Apple introduced iOS 15 and highlighted some of its best features at WWDC 2021 earlier last month. It wasn’t a complete overhaul, but Apple added meaningful changes to iOS 15 like new FaceTime features, Safari redesign, and more. The Cupertino giant has recently rolled out the iOS 15 public beta, giving enthusiasts a chance to try out new features. While most iOS 15 features are about tight integration with other Apple apps, here are the ones you can replicate on your Android phone. Here is a hands-on guide to get iOS 15 features on Android now.
Get iOS 15 Features on Android (2021)
As you may be aware by now, Android users got most of the iOS 15 features through different apps in one way or another. In this article, we will gather all the apps you can use to get the new features that Apple has added to the iOS 15 update on Android. That said, let’s start with the list!
1. Live Text Alternative – Google Lens
Live Text is undoubtedly the most exciting feature introduced in iOS 15. recognizes text in photos and allows users to copy it to clipboard, drag and drop between apps and more. In addition, Live Text makes it easy for users to call from phone numbers, navigate to an address via Apple Maps, and more using pictures. Apple has also added image search to Spotlight search on iPhones. You can see how Live Text works and learn how to use it through the linked article.
If you are using Android, most of these features are available through Google Lens. If your device does not come with Google Lens, you can download the special Lens application from the Play Store. You’ll also find Google Lens integration in the built-in camera app on OnePlus devices. If you want to know how Live Text compares to Google Lens, go ahead and read our comprehensive comparison.
download Google Lens from Play Store
2. Focus Mode Alternative – Digital Balance
With iOS 15, Apple added a new Focus mode feature that helps users disconnect from their iPhone by turning off notifications from distracting apps. You can also set profiles for scheduling the work profile and set rules for focus mode, just like OnePlus’ work-life balance.
On the Android side of things, you can: use Google’s Digital Balance app to access focus mode. You’ll find the Digital Balance controls at: Settings -> Digital Balance and parental controls your phone.
For step-by-step instructions, we have a dedicated article that helps you use focus mode on Android. If you’re looking for third-party apps with granular controls, check out our list of best apps to focus on work. Also if you have an iPhone you can learn how to use Focus mode in iOS 15 and make custom Focus modes using the linked article.
download Digital Balance from Play Store
3. Statement Summary – Daywise, Post Box, BuzzKill
Notification Summary in iOS 15 groups notifications and delivers them at a time you choose. You can follow our linked guide to enable or disable Notification Summary in iOS 15, but there are apps on Android that bring similar functionality. We’ve selected three apps that offer a notification summary at certain times of the day, and you can use one of them:
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daytime
Daywise is a popular app for scheduling notifications on Android. During the installation process, you can select the applications you want to receive instant notifications and the applications you want to receive bulk notifications. Schedule the time to receive your bulk notifications and you’re ready. You’ll see all pending notifications from apps in the bulk notifications category at a time you choose.
Besides these features, Daywise also offers a social media timer to keep track of your phone usage and time spent on social media apps.
The app is available as a free trial for two weeks. After the trial period, you can get a monthly subscription of $3.99 (or Rs. 200), an annual subscription of $23.99 (or Rs. 1200) or $29.99 (or Rs. 1,499).
download Daywise from Play Store (Paid, with in-app purchases starting at $3.99)
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Mail box
If you find Daywise expensive, Check out Post Box, a Digital Balance trial app from Google. It offers similar features and is available for free. Install the app, choose how often you prefer to receive notifications, that’s it. If you want to check the notifications before your scheduled delivery time, tap on it. ‘I need to see my notifications now’ option in the app.
When you choose to see notifications immediately, Postbox will show you the number of notifications and buttons to dismiss them immediately or open the target app. If all this sounds interesting to you, give Mailbox a try now!
download Mailbox from Play Store (Free)
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BuzzKill
BuzzKill is a powerful app to customize your notification experience with rules. In this scenario, you can: select all distracting apps and set a new rule to snooze notifications during your working hours. You can also set cooldown timers to avoid repeated notifications from the same app.
download BuzzKill from Play Store (Paid, in-app purchases from $2.49)
4. Apple Photos Memories Alternative – Google Photos Memories
Taking a page out of Google’s bedside book, Apple added a memories feature to the native Photos app in iOS 15. If you want to see memories of your past trips and special moments on your Android device, Google Photos is your best bet. However, if you are planning to switch to Google Photos, be sure to read our guide on importing iCloud Photos to Google Photos.
download Google Photos from Play Store (Free)
5. Use Hide My Email on Android – Firefox Relay or SimpleLogin
Hide My Email is a new feature that allows iOS 15 users to create email aliases if they upgrade to iCloud+ subscription plan. This feature helps you protect your personal email address and register for online services using aliases. All emails sent to the alias email address are automatically forwarded to your linked email address. You can choose to delete an alias at any time and stop receiving email from an app or service. Here is a brief explanation of what Hide My Email is in iOS 15 and how to use it.
If you want the same feature on your Android device, you can: Use Firefox Relay or SimpleLogin. Since Firefox Relay isn’t an Android app, you’ll need to copy the email aliases and pin them to your keyboard’s clipboard for quick access. You can also consider SimpleLogin to start actively using this feature. We wrote a dedicated guide on how to get iCloud’s Hide My Email feature on Android and Windows, and you can check it out for detailed instructions.
6. SharePlay – Spotify Group Session to Listen to Music with Your Friends
A great feature of iOS 15 is the deeper SharePlay integration for watching movies or listening to music with friends over FaceTime. You can’t legally stream movies with your friends from any video streaming service on Android, but you can host listening parties on Spotify or Discord.
If you’re a Spotify Premium subscriber, you can check out Spotify’s Group Sessions feature. Also, after connecting your Spotify account to Discord, you can host a Spotify listening party on Discord. Just follow the step-by-step process in the linked articles to get started. You can also check out the best Discord music bots for listening to music together while talking to your friends on an audio channel.
download Spotify
7. Apple Maps AR Navigation – Google Maps
As announced at WWDC 2021, Apple Maps is finally adding AR navigation support with iOS 15. Specifically, Google Maps has had AR navigation since 2019 and the best part is, Use on ARCore supported iPhones right now. However, availability will vary depending on your region. You can also use Google Maps for other new Apple Maps features, including a 3D view, detailed transit information, and more.
8. Built-in Authenticator in iOS 15 – Authy
Starting with iOS 15, Apple added a built-in authenticator to generate verification codes for easy two-factor authentication on your favorite apps. Even if you don’t have an authentication service built into Android, you can always use a popular 2FA app like Authy, Google Authenticator, or Microsoft Authenticator. The authentication app I would recommend is Authy primarily because of its seamless multi-device support.
download Authy from Play Store
9. FaceTime on Android
Finally, you can now get FaceTime on Android. Yes, you heard right. If you’ve been waiting to FaceTime with your iPhone friends from your Android device, it’s now possible. You can install a FaceTime app icon on your home screen and review the steps on how to use FaceTime on Android via the linked article.
If that sounds like a chore, you can always rely on popular video conferencing apps like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams. They also have the background blur feature added to FaceTime in iOS 15.
Try iOS 15 Features on Your Android Phone
Thus, you can get the best iOS 15 features on your Android phone right now. I know all of this may not be as seamless as Apple has implemented, but these are the closest alternatives we can come up with. In the meantime, check out our articles on the best Android 12 features and how to get Android 12 features on any Android phone to find out what Google has in store for Android users.
