Google switched issues up with Android 15 when it determined to decouple the platform replace from the Pixel 9 collection. That call gave each the software program and {hardware} their very own respiration room and unbiased timelines. With the official steady Android 15 replace now out for the Pixel lineup, it’s time to stay up for what Google is cooking up for Android 16. Right here’s what we find out about Android 16 and the options we count on to see within the upcoming replace in 2025.

Android 16: Identify

Google used to call Android variations with dessert codenames, but it surely strayed away from that custom with the discharge of Android 10, selecting to stay with solely the model quantity for all future releases. Consequently, Android 16 shall be recognized merely as “Android 16,” with no dessert codename formally used.

Nonetheless, Google nonetheless makes use of the dessert codename internally. Android 16’s inside codename leaked lately as Baklava. That is attention-grabbing as a result of Android 15’s codename was Vanilla Ice Cream, so that you’d assume Android 16 could be referred to as one thing that begins with a “W” (“Waffle” would have been a great one). So why did Google leap from “V” all the best way again to “B?” It’s a bit sophisticated, but it surely primarily entails massive adjustments to Android’s backend.

Android 16 launch timeline

Google has confirmed that Android 16 is coming sooner than ordinary, corroborating our launch date leak. The corporate has formally introduced that the following main launch of Android will launch in Q2 2025. This pertains to Android 16, indicating we might see a launch in April, Could, or June 2025.

Additional, the corporate has additionally talked about its intentions of releasing extra minor updates to the Android OS. For this, Google has deliberate a minor launch in This autumn 2024, i.e., for Android 16, presumably taking the form of Android 16 QPR2.

Google has additionally talked about that it’ll “quickly start the developer preview and beta program for the Q2 main launch”

It is a stark departure from Android’s historical past, as Google often releases main variations of Android in Q3 or This autumn of every 12 months. However there was nothing forcing Google to observe this timeline — the corporate was merely following a launch cadence it had settled in over greater than a decade.

Whereas Google has not but shared any particulars about Android 16, we are able to begin portray an image of what we’ll get with the following replace, due to Google’s QPR updates.

Google’s QPR updates and what they inform us about future Android releases

The Android platform follows an annual launch schedule, which OEMs and the world at massive have entry to. Google additionally follows a second public launch schedule for its Pixel gadgets within the type of QPR updates. QPR refers to Quarterly Platform Launch, which is an replace monitor the place updates are launched as soon as each three months (quarter). So, we usually get an annual Android platform replace on Pixels, adopted by three QPR releases, after which the following annual Android platform replace.

Whereas the options included within the Android platform replace are ultimate and accessible to the world, options launched within the QPR updates can be found to Pixel gadgets till the following Android platform replace incorporates them. Additional, Google additionally runs a separate beta program for the QPRs months prematurely.

This offers us conditions the place we are able to check out new options which are coming to Android 16 (by checking them out in Android 15 QPR1 betas) earlier than the steady Android 15 replace is even launched! Additional QPR betas give us much more options that may be chalked to the following platform launch.

Consequently, we’ve a listing of options which are coming to imminent Android 15 QPR releases for Pixel gadgets, that are additionally more likely to be added to the following Android platform replace, Android 16. Let’s examine them out!

Desktop windowing

We’ve talked about desktop windowing earlier than as a leak, however Google formally launched the function in Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 for the Pixel Pill. Google’s announcement doesn’t point out the discharge timeline, however we count on to see the function within the wider Android 16 launch.

Desktop windowing permits customers to run a number of apps concurrently and resize app home windows, similar to we’re used to doing on standard desktops.

Google has fastened the taskbar’s place to the underside of the display screen. It may possibly now present working apps and apps pinned by the consumer. There’s additionally a brand new header bar, which homes window controls.

Along with the introduced function, there’s a new hidden toggle known as Allow desktop mode on secondary show, which replaces the outdated Power desktop mode toggle.

Redesigned Settings homepage

Android 15 Beta 3 included clues for a redesigned Settings homepage, however the adjustments didn’t go dwell in later betas. The brand new settings structure did go dwell in Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2, indicating that it’s probably on monitor for an Android 16 launch.

On the left is an instance of how the top-level web page seems to be on Android 14 and the correct picture reveals the brand new structure in Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2.

Wealthy Ongoing Notifications

As we discovered from clues inside Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3, Android 16 might introduce Wealthy Ongoing Notifications, a brand new API that lets apps present extra than simply an icon within the standing bar. The API will let apps create chips with their very own textual content and background shade that dwell within the standing bar, type of like the brand new display screen recording chips (talked about within the later components of this text). It’s probably that tapping these chips will open some type of dialog offered by the app that reveals extra details about the continuing notification.

For instance, right here’s a gallery that reveals what the Wealthy Ongoing Notifications API may very well be used for in Android 16, utilizing mock notifications for varied apps like Uber, the United Airways app, and the Clock.

The function seems impressed by iOS’s Dynamic Island, but it surely predates the function. Android 12 added an API that lets dialer apps present the period of an ongoing name in a standing bar chip a full 12 months earlier than Apple launched its Dynamic Island function. Android 16 opening up standing bar chips to all apps could be a serious growth of the function.

Blocking outdated notifications

Individuals who personal and use a number of Android gadgets can relate to the notification flood that arrives at any time when they boot up the much less regularly used gadget. Proper at boot, after the gadget establishes its web connection, you’ll obtain all notifications that weren’t delivered to this gadget, even in case you have checked out the notifications out of your different gadget.

Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 modified the best way Android handles these older notifications. The system now rejects notifications which are greater than two weeks outdated. These older notifications will solely present some particulars to let which apps or contacts to inspect, however they’ll not warn you with a sound or vibration, and even present the complete notification contents.

Compact heads-up notifications

If you’re bothered by simply how massive the heads-up notifications will be when watching full-screen content material, then Google is engaged on an answer. We noticed clues for compact heads-up notifications in Android 15 Beta 4, and the function turned extra broadly accessible with Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2.

You may see the compact structure within the second set of notifications under.

Many of the textual content within the notification is truncated, and any embedded pictures are hidden by default till you faucet the dropdown arrow to increase them. Nonetheless, the notification icon, notification title, and reply button are nonetheless proven for messaging apps like Telegram.

Notification cooldown

Android 15 Developer Preview 1 included a function known as Notification cooldown, situated at Settings > Notifications. When enabled, this function would step by step decrease the amount of successive notifications coming from the identical app. The function prevents your cellphone from going off wildly once you obtain lots of notifications in a short time.

Nonetheless, Google eliminated the function from Android 15 Beta 1. The function has not returned but, however there’s proof inside Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 that it has not been deserted.

Beginning with the adjustments, the brand new chips for display screen recording and screencasting gives you a timer proper within the standing bar.

They can even allow you to cease the display screen recording or screencasting session while not having to drag down the standing bar. Tapping on the chip will open a dialog that can allow you to cease the session.

There’s additionally a unique icon now to point when a third-party app requests to file or forged the display screen. The dialog extra prominently asks you whether or not you wish to “share your display screen” somewhat than “begin recording or casting.”

The expertise is pretty purposeful, so we’re hoping to see it go dwell for the broad platform with Android 16.

Fast Settings adjustments: Twin shade design, Classes, Resizing, and extra

Fast Settings is in for an overhaul with Android 16. Beginning off, Google is testing a new twin shade design for Android 16 that separates the Fast Settings panels from the notification shade, which we managed to activate in Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2.

Knocking down the standing bar as soon as nonetheless brings down the notifications panel like earlier than, however the panel now takes up a couple of quarter of the display screen somewhat than the whole factor. Whilst you can’t see any Fast Settings tiles anymore within the new notifications dropdown, you may see the app that’s beneath the panel.

Knocking down the standing bar a second time not brings down the Fast Settings panel. As a substitute, the Fast Settings panel is accessed by knocking down the standing bar with two fingers.

After pulling the Fast Settings panel down, you may swipe left or proper between pages to see all of your tiles. The brightness bar nonetheless seems on the high, however now has a textual content label and reveals the brightness stage as you regulate it, much like the brand new quantity sliders in Android 15. Most Fast Settings tiles have been made smaller so extra of them can match on one web page, which is a welcome change.

Right here’s a video that demonstrates the brand new notification and Fast Settings panels described above:

Flexiglass is the inner codename for the rearchitecting that Google is doing to SystemUI to make it extra steady.

With Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3, we noticed extra adjustments. When the in-development Fast Settings panel is enabled, the Fast Settings tiles change into resizable. You may faucet on any tile whereas within the editor view after which drag the dot left or proper to shrink or increase it. Tiles will be both 1×1 or 2×1 in dimension, permitting you to suit as few as eight or as many as 16 tiles on a single web page. You may resize any tile, even ones offered by third-party apps, although clearly, not each tile may have a helpful description when it’s expanded.

For comparability, right here’s a picture that reveals the default Fast Settings structure in Android 15 vs Android 16:

And right here’s a picture that reveals some extra Fast Settings panel layouts you’ll be capable of make due to this function:

Right here’s a brief video that demonstrates the way you’ll be capable of resize Fast Settings tiles in Android 16:

Along with these adjustments, the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Fast Settings tiles might as soon as once more change into one-click toggles. In case you discover within the screenshots above, the tiles for these two settings aren’t totally crammed in for background shade like the opposite tiles have been. That’s for a purpose: tapping the icon would toggle the respective setting because it did in Android 14 whereas tapping the remainder of the tile would open the panel because it does in Android 15.

Android 15 QPR1 Beta 1 additionally features a new animation once you long-press on the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Fast Settings tiles.

Alongside, Android 16 can even manage the Fast Settings tiles into classes. We noticed strings inside Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3 that recommend the Fast Settings panel will manage tiles into at most seven completely different classes. These classes embody Accessibility, Connectivity, Show, Privateness, Offered by apps, Unknown, and Utilities. They are going to seem within the Fast Settings editor, much like what you may see under:

The system received’t present classes for which you have got already added the accessible tiles.

Lock display screen widgets

Android used to permit lock display screen widgets in its early days, however the function was eliminated in Android 5.0 Lollipop in 2014. Google has been engaged on bringing again lock display screen widget help, and Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 lastly provides them for the Pixel Pill.

To entry them, swipe inward from the correct fringe of the lock display screen. Then, faucet the “customise” card to open the widget editor, the place you may add, take away, or reorder your widgets.

Stash notification bubbles

Google launched the Bubbles API with Android 11 in 2020, permitting messaging apps to open conversations in a floating window. The floating window sits on high of different apps so you may rapidly see or reply to messages out of your favourite contacts. While you’re finished chatting, you may reduce the floating window, which turns it right into a small, floating icon which you can later faucet to revive the window.

Bubbles are both all the time totally seen or hidden, with no in-between state. We managed to activate a 3rd state in Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2, known as “stashing.” Bubble stashing permits you to stash these notification bubbles to the facet of the display screen when they aren’t in use.

This partially minimizes the bubble icon, so it takes up much less house on the display screen. Since this modification was noticed with Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 meant for Pixel gadgets, it may very well be integrated into future variations of the Android platform.

Open any app in a floating bubble

Whereas the Bubbles function talked about above is nice, it solely works for dialog notifications and will be opted out, so many apps don’t help it. Nonetheless, in concept, most Android apps ought to work simply superb when positioned inside a floating window. Code inside Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 suggests Google is testing this concept, because it contains references to a “bubble something” function.

As soon as activated, the Pixel Launcher provides a “bubble” button to the context menu that seems once you press and maintain on any app on the house display screen. Tapping this button opens the app — it doesn’t matter what it’s — in a floating bubble, as you may see under.

Right here’s a video demonstrating what Android’s new “bubble something” function mixed with the upcoming bubble bar will appear like on tablets:

Since this modification was noticed with Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 meant for Pixel gadgets, it may very well be integrated into future variations of the Android platform.

Gemini button on the lock display screen

We’ve noticed a flag inside Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 that probably permits one other approach to invoke Gemini, this time by way of a lock display screen button. This flag controls the presence of a button on the lock display screen that, when tapped, doesn’t do something proper now however might probably set off the AI assistant (given the flicker icon).

The button is pill-shaped and sits proper under the fingerprint reader. It’s bigger than the 2 lock display screen shortcuts on the backside and has a sparkle icon within the center.

Since this modification was noticed with Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 meant for Pixel gadgets, it may very well be integrated into future variations of the Android platform.

Do Not Disturb mode adjustments, introduction of Precedence mode, and renaming to Modes

Google is working to supercharge Android’s Do Not Disturb mode with a brand new Precedence mode. We noticed in depth clues inside Android 15 QPR1 Beta 1, indicating that Google is planning to rename the Do Not Disturb mode entry level, tweak its UI, add a brand new Fast Settings tile, and introduce many different customization choices.

The brand new DND mode UI that we activated has new toggles to allow grayscale mode, disable the always-on show, dim the wallpaper, and allow the darkish theme. These 4 choices make the most of the brand new ZenDeviceEffects API.

The scheduling choices from DND mode are being transferred to a customized Precedence Mode. This new Precedence Modes menu permits you to create a totally customized DND mode schedule with its personal title, icon, activation set off, show settings, and notification settings.

There’s additionally a brand new Fast Settings tile for the Precedence Mode, which co-exists alongside the DND mode tile.

With Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2, Google modified some behaviors associated to Precedence mode and in addition gave us a deeper look. The Fast Settings tile opens a dialog that permits you to rapidly select which Precedence Modes to allow and tells you what number of are enabled, if any.

The updates to the Precedence Modes menu in Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 begins with the brand new intro display screen for the preexisting modes, Occasion and Sleeping. At present, although, the graphic used for every intro display screen is a placeholder, however Google will probably replace these in a future launch. One other change to the menu in QPR1 Beta 2 is the brand new UI for customizing the activation set off and notification settings. As well as, the mode icon now lights up when it’s turned on.

Google has additionally added many new icons to select from when making a customized Precedence Mode. Whilst you can’t add your individual icon, Android now gives 40 icons to select from in QPR1 Beta 2.

In Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3, “Precedence Modes” has been rebranded to only “Modes.” Google additionally added an icon within the standing bar, lock display screen, and AOD to correspond to the present mode that’s enabled, making it a lot simpler to inform at a look.

Google additionally barely tweaked the UI for the dialog that seems once you faucet the Fast Settings tile. Modes at the moment are displayed in a single-column, vertically scrolling record as an alternative of a dual-column record.

One other small tweak is that the Fast Settings tile itself now shows the icon of the primary mode that you simply allow. It additionally reveals the title of the primary mode however switches to the variety of modes energetic if a couple of is enabled. Talking of which, in case you ever have a couple of mode enabled, then solely the primary one’s icon will seem on the standing bar, lock display screen, and AOD.

Since this modification was noticed with Android 15 QPR1 Beta 1, Beta 2, and Beta 3 meant for Pixel gadgets, will probably be integrated into future variations of the Android platform.

Extra enhancements to the display screen recording system

Android 16 might enhance the display screen recorder and display screen caster indicator chips. We noticed and activated the change in Android 15 Beta 4.2, however the adjustments might arrive on Android 15 in a future QPR launch and, thus, on the broader platform with Android 16. The chips additionally turned extra broadly accessible in QPR1 Beta 2, indicating a possible launch for the QPR replace after which on Android 16.

For one, the brand new chips for display screen recording and screencasting gives you a timer proper within the standing bar.

They can even allow you to cease the display screen recording or screencasting session while not having to drag down the standing bar. Tapping on the chip will open a dialog that can allow you to cease the session.

There’s additionally a unique icon now to point when a third-party app requests to file or forged the display screen. The dialog extra prominently asks you whether or not you wish to “share your display screen” somewhat than “begin recording or casting.”

The expertise is pretty purposeful, but it surely stays anybody’s guess when it truly arrives. With Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2, the system stops display screen shares initiated by third-party apps once you lock the gadget.

App switcher throughout partial display screen sharing

Android 15 introduces a extra personal display screen recording system that permits you to file or forged a single app as an alternative of your complete display screen. Nonetheless, if it is advisable to change the app you’re recording or casting, it’s important to finish the present session and begin a brand new one.

We noticed a flag inside Android 15’s supply code that allows a “job switcher function for partial display screen sharing.” After enabling this flag, once you begin display screen recording or display screen casting an app after which swap to a unique app, a brand new notification seems.

This notification informs the consumer that “sharing pauses once you swap apps.” The notification has two buttons: “share this app as an alternative” and “swap again.” Tapping “swap again” launches the app with which the display screen recording or casting session was began. Tapping “share this app as an alternative” does nothing, although, because it seems the duty switcher function for partial display screen sharing isn’t totally purposeful but. It’s attainable that this function might get activated for Android 16.

Android permits you to navigate its UI utilizing keyboard shortcuts. As a result of there are such a lot of keyboard shortcuts accessible, Android additionally has a devoted menu itemizing them.

To assist make the keyboard shortcut menu simpler to make use of on tablets, Google might add the menu to the facet navigation rail. We discovered code for this in Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2, and right here’s what it might appear like:

The redesigned keyboard shortcut menu ought to thus be simpler to make use of on tablets because the shortcut classes shall be nearer to the left fringe of the show. Because the change was noticed in Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 meant for Pixel gadgets, it may very well be integrated into future variations of the Android platform.

Touchpad gesture tutorial

We noticed a new tutorial for touchpad gestures in Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2. Google has created customized animations that designate how a few of Android’s touchpad gestures work. These animations simulate the gesture used to return (swiping left or proper with three fingers), the gesture to go house (swiping up with three fingers), and the gesture to open the app drawer (urgent the motion key on the keyboard).

It additionally created a notification that seems when the consumer connects a touchpad for the primary time, inviting them to attempt the gestures.

Though Android additionally helps gestures to open the current apps display screen (swiping up with three fingers, then holding), open the notifications panel (swiping down with three fingers), and swap between apps (swiping left or proper with 4 fingers), the tutorial in Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 doesn’t point out all of those. It’s probably that Google isn’t completed with this tutorial simply but and that will probably be up to date in a future beta.

Because the change was noticed in Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 meant for Pixel gadgets, it may very well be integrated into future variations of the Android platform.

Enhancements to Superior Safety Mode

Superior Safety Mode gives an additional layer of safety for individuals who have useful knowledge of their Google accounts. This system is focused at customers who’re at an elevated threat of getting hacked, like IT admins, journalists, activists, enterprise executives, and politicians. In case you enroll within the Superior Safety Program, you then’re compelled to make use of a safety key or passkey to signal into your Google account, you’re prevented from downloading recordsdata that Google Chrome marks as dangerous, and also you’re blocked from giving unapproved (by Google) apps entry to your Google account knowledge.

In your Android gadget, Google Play Shield will keep enabled, will block you from putting in apps from outdoors the Google Play Retailer or different preinstalled apps, and can even warn you about apps on the Play Retailer that haven’t been authorized by Google.

Commerce-in mode for ADB

Commerce-ins can take lots of time, partially as a result of each cellphone that has been traded in must be inspected. Non-functional gadgets are simple to examine since they both have cracks that disqualify them or don’t boot up, however purposeful gadgets have to be booted up and run by way of a collection of checks to verify that they’re functioning correctly. To ensure that the checks to run, the gadget must undergo the setup display screen like a brand-new cellphone after which allow ADB debugging, which is buried deep within the Settings menu. Whereas most of those screens will be skipped within the setup, it nonetheless provides up time, however enabling ADB debugging can’t be averted.

Android 16 might add a new trade-in mode to ADB, which might enable a really restricted model of ADB to be accessible to Android gadgets proper on the primary display screen of the setup wizard. This can make it simpler for technicians to run automated diagnostics for gadget inspections.

The setup wizard will allow ADB trade-in mode and can disable it after setup has been accomplished. The technician can use ADB trade-in mode to place the gadget into an “analysis mode” and bypass the setup, however it should additionally pressure a manufacturing unit reset on the following boot. Alternatively, one other command will be run to retrieve diagnostic details about the gadget and see if it passes an attestation problem.

Pixel: Current apps in taskbar

On Pixel foldables and tablets, the Android taskbar at present reveals six apps pinned to the dock and two instructed apps. Though the Pixel Launcher suggests apps primarily based in your lately used apps, they’re additionally primarily based on these you most regularly use and your “routines.”

Within the above video, you may see the 2 instructed apps getting changed with the 2 most lately used apps.

Since this modification was noticed with Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 meant for Pixel gadgets, it may very well be integrated into future variations of the Android platform. Many Android producers already spotlight lately used apps within the taskbar, so this modification will profit the Android platform at massive.

Pixel: Manually set 80% charging restrict

Google Pixel smartphones have an Adaptive Charging function that displays your charging habits and limits charging to 80% till about one hour earlier than the system predicts you’ll unplug your cellphone. This function may very well be up to date so as to add an choice to manually cap charging at 80%.

The function was noticed in Android 15 Beta 42 and rolled out extra broadly with Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2, so it should probably attain Pixel gadgets in a future QPR replace or with Android 16.

Smaller adjustments

There are many smaller adjustments that we count on shall be accessible in Android 16, primarily based on leaked options:

• Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 contains an depth slider for shade correction settings. This slider permits you to tweak the depth of the colour steadiness adjustments inside the shade correction modes.
• Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 contains customizations for the mouse pointer. These embody a brand new pointer fill fashion selector, a pointer stroke fashion selector, and a pointer scale slider. They are often discovered underneath Settings > System > Touchpad & mouse.
• Android 15 QPR1 Beta 1 and Beta 2 embody a new keyboard switcher button. This button seems as a wireframe globe situated underneath the keys and to the correct of the cover button. The switcher dialog additionally seems to be extra fashionable and is positioned a lot decrease on the display screen to make it simpler to pick with one hand.
• Android 15 QPR1 Beta 1 included new strings describing a settings web page for exterior shows. Beta 2 included the change for the Exterior Show web page. This web page permits the consumer to regulate the show decision and rotation of exterior shows which are related to a Pixel 8 collection or Pixel 9 collection gadget.
• Android 15 QPR1 Beta 1 features a new predictive again gesture animation for the keyboard.

These are all of the adjustments we count on to see within the Android 16 platform replace in 2025. Tell us your favourite upcoming function within the feedback under!