When it comes to the version Android 6.x, many users of modern smartphones imagine outdated software that is installed on old devices. However, it was this version, codenamed Marshmallow (Marshmallow), that became a turning point in the history of Google's mobile operating system. It brought fundamental changes in the way applications interact with user data, and significantly improved the autonomy of gadgets.
The release took place at the end of 2015, but the impact of the technologies introduced in this version is still felt. In this article, we will analyze in detail the architectural features Android 6.0 and 6.0.1, explain why this system is still relevant for budget devices, and how to properly configure security settings if you use a smartphone on this platform.
The main goal of the update was not visual changes, but “under-the-hood” optimization. The developers focused on access rights, energy efficiency and support for biometric authentication at the system level. Understanding the principles of operation of this version will help you evaluate the evolution of the interface or correctly configure an outdated but working device.
Release history and key differences from its predecessors
Version Android 6.0 became a direct successor Lollipop (5.x), correcting many of the shortcomings of the previous build. If the five was about the visual style of Material Design, then the six was about functional stability. The first device to receive this OS out of the box was the flagship Google Nexus 6Pfollowed by models from Huawei, Sony and Samsung.
The main innovation was the application permission management system. Previously, the user had to agree to the entire list of rights when installing the app. Now rights are granted dynamically, the moment the application first accesses the function. This allowed users to better control their privacy.
⚠️ Attention: Some older applications developed before 2016 may not work correctly with the new permission system, requiring manual permissions to be enabled in the settings, otherwise they will crash on launch.
It is also worth noting the improvement in working with memory. The system has learned to unload background processes more aggressively, which has a positive effect on the speed of devices with a small amount of RAM. For many budget smartphones, the transition to Android 6.0.1 was the last major update that extended their life cycle.
Application permission system and privacy
The central element of security in Marshmallow was the Runtime Permissions model. This is a fundamental change in security architecture Android. Now access to the camera, microphone, contacts or geolocation is requested in a separate dialog box.
The user can revoke granted rights at any time without deleting the application itself. This is done through the settings menu, where each item is controlled separately. This flexibility allows you to prevent data leakage through dubious utilities that require excessive rights to operate.
Let's consider the main groups of permissions that appeared explicitly in this version:
- 📍 Geolocation: access to GPS and network location data.
- 📷 Camera: ability to take photos and record video.
- 🎤 Microphone: record sound in the background or during a call.
- 📞 Phone: access to the call list and network status.
- 📂 Storage: reading and writing files to the internal memory.
To manage these settings, you need to go to the Settings → Applicationssection. Here you will see a list of all installed apps. Selecting a specific application will open a screen with radio buttons for each access type. This gives you complete control over what is happening inside your system.
If an application stops working after updating to Android 6, go to the permissions settings and manually enable permission for “Storage” or “Phone”, since older apps do not know how to request it themselves.
Doze Mode technology and battery optimization
One of the most anticipated features was the introduction of the mode Doze (Nap). This technology is designed to significantly increase the battery life of a smartphone when not in use. The algorithm monitors the state of the device and puts it into deep sleep mode.
When the phone lies motionless on the table with the screen off and disconnected from charging, the system begins to limit the network activity of applications. Mail synchronization, news feed updates and background downloads are suspended until you pick up the device.
In a later version Android 6.0.1 the Doze mode has been improved. Now it was activated not only when the phone was lying on the table, but also in the user’s pocket if the screen was turned off for a certain time. This allowed us to save battery even in active use mode, just during periods of screen inactivity.
| Device status | Network activity | Background processes | Synchronization |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen on | Full | Active | Instant |
| Screen off (motion) | Limited | Frozen | Delayed |
| Rest (Doze active) | Blocked | Paused | Batch |
| Charging connected | Full | Active | Instant |
It is important to understand that the system makes exceptions for important notifications, such as incoming calls or messages from priority contacts. However, regular push notifications from games or news aggregators may arrive with a delay until the device wakes up from sleep mode.
Support for biometrics and fingerprint scanners
Prior to the release Android 6.0 smartphone manufacturers were forced to implement support for fingerprint scanners using their own methods. This led to the fact that applications had to integrate support for each vendor separately, which was inconvenient and unsafe.
The sixth version of Android introduced a single API for biometric authentication. Now application developers could use the standard system dialog to unlock or confirm payments. This made the technology accessible to banking applications and password managers on the mass market.
The fingerprint is configured through the menu Settings → Security → Fingerprint. The system allows you to register multiple fingers, which is convenient for unlocking a phone lying on a table or for left- and right-handed use. Fingerprint data is stored in a secure memory section and is not transmitted to the Internet.
Fingerprint storage security
Biometric data in Android 6.x is stored in an isolated TrustZone container (on supported processors). Even if you obtain root access, it is extremely difficult to extract the original fingerprint image, since the system stores only a mathematical hash, and not the image of the papillary lines itself.
In addition to unlocking the screen, the fingerprint began to be used to confirm purchases in Google Play and authorization in third-party services. This significantly simplified the user experience, eliminating the need to constantly enter long passwords or PIN codes.
Google Now on Tap function and contextual search
Another interesting innovation was the Now on Tapfunction. It allowed you to get contextual information about what was happening on the screen at the moment, without having to switch between applications. It was enough to press the "Home" button for a long time.
The system analyzed the contents of the screen. If you read an article about a movie, Now on Tap offered links to IMDb, trailers, or showtimes. If the message mentioned a meeting location, the system immediately showed a map and directions to that point.
Although this feature subsequently evolved and was partially replaced by other Google services, within Android 6.x it worked as a powerful productivity tool. It required a constant Internet connection, since text analysis took place on the company's servers.
⚠️ Attention: The Now on Tap feature consumes additional traffic and may transmit data about what applications and content you view to Google servers for analysis.
To activate the function, you had to go to Google settings and turn on the corresponding switch. After that, on any screen, long pressing the navigation button brought up a lower panel with cards of useful information. This was the first step towards the introduction of artificial intelligence into the user’s everyday tasks.
Working with memory and SD card format
In the version Marshmallow the approach to working with external drives has changed. It is now possible to format an SD card as internal memory (Adoptable Storage). This made it possible to combine the space of the card and the built-in drive into a single logical volume.
With this formatting, the card was encrypted and tied to a specific device. It became impossible to move it to another phone and read the data without completely resetting the card. This increased data security, but made it difficult to transfer files between devices.
If portable storage mode was selected, the card worked like a regular removable drive. However, the system has learned to smarterly transfer applications to the SD card, allowing you to store there not only media files, but also some of the data from heavy games and apps.
☑️ Checking the memory status
It is worth noting that not all smartphone manufacturers supported the Adoptable Storage function. Many vendors, such as Samsung and LG, disabled this feature in their shells, fearing that users would use slow memory cards, which would lead to slowdowns of the entire system.
Frequent problems and ways to solve them
Despite the stability, users Android 6.0 often faced specific problems. One of the most common was the error “Google Play Services has stopped.” It often occurred after resetting settings or unsuccessfully updating applications.
There were also problems with Wi-Fi when the connection was constantly lost in sleep mode. This was due to the aggressive operation of energy-saving algorithms. The solution was usually to disable battery optimization for specific network services.
To diagnose and solve problems, you can use the following actions:
- 🔄 Clear cache: Go to
Settings → Memory → Cacheand clear temporary file data. - 🛠 Reset preferences: In the application menu, select reset all apps (does not delete data).
- 📡 Airplane mode: Turn airplane mode on and off to reboot network modules.
If the device starts to work slowly, it is recommended to check the startup list and disable unnecessary services. The sixth version of Android does not have a built-in startup manager, so you will have to use third-party utilities or disable applications manually through the settings.
Most problems in Android 6.x can be solved by clearing the Google Play services cache or updating the Android System WebView system component through the app store.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to officially update Android 6.0 to a newer version?
It depends on the manufacturer of your smartphone. If the device was a flagship in 2015-2016, it could have received an update to Android 7 or 8. Budget models most often remained on version 6.0.1 forever. You can check for updates in the menu Settings → About phone → Software update.
Why are applications not installed on Android 6?
Modern applications require newer versions of the API, which are not available in Marshmallow. In addition, there may be insufficient RAM. Try to find old versions of applications (APK) on third-party resources that are compatible with Android 6.0.
Is it safe to use banking applications on this version?
Using an outdated OS carries security risks, since it no longer receives vulnerability updates. Many banking apps have already stopped supporting Android 6. If the app works, use it with caution and do not store large amounts of money in your account.
How to get the app menu button back if it's missing?
In Android 6.0, the app drawer was hidden by default on some devices (like iOS). To get it back, go to Settings → Home screen and select the option to display the "All applications" button or change the launcher to a third-party one.
What to do if the phone charges very slowly?
Check the cable and power supply. Android 6 introduces support for QC 2.0/3.0 fast charging, but only when using original accessories. Also, the Doze mode can affect the charge indication; sometimes calibrating the battery through full discharge and charge cycles helped.