Android 15 to revamp settings app for better organization

Key Points:

1. Android 15 will likely feature a reorganized settings page.
2. The new layout will group related settings.
3. Some settings, like “Google” and “Digital Wellbeing,” will be moved or updated.

If you check the latest beta version of Android 15, you won’t notice any changes to the Settings app yet. But, based on an analysis, upcoming releases might include a redesigned top-level settings page.

An APK teardown—a method of analyzing app code—suggests that future Android 15 updates could bring a more organized settings layout. This change aims to make it easier for users to find and access settings by grouping related options in distinct sections.

Currently, the top-level settings page in Android 14 on Pixel phones lacks clear organization, making it hard for users, especially newcomers, to navigate. The new design for Android 15 will place similar settings next to each other, making the layout more intuitive. While this revamped layout isn’t available in the latest Android 15 Beta 3, we have a preview of how it might look.

Here’s a comparison of the top-level settings in Android 14 versus the planned arrangement for Android 15:

Android 14 Top-Level Settings Layout:

• Network & internet
• Hub mode (Pixel Tablet only)
• Connected devices
• Apps
• Notifications
• Battery
• Storage
• Sound & vibration
• Display
• Wallpaper & style
• Accessibility
• Security & privacy
• Location
• Safety & emergency
• Passwords, passkeys & autofill
• Digital Wellbeing & parental controls
• Google
• System
• About phone
• Tips & support

Android 15 Top-Level Settings Layout (Upcoming):

• Network & internet
• Connected devices
• Apps
• Notifications
• Sound & vibration
• Hub mode (Pixel Tablet only)
• Display
• Wallpaper & style
• Storage
• Battery
• System
• About phone
• Security & privacy
• Location
• Passwords, passkeys & accounts
• Safety & Emergency
• Accessibility
• Tips & support

Notably, the entries for “Google” and “Digital Wellbeing & parental controls” are missing from the upcoming layout. This isn’t because they are being removed but because they are managed differently. These settings use a special API to appear in the Settings app, so their exact placement in the new layout is uncertain. They might be listed under “Passwords, passkeys & accounts.”

The new layout also introduces sections to categorize settings more clearly, though there are no headers between these sections yet. Categories include Account, Connectivity, Personalize, System info, Security & privacy, and Support. The first “Account” section is currently empty, so its contents are still unknown.

Additional Changes in Android 15 Beta 3:

• The “Device & app notifications” setting has been renamed to “Notification read, reply & control.”
• “Screen turn-on control” has replaced “Turn screen on” under special app access.
• The description for “Allow camera software extensions” now mentions support for HDR, Night, and other camera features, but not “Eyes Free videography.”

This update signals that while some new features are being introduced, others might be delayed or adjusted.