch, or starting a voice recorder. These little gestures save time and make the phone feel faster.
Common gesture shortcuts to try
- Double tap the back to open an app or quick action.
- Swipe with three fingers to start a screen recorder or take a partial screenshot.
- Press and hold a corner to call up accessibility or one-handed mode.
How to enable and customize
1.Open Settings and search for Gestures or System navigation.
2.Look for Back Tap or Gesture shortcuts.
3.Choose the action you want and test it.
Pro tip: assign a low-risk action like opening Notes or launching the camera. If you trigger it by accident, it is easy to dismiss.
Call screen tweaks and call notes: smarter call handling
Recent feature drops brought better call screening and call notes that help with hands-free work. Call Screen can now run in manual or automatic mode in some regions and languages. The feature can transcribe the caller and convert notes into tasks for you to follow up. This is especially useful for people who handle many phone queries at work.
How to use Call Screen and Call Notes
- On incoming calls, choose Screen call to let the phone ask the caller for details.
- After the call, check the transcription or convert a short note into a reminder or task.
- Use manual mode if you want to control when the caller is screened.
This is a handy tool for busy professionals. It reduces the time you spend typing notes after a call.
Small privacy and performance drops from Pixel updates
Pixel Feature Drops often contain fixes and small features that do not make headlines. Recent drops improved theft detection, audio controls, and app behaviors for foldable phones. If you use a Pixel, check the Pixel Drop notes inside Settings to see what new small tools you can enable.
Why check the feature drop notes? Many useful tools live there and do not appear in main settings at first. A one-minute scan can reveal helpful tweaks.
Practical workflows: three quick power-user hacks
1.Private meeting mode
- Put sensitive meeting apps inside Private Space. Lock the space before sharing your screen or handing the device to a colleague. Result: fewer accidental exposures.
2.Battery-first night charging
- Enable the 80 percent cap overnight. Charge to 80 percent for daily use and override only for long trips. Result: better battery longevity.
3.Hands-free call logging
- Use Call Screen plus a voice recorder gesture. For field teams, this combo captures caller details with minimal typing. Result: less admin work after calls.
Which hack fits you? Try one this week. Small changes add up.
Troubleshooting and things to watch for
- Private Space may hide apps in a way that breaks some notifications. If you rely on an app for urgent alerts, test it thoroughly.
- Battery health numbers are estimates. Use them as a guide, not a hard rule. If your battery is behaving poorly, get it checked by service.
- Gestures can be mis-triggered at first. Tweak sensitivity and keep actions simple.
Always test new features for a few days before relying on them in work.
Final checklist: enable these hidden tools today
- Open Settings and set up Private Space for sensitive apps.
- Check Battery settings and enable the 80 percent cap if you want slower battery wear.
- Enable useful gesture shortcuts and map them to quick actions.
- Try Call Screen or Call Notes when you need quick transcription or task creation.
Conclusion
Android 15 and recent feature drops hide many small tools that make phones more private, longer lasting, and quicker to use. Want a less distracting, more secure phone? Start with Private Space. Want longer battery life? Try the 80 percent cap. Want fewer notes after calls? Use Call Screen.
Try one of these hidden features today. You might be surprised how much time you save and how much smoother your phone feels.