Google will improve the Pixel Launcher in Android 15

Google is preparing an update for the Pixel Launcher in Android 15, adding new animations and features to improve the user experience.

Here's What We Know

One of the key updates is a new home screen return animation, which is faster and more elastic, and better emphasises the wallpaper zoom effect.

In addition, Pixel Launcher improves widget recommendations in Android 15. In the current version, when you open the widget selector in Pixel Launcher, a random widget appears at the top of the page. The new recommendation system offers more options to choose from and also categorises recommendations by type, making it easier to find the right widget.

Another widget-related improvement in Android 15 is the addition of an "Add" button to the Pixel Launcher's widget selector. This button makes it easier to add a widget to your homescreen, as you no longer have to tap and hold and then drag the widget. Instead, you can simply tap "Add" and Pixel Launcher will automatically add the widget of your choice to the empty space on your homescreen.

Finally, Pixel Launcher on Android 15 brings changes to the recent apps screen. The changes are to the app menu on the Recent screen. In Android 14, this menu could be accessed by tapping and holding the app icon on the Recent screen(first photo below). Now in Android 15, a small submenu may appear at the top of each app on the Recent screen(second photo below). This sub-menu contains the app icon, name and a drop-down arrow when tapped which opens the aforementioned menu.

These Pixel Launcher settings are hidden and not available to most users. Whether Google will add all these updates to the final release can be revealed at the Android 15 presentation.

Source: Android Authority