The arrival of Android 6.0 Marshmallow It was a significant step forward for the Android ecosystem. While it did not represent an aesthetic break from Android Lollipop 5, its main focus was on improving the user experience, security, performance, and system control. Google opted for a "smart" and functional update, including numerous new features in permission management, power management, integration of new APIs, and features designed for end users, developers, and businesses alike.
What's new in Android 6.0 Marshmallow: what you need to know
Granular permissions and security: complete control for the user
One of the most revolutionary changes introduced with Android 6.0 Marshmallow was the new permit management systemStarting with this version, users can easily and individually decide which permissions to grant to each app and when. This opt-in model eliminates the requirement to accept all permissions when installing an app, offering greater privacy and transparency.
- Organization into categories: Permissions are grouped into intuitive categories: location, camera, microphone, contacts, phone, SMS, calendar and sensors.
- Real-time requests: Apps request permissions exactly when they need them, and the user can grant or deny them instantly, or even revoke them later from Settings.
- Greater control and security: This system limits unnecessary app access to sensitive information, avoiding privacy risks and abuse.
- Only apps developed for Marshmallow (API 23) or higher can fully take advantage of the new permissions system. Older apps continue to operate under the previous model.
Biometric authentication and fingerprint reader support
Android 6.0 Marshmallow includes native support for fingerprint readersThis enhances security, allows you to unlock your device, authenticate payments on Google Play, or use mobile payment services like Android Pay. It also gives developers the ability to incorporate biometric authentication into their own apps using a standardized API. Support facilitates:
- Fast and secure phone unlocking.
- Confirmation of financial transactions.
- Authentication in third-party applications.
Android Pay: Secure and easy mobile payments
In line with the international trend, Google introduced Android Pay, its official mobile payment system. The implementation stands out for:
- Advanced Security: During the transaction, your actual card number is never shared; instead, a virtual account number is used.
- Biometric authentication: You can require a fingerprint to authorize payments, thus strengthening security.
- Support for thousands of merchants in select markets, advancing the global adoption of mobile payments.
Web experience improvements and app links
Web browsing on Android 6.0 Marshmallow is made smoother and more efficient thanks to:
- Chrome Custom Tabs: Apps can open their own built-in browsers that retain your sessions, passwords, and preferences, providing a unified experience with the Chrome browser.
- Smart Link Management (App Links)If you receive a link from Twitter or Facebook, the system automatically detects the corresponding app and opens the content there, avoiding awkward switches and asking fewer questions from the user.
- Greater integration between applications and websites, facilitating access to relevant information without additional steps.
Optimized performance, RAM and fluidity
Marshmallow introduce significant improvements in RAM management and overall system performance. Highlights include:
- Smarter memory management to keep important applications open and prevent unexpected shutdowns.
- Detailed monitoring of RAM usage by application, accessible from advanced settings.
- Optimizations that reduce background resource consumption, helping the system run faster and more efficiently on devices with varying specifications.
Doze and App Standby: A leap in autonomy and energy efficiency
One of the biggest challenges facing modern smartphones is battery life. With Marshmallow, Google introduces Pickups y Standby App:
- Pickups: The system identifies when the device is not in use (for example, overnight) and minimizes background activity. Unnecessary syncs, updates, and connections are stopped, but alarms and priority functions remain active, achieving significant increases in battery life.
- Standby App: Applications that are not actively used by the user enter a low-power mode, limiting their network access and background tasks until they are used again.
- These functions, combined with the optimization of RAM and process management, even allowing you to double the autonomy in some Nexus models.
Furthermore, Android 6 M supports the USB 3.1 Type C standard, allowing bi-directional charging (you can use your device to charge another), higher transfer speeds, and less time connected to the charger.
Native support for microSD cards and external storage
Android 6.0 includes Native support for microSD cards as internal storage. This means:
- You can format your microSD from the system itself to use it as if it were a real extension of the internal memory.
- It allows you to install applications directly onto the card and store user data, photos, videos, and multimedia files without any complications.
- Flexibility to expand storage capacity on compatible devices without relying on proprietary vendor implementations.
Advanced management of default apps and verified links
With Marshmallow, you can designate default apps to open web links, make calls, send text messages, and more, from a new menu in Settings. The system recognizes links associated with verified apps and opens the content without displaying unnecessary dialog boxes. This:
- Minimize confusion when sharing content between apps.
- Streamlines interaction and navigation within the Android ecosystem.
Renewed interface and visual experience
While Material Design remains the aesthetic foundation, Android 6.0 Marshmallow adds subtle visual improvements and new customization options:
- Vertical app drawer: It replaces horizontal scrolling, allowing faster access to the app list, with an integrated search engine and recent apps section.
- Better organized widgets: Vertical listing, grouped by application, with integrated preview.
- Dark theme for settings: Especially useful for low-light or night-time environments, it helps reduce eye strain and screen consumption.
- Smoother animations and optimized transitions.
Improved volume controls and Do Not Disturb profile
Following criticism of Lollipop's audio handling, Marshmallow restores the traditional silent mode and expands the volume control options:
- Separation of tone volume, multimedia and alarms, accessible from the expandable panel.
- "Do not disturb" mode: Now accessible from Quick Settings, it allows you to customize automatic rules (by schedule or events) and define priority notifications.
- Automation Options: You can set when and how different sound profiles are activated.
Redesigned text selection and floating toolbar
Text selection becomes much more intuitive. When you select text anywhere in the system, a floating toolbar with quick actions (cut, copy, paste, select all). Interaction is smoother and makes it easier to work with productivity apps, messaging, and web browsing.
Now on Tap: Smart Contextual Search
One of the most advanced features of Marshmallow is Now on Tap, an extension of the Google Now assistant. It allows you to perform instant, contextual searches on any screen, simply by holding down the Home button:
- Detects relevant keywords and entities on screen (restaurants, movies, addresses) and displays information cards and related actions.
- Make it easy to activate calls, reservations, location tracking, or play content without leaving the active app.
- It works across apps, websites, messaging, and email, significantly increasing productivity and access to contextual information.
Updates to notifications and quick action bar
Pop-up notifications can be further customized, with the ability to disable specific notifications and improve the visibility of relevant information. The Quick Settings system can be customized using the UI Tuner, allowing you to:
- Add, remove, or reorder shortcuts.
- Enable hidden experimental features for advanced users.
Expanded storage and USB management
The function of native support for USB stick It allows you to connect and manage USB flash drives or external hard drives directly from your Android device, allowing you to use it as media storage or even as internal storage. This is especially useful on Android TV, tablets, and smartphones with OTG support.
Other technical improvements and advanced details
- Optimizing Bluetooth and Wi-Fi: Automatic search for Bluetooth devices to improve location, even if Bluetooth is disabled (option that can be disabled by the user).
- Network Settings Reset: New option in Settings to easily restore Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and APN to factory settings.
- Removal and API changes: Apache HTTP Client support is being dropped; HttpURLConnection is recommended. Android is migrating from OpenSSL to BoringSSL, improving security.
- Limited access to hardware identifiers to protect privacy.
- Expanded support for Bluetooth 4.2, voice services integration, and network protocol optimization.
Direct Share: Share content faster
With the function Direct Share, the sharing option now displays not only apps but also frequently used contacts directly, allowing you to share files, photos, and links in fewer steps and more intuitively.
Enterprise Support and Android for Work
Marshmallow strengthens its capabilities for corporate and enterprise environments. Android for Work It introduces new policies for device management, support for work profiles, feature restrictions for administrators, and separation of corporate and personal data.
- Advanced management of security restrictions, cameras, screen lock, and work contact management.
- Automatically delete Wi-Fi settings and policies when deleting a work profile.
- Greater control over data sharing between profiles and devices.
Additional features and Easter eggs
- Improvements to the visual voice answering system, allowing voice messages to be received as text (depending on operators).
- Support for 5GHz Wi-Fi hotspots and advanced access point management.
- New hidden Easter egg: a “marshmallow”-based minigame accessible from the Android version settings.
Android 6.0 Marshmallow availability and update process
Just because Android 6.0 has been officially released doesn't mean all devices will receive it immediately. Generally, models Nexus and Google flagship devices are the first to receive the update. For other smartphone and tablet manufacturers, it may take several months for updates to become available, depending on each brand's policies and the customizations they incorporate. The update is usually released progressively via OTA (Over The Air) and requires some patience until it spreads to the entire ecosystem.
- Early preview versions were made available to developers, allowing them to report bugs and optimize applications before public deployment.
- It's recommended to check your manufacturer's official support pages to confirm compatibility and update schedules.
Compatibility and supported devices
Android 6.0 Marshmallow is designed to run on smartphones and tablets with relatively modern hardware. However, availability varies by manufacturer and model. Google itself confirmed the update for the latest Nexus devices at the time of release, with the update gradually rolling out to other ranges.
- The most popular high-end and mid-range models received the update, although some older devices remained on previous versions.
- Support for new features, such as a fingerprint sensor or microSD card management as internal storage, may depend on the device's hardware capabilities.
What impact has Android 6.0 Marshmallow had on the evolution of Android?
Marshmallow laid the groundwork for subsequent advancements in the operating system. Many of its improvements—such as granular permissions, biometric authentication, advanced power management, and expanded storage—have become fundamental elements in future iterations of Android.
The bet for security, personalization and user experience cemented Android's reputation as a flexible and powerful system. Furthermore, the focus on the real needs of users and openness to community suggestions have allowed for continuous evolution of the system, adapting to current technological demands.
Android 6.0 Marshmallow FAQ
- Is it safe to update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow?
Yes, the update improves overall system security, offers better privacy controls, and adds built-in biometric authentication. - Will my device support all features?
Some features, such as fingerprint sensor support or USB-C charging, are hardware-dependent. See your device's documentation for details. - Can I revert the update if I don't like it?
It's usually not easy to revert to a previous version without losing data or rooting your phone, so it's a good idea to do your research before upgrading. - Do all apps change with Marshmallow?
Many apps have adapted to the new permissions and resource management system, but those that haven't updated can still operate under the previous version model.
Additional Links and Resources for Android 6.0 Marshmallow
- Official Android documentation for developers
- Official Android 6.0 News Page
- Wikipedia:Android Marshmallow
- Compatible Android phones