Android 15 Features iOS Should Adopt for Better User Experience

Apple and Google have been known to borrow features from each other’s operating systems for years. When Android adds a new feature, it sometimes goes to iOS, and vice versa. With the launch of Android 15, Google introduced several innovative features that iPhone users might find incredibly useful. While some Android features have already been incorporated into iOS, there are still several standout tools in Android 15 that iOS users would love to see on their devices. In this article, we’ll explore six Android 15 features that Apple should consider adding to iOS.

Partial Screen Recording: Capture Only What You Want

One of iPhone users’ biggest frustrations is the inability to record their screens selectively. When recording a screen on iOS, everything on display is captured, even if it includes private or sensitive information. This is where Android 15 shines. Its Partial Screen Recording feature allows users to select a specific app or portion of their screen to record.

Imagine starting a screen recording to demonstrate something on an app, but you don’t want notifications or other apps to show up in the recording. On Android 15, this is fine. The system automatically saves only the content from the chosen app, making it a great privacy tool. If Apple were to add this to iOS, it would save users from the hassle of cropping or editing their recordings.

IPhone users have to record the entire screen and trim the video in the Photos app, which is time-consuming and offers a different level of privacy. Apple should take a page from Google’s book and give iPhone users the option to record only their chosen content.

Predictive Back Gesture: A Smarter Way to Navigate

Navigating apps on Android 15 feels more intuitive thanks to the Predictive Back gesture. When you swipe back in an app, Android slightly minimizes the current screen to show you what you’re about to return to. This preview helps ensure you’re returning to the right place, reducing the chance of mistakenly exiting or returning to the wrong app.

iOS lacks a universal back gesture, and each app handles navigation in its way—whether it’s a back button or a swipe gesture. Adding Android’s Predictive Back feature to iOS would streamline the user experience, making it easier to navigate between apps without mistakes.

This would be a game changer for Apple users who frequently multitask or switch between apps. It could reduce frustration and make iPhones more responsive and fluid when handling multiple tasks.

Device Diagnostics: A DIY Troubleshooting Tool

Android 15 introduces a Device Diagnostics tool that allows users to run tests on their phone’s hardware and software. This feature is incredibly useful for identifying potential problems without visiting a service center. Whether it’s a touchscreen malfunction, display issue, or battery problem, Device Diagnostics gives users the power to troubleshoot their phones.

iOS could benefit greatly from such a tool. While Apple offers some basic troubleshooting options, many users still go to the Apple Store or contact support for help with minor issues. A Device Diagnostics feature could save users time and money by helping them identify and fix problems independently.

Since Apple has already introduced advanced diagnostics tools for macOS, it seems logical to bring this feature to iOS. Giving iPhone users more control over their device’s health would also align with the growing trend of right-to-repair advocacy.

Theft Detection Lock: Protect Your Data from Thieves

One of the most impressive security features in Android 15 is the Theft Detection Lock. This feature uses a phone’s sensors to detect if the device has been physically stolen. If the phone experiences an unusual motion that suggests it’s been snatched, the device will automatically lock, preventing the thief from accessing personal information.

While Apple has Stolen Device Protection, which prevents changes to certain settings, it doesn’t offer the same proactive protection that Android 15 provides. If someone grabs an unlocked iPhone, the thief could still access private data before the user locks it manually.

Theft Detection Lock on Android 15 solves this issue by instantly locking the phone when suspicious movement is detected. Additionally, it locks the phone if it’s taken offline by turning off Wi-Fi or cellular data. This smart security feature would provide iPhone users with an extra layer of protection, ensuring that their personal information remains safe even during a theft.

Richer Widget Previews: Make Your Home Screen More Personalized

Widgets have become a big part of Android and iOS, allowing users to customize their home screens with at-a-glance information. However, Android 15 takes widgets a step further with Richer Widget Previews. This feature lets users see personalized previews of their widgets before adding them to their home screen.

For example, when adding a Gmail widget, Android 15 shows you how your actual emails will look within the widget. This level of personalization currently needs to be added to iOS, which offers limited widget previews, often showing generic images instead of live data.

While some iOS widgets, like Music or Weather, provide real-time previews, most third-party widgets still display static graphics. Bringing Richer Widget Previews to iOS would make widgets more useful and allow users to better customize their home screens based on real-time information.

What’s That Tune?: A Faster Way to Identify Music

Android 15 has improved its Circle to Search feature, adding a music recognition tool called What’s That Tune? Users can hold the navigation bar to identify a song playing in their environment with a single tap. It’s a quick and seamless way to find out what song is playing without opening an app or toggling through settings.

While iOS users can use the Shazam feature in the Control Center to identify music, What’s That Tune? is faster and easier to use. It doesn’t require opening the Control Center, making it more convenient for users who want to identify a song quickly.

Apple could improve its music recognition feature by adopting Android’s approach, allowing users to easily identify songs without navigating multiple menus.

Can We Expect These Features on iOS?

Apple has a history of adopting Android features, often improving them before integrating them into iOS. With Android 15, Google has once again introduced some impressive new tools that would enhance the iPhone experience. From Partial Screen Recording to Theft Detection Lock, these features would make iOS more secure, intuitive, and personalized.

While it’s uncertain if or when Apple will add these features, there’s always hope. With iOS 18 already incorporating some long-time Android features, we could see some of these tools make their way to iPhones in future updates. Until then, Android users can enjoy these innovative features that continue to make the platform more flexible and user-friendly.

By taking inspiration from Android 15, Apple could further improve iOS, offering iPhone users the best of both worlds.