When Will Android 16 Be Launched?

The preliminary Developer Preview marks the place to begin of the Android 16 rollout, in response to Google, with the second Developer Preview slated for December.

The primary Beta launch is anticipated in January 2025, adopted by three further Beta updates main as much as the secure launch, projected between Could and June 2025. Moreover, a minor replace—doubtless Android 16.1—is deliberate for the ultimate quarter of 2025.

This method is groundbreaking sufficient that Google has even ready a video to elucidate the modifications intimately. If you happen to’re curious and need to dive deeper, remember to test it out:

What’s Android 16’s Dessert Codename?

Like earlier variations of the working system, Android 16 has an inside codename primarily based on a dessert title. After Tiramisu, Upside Down Cake, and Vanilla Ice Cream, Google did not hassle in search of desserts with the letters W, X, Y, or Z, and went straight to B for baklava. Yummy.

Whereas the developer preview lists the system model as “Baklava”, anticipate to see Google utilizing solely “Android 16” because the OS branding as we get close to the secure launch, although.

What’s new in Android 16

Android 16 DP2 introduces a variety of thrilling options and enhancements aimed toward bettering person expertise, privateness, and system performance. Whereas primarily geared towards builders, these updates additionally embrace vital modifications that customers can stay up for within the upcoming Android launch. Right here’s a better have a look at the important thing options unveiled on this preview.

Two-finger double faucet zoom

Within the Accessibility settings, the magnification (zoom) function lists quite a lot of shortcuts choices (all the time seen button, gestures, quantity buttons, and so forth). New to Android 16 is the choice to amplify the show with a double faucet with two fingers on the display.

Improved help for bodily keyboards

Uncovered by Android knowledgeable Mishaal Rahman, Android 16 introduced a few modifications to enhance help for bodily keyboards. The primary is a reorganization of the Settings menu for its accessibility options, and inside it customers will discover the brand new Repeat Keys settings. The choice units a delay earlier than a pressed key’s registered once more and in addition its repeat price. Each will probably be particularly welcomed by the pill warriors on the market.

Fingerprint unlock with screen-off

Unique to the Pixel 9 collection, this variation permits customers to unlock the cellphone with a registered fingerprint with out having to wake the display. The caveat is that the change is simply accessible (at the very least for now) for the Pixel 9 collection telephones, most likely attributable to the usage of an ultrasonic sensor as a substitute of the older optical fingerprint reader within the Pixel 6 by means of 8 fashions.

7 new emojis

Android 16 contains help for the brand new emoji ratified with the Unicode 16.0 launch, formally introduced in September, 2024. The official checklist of emoji reached 3,790 with this launch and has 164 candidates for the seventeenth model, anticipated in September 2025.

Google Hold is now a system app

The note-taking app Google Hold was a stand-alone app that wanted to be put in by means of the Play Retailer like some other app. Beginning with Android 16, Google appears to be implementing the app to be put in by default, with no choice to uninstall Hold until brute forcing it by means of root entry.

Wi-Fi QR code redesign

Not probably the most groundbreaking change to the system, the QR-code display for sharing Wi-Fi credentials acquired a redesign. Google ditched the plain QR-code for a stylized one, adopting the Materials You colour palette in your cellphone.

Reorganized Settings

The Settings app is a standard weak level when it comes to usability—additionally on iOS and Home windows—with increasing wants and options popping up infrequently, it’s no shock common customers get confused and misplaced in it. Google not too long ago began reordering and shifting issues round within the Settings app.

The change provides more room to the search bar, on the similar time it highlights the principle Google account on the cellphone. The change was truly rolled out to Pixel telephones with Android 15, however will most likely attain different AOSP-based distributions (Asus, Motorola, Sony, and so forth) solely on Android 16.

Picture Picker

Whereas this launch primarily targets builders, a number of noteworthy options and enhancements had been launched. Among the many highlights is the up to date photograph picker function, which advantages from new APIs aimed toward bettering app integration for importing pictures and movies. This replace enhances person privateness by eradicating extreme permissions whereas streamlining the app interface.

Well being Join and FHIR Assist

One other main addition is help for the FHIR (Quick Healthcare Interoperability Assets) format throughout the Well being Join app. This integration might enable customers to handle medical information alongside well being metrics sooner or later. The same function, often known as Well being Data, exists in Samsung Well being however is at the moment restricted to pick healthcare suppliers.

Notification Cooldown

Different modifications embrace the introduction of a Notifications Cooldown function, designed to scale back distractions by minimizing alerts and decreasing notification quantity when a number of notifications are obtained in fast succession.

Audio Sharing

The Audio Sharing function, initially noticed in Android 15, was additional refined. This performance depends on Bluetooth LE connectivity to allow audio sharing from a single supply system to a number of headphones, primarily permitting customers to broadcast audio.

Privateness and Safety Enhancements

Android 16 additionally introduces a number of privateness and safety enhancements. The newest model of Privateness Sandbox improves knowledge encryption and dealing with of delicate info. As well as, a brand new Safety and Permissions Historical past choice allows customers to evaluation app permissions and safety exercise over the previous seven days on the Privateness Dashboard, offering higher transparency and management.

Reside Actions and Redesigned Fast Settings

Past these, it was found that Google is working to place dwell actions on the lock and residential screens and introduce a brand new redesigned fast settings structure.

Which Units Assist the Android 16 DP2 Replace?