Right here’s what you’ll want to know

Shock! Google is releasing the primary developer preview of Android 16 as we speak in order that app builders can take a look at the brand new APIs and habits modifications that’ll arrive in subsequent yr’s huge replace. Android 16 Developer Preview 1 goes stay with new options like an embedded picture picker, medical file assist, and an up to date Privateness Sandbox. Right here’s every thing you’ll want to know.

When will Google launch Android 16?

Initially, it’d shock you to listen to that Google is releasing Android 16 DP1 as we speak. In spite of everything, the primary developer preview of Android 15 launched in February 2024. February can also be when Google launched the primary developer previews of the final 4 main Android releases, making November fairly early for the primary preview of the subsequent main Android launch.

Nonetheless, Google introduced on the finish of final month that it’s accelerating Android’s launch schedule. The corporate confirmed it plans to launch Android 16 someday in Q2 of 2025. One leak factors in direction of a June 3, 2025, launch date for Android 16, however that hasn’t been confirmed but.

What we do know is the final launch schedule for Android 16, which incorporates two developer previews and 4 betas which might be anticipated to roll out as follows:

Android 16 Beta 3 in March 2025 will mark the working system’s Platform Stability milestone. When Android 16 reaches Platform Stability, Google assures that subsequent updates to Android 16 received’t change any present APIs, add new APIs, or modify app-facing system behaviors. The Platform Stability milestone can also be when builders will probably be allowed to launch updates to their apps on Google Play to make them goal Android 16. For reference, Android 15 reached its Platform Stability milestone with its third beta in June 2024, so once more, Android 16 will probably be prepared for customers and builders a lot sooner than normal.

What’s new in Android 16 Developer Preview 1?

There are 4 noteworthy modifications in Android 16 Developer Preview 1, although solely two of them are considerably related to customers. These embody a brand new embedded picture picker expertise, medical file assist within the Well being Join app, an up to date model of the Privateness Sandbox on Android, and a brand new fixed to distinguish Android 16 from the upcoming This autumn minor launch.

Embedded picture picker

The brand new embedded picture picker in Android 16 will hopefully clear up a long-standing problem with the picture picker, specifically that it isn’t utilized by many apps. The picture picker, in case you aren’t conscious, was launched in Android 13 as a privacy-preserving method for apps to request entry to pick photos and movies in your telephone’s gallery. Sadly, not many apps assist the picture picker, although which may change as Google is beginning to crack down on apps that unnecessarily entry your media library, pushing them emigrate to the picture picker.

What Android’s present, standalone picture picker expertise appears to be like like

One motive that many apps haven’t adopted the picture picker but is that it will probably’t be built-in instantly into them. As an alternative, when an app invokes the picture picker, it’s proven in a separate panel that pops up over the display. With Android 16, nevertheless, builders can leverage new APIs to embed the picture picker, making it really feel like a extra built-in a part of the app while sustaining the privacy-preserving advantages of the expertise. Builders enthusiastic about embedding the picture picker ought to look ahead to Google to launch a brand new Android Jetpack library in order that they don’t have to fret about compatibility points throughout Android variations.

Medical information in Well being Join

The Well being Join app is getting an enormous improve in Android 16. Within the Android 16 launch, Well being Join will let apps learn and write medical information in FHIR (Quick Healthcare Interoperability Assets) format. FHIR is an information customary that permits digital well being information (EHR) to trade medical information with each other; you’ll be able to mainly consider it because the Well being Join of medical information.

The present model of Well being Join solely helps well being and health knowledge.

Google says apps will want specific consumer consent to learn and write medical information saved in Well being Join. The APIs to take action are presently obtainable in an early entry program.

Privateness Sandbox on Android

With Android 16, Google is constant its work to overtake how Android apps promote to customers in a privacy-preserving method. Google didn’t share how the Privateness Sandbox on Android module has really modified in Android 16, solely that the replace “incorporates the newest model” of the module, so we’ll have to attend and see if there’s something really attention-grabbing in it.

A brand new API to distinguish minor releases

Apps have lengthy been capable of inform what model of Android they’re operating on by checking the SDK_INT fixed, which within the case of Android 16 will probably be “36” on launch. (It’s “BAKLAVA” till the Platform Stability milestone.)

Since Google will launch new APIs within the upcoming This autumn minor launch of Android, apps want a straightforward solution to inform when these APIs can be found to make use of. To try this, apps want a solution to differentiate gadgets which might be operating Android 16 and regardless of the This autumn 2025 launch of Android will probably be known as. That’s why Google is introducing a brand new SDK_INT_FULL fixed that may be in contrast in opposition to the brand new VERSION_CODES_FULL enumeration to verify whether or not the machine is operating a significant or minor model of Android.

Alternatively, builders can use the Construct.getMinorSdkVersion() methodology to retrieve the minor SDK model, which for Android 16 will simply be “0” whereas for the This autumn 2025 launch will probably be “1.”

Android 16 is … Baklava?

By the way in which, in case you’re questioning what Android 16’s dessert-themed codename is, it’s Baklava. Contemplating the codenames for Android 11 via 15 are Pink Velvet Cake, Snow Cone, Tiramisu, Upside Down Cake, and Vanilla Ice Cream respectively, you may assume it’s odd for Google to circle again round on the alphabet and select a dessert that begins with the letter ‘B’. The reason being associated to a little bit identified undertaking inside Google known as “Android trunk steady,” as defined by Seang Chau, VP and GM of the Android Platform.

And that’s it. Android 16 Developer Preview 1 doesn’t have loads of high-profile new options as a result of it’s solely the primary preview and meant for app builders. We’ll in all probability see extra flashy new options in Android 16 Beta 1 and past, as that’s when Google desires common customers to strive the replace.

Easy methods to set up the Android 16 developer preview

The Android 16 developer preview will not be supposed to be put in by common customers, which is why Google isn’t making an replace obtainable via the Android Beta program. As an alternative, you’ll must manually set up Android 16 Developer Preview 1 on a appropriate Pixel machine. Thankfully, Google makes it fairly straightforward to manually set up Google Pixel updates via its Flash Instrument, so if you’ll want to set up DP1 in your Pixel machine, you shouldn’t battle to take action.

A phrase of warning, although: Simply because you’ll be able to set up Android 16 DP1 in your machine doesn’t imply you must. Developer preview builds aren’t thought-about steady (duh), however in contrast to beta builds, they aren’t examined practically as totally by Google earlier than launch. Which means loads of your favourite apps or options may break as they haven’t been constructed for the newest model but.

Moreover, in case you’re presently operating Android 15 QPR2 Beta 1 in your Pixel machine and need to strive Android 16 Developer Preview 1 with out wiping your knowledge, you are out of luck. It’s because Android 15 QPR2 Beta 1 is technically a more recent construct than Android 16 DP1, so you’ll be able to’t set up Android 16 DP1 on prime of it with out wiping your machine. Google recommends that you just keep away from putting in the upcoming Android 15 QPR2 Beta 2 launch if you wish to transition to Android 16 DP2 with out wiping your machine.

In the event you’re conscious of those caveats and need to proceed with putting in Android 16 DP1 in your Pixel machine in any case, then you are able to do so by clicking one of many following hyperlinks in your PC:

These hyperlinks will open the Android Flash Instrument web page for putting in Android 16 DP1, although be aware that they may take some time to turn into lively — within the meantime, you’ll be able to manually obtain the manufacturing unit photos.

As soon as Android Flash Instrument is loaded up, you’ll be prompted to put in the Android USB driver in case your PC doesn’t have already got it. You’ll then have to observe some steps to arrange ADB entry in your telephone so the Android Flash Instrument can talk with it. Then, simply join your machine to your PC, choose it from the machine record, and you have to be good to go.

Earlier than you click on “set up construct,” although, be sure you click on the pencil to edit the set up choices. In the event you don’t need to wipe your machine, uncheck “wipe machine,” however remember that you will have to carry out a full reset in case you’re flashing on prime of Android 15 QPR2. In the event you don’t need the software to lock the bootloader, then uncheck “lock bootloader.” In the event you’re going to put in an unstable construct like Android 16 DP1, although, I like to recommend unlocking the bootloader so you’ll be able to extra simply get well from future flashing errors. As soon as the Android 16 Beta program kicks off subsequent yr, although, you’ll be able to safely lock the bootloader utilizing the software.

After you manually set up the primary Android 16 developer preview, you’ll routinely get future Android 16 updates over-the-air, together with the subsequent developer preview and future betas.

Lastly, in case you don’t have a appropriate Pixel machine to put in Android 16 DP1 on, then you’ll be able to nonetheless strive it out via the Android Emulator in Android Studio. Google recommends putting in its newest Android Studio characteristic drop launch (model Ladybug) for the very best improvement expertise.