What to Know:

  • Android 15 now supports the IEEE 802.11az Wi-Fi Ranging protocol for precise indoor tracking, achieving accuracy within one meter.
  • This upgrade drastically improves upon older Wi-Fi positioning methods, reducing the accuracy range from 10-15 meters down to about 0.4 meters.
  • For Wi-Fi Ranging to work, devices must have compatible hardware, and Wi-Fi access points need firmware updates.

Android 15 introduces Wi-Fi Ranging, a feature that enables precise indoor location tracking. This technology improves location accuracy within buildings like shopping centers, where GPS is typically unreliable.

According to Android Authority, Wi-Fi Ranging can pinpoint a device’s location to within less than one meter (about 40 inches), a major improvement over older Wi-Fi methods, which had a range of 10-15 meters.

Wi-Fi Ranging works using the 6GHz band and a process called Fine Timing Measurement (FTM), which helps determine exact locations. This could be useful for navigation within large stores or triggering smart home functions based on room presence.

However, this feature requires specific hardware: most current Android phones aren’t compatible yet, but upcoming models with Qualcomm’s FastConnect 7900 chip will support it. Additionally, existing Wi-Fi access points will need updates to support the 802.11az standard.

If Wi-Fi Ranging isn’t available, Android 15 can fall back on a less accurate but more widely compatible location system called RTT (Android Source). This helps maintain location functionality across various settings.