Android 15’s default apps menu has a brand new setting

Abstract

  • Android 15 simplifies changing the wallet app’s default settings, making it easier to use for a better experience.
  • The new wallet app setting is mostly just a rebrand of the old one, but uses Android’s Roles API to query the default app more easily.
  • Enrollment in the Android Beta Program allows users to try out Android 15 features like this today, but caution is advised when using the device on a daily basis.



Since its inception, Android has always been an OS that is flexible and open to customization. While there are tons of surface-level changes that can be made, some core parts of Android have always been under lock and key to provide a secure environment to its users. While the ability to set default apps on Android has been around for a while, setting a default wallet is a different story.


Connected

Android 15 Beta 1 is here, but the details are still under wraps

Google wants us to stay tuned for new user-focused changes at Google I/O

On Android 14, you can choose which apps you want as your default browser, assistant, and other common functions Settings → Applications → Default applications — exactly where you’d expect to find these options. But changing the default mobile payment app isn’t as intuitive. Those options are buried deeppod, below Settings → Connected devices → Connection settings → NFC → Contactless payments → Default payment application.

Choosing a new default payment app on Android 14 is a tough ordeal


Fortunately, that all changes today with Google dropping the first beta of Android 15, which moves the setting to change the default payment app to a more logical home page Settings → Apps → Default apps → Wallet app. With this reorganization, the setting itself has been renamed from “Default payment app” to “Default wallet app,” perhaps as a sign of expanding the capabilities of apps like Google Wallet, which now supports loyalty cards, transit tickets, and other types of passes in addition to NFC payments.

Android 15 simplifies the default wallet app settings


Now you can try it with Android 15 beta

Android expert Mishaal Rahman did some digging for Android Headlines and discovered that the feature is inside the Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2.1 update, which was released a few weeks ago. And by turning it on, he was able to get an early peek at the new wallet and its settings. While it’s exciting to see a new feature come to life before release, by some luck or perhaps pure coincidence, the Android 15 beta has indeed made the feature a reality since it’s an active part of the current update.


Rahman shared the feature’s inclusion in Android 15 on Telegram, so instead of messing around with the code, beta users can now try it out for themselves. As for other changes, Rahman says there aren’t really that many when it comes to the surface level of the app itself, calling the new wallet app setting a rebranding of the old one. He notes that there is one small difference between the two, with the new Wallet app using Android’s Roles API, meaning that Wallet apps will now be able to ask you to set them as the default on first launch — all without touching the Settings app.

If you’re curious to try out this and other Android 15 features, you’ll need to install the beta version. Fortunately, this is a fairly simple process and only requires you to sign up for the Android Beta Program. Once signed in, your device will start downloading the latest beta version and you’ll be good to go. Plus, since this isn’t a developer beta, things should run pretty smoothly. That said, this is beta, so things can and will go wrong. So if you’re thinking about putting this on a device that’s used every day, just be careful.


Source link

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *