Android 16 Developer Preview is Here: What's New?
Android 16 is arriving earlier than expected, with the preview already accessible to developers. Google has officially released the Android 16 Developer Preview, giving developers and testers a glimpse of what’s to come. Read on to discover the new features and enhancements in this major update.
When Will Android 16 Be Released?
Google rolled out the first Android 16 Developer Preview in November, followed by a second release in December. While there’s no confirmed date for the third installment, it will transition to a beta release that will be open to public testers.
Android 16 is expected to go through three beta releases before entering the stable phase, projected for March. The official release is anticipated around May or June 2025. Additionally, Google plans to roll out a minor update—likely Android 16.1—in the final quarter of 2025.
This approach is groundbreaking enough that Google has even prepared a video to explain the changes in detail. If you’re curious and want to dive deeper, be sure to check it out:
What is Android 16's Dessert Codename?
Like previous versions of the operating system, Android 16 has an internal codename based on a dessert name. After Tiramisu, Upside Down Cake, and Vanilla Ice Cream, Google didn't bother looking for desserts with the letters W, X, Y, or Z, and went straight to B for baklava, which is a popular pastry in Greece and Turkey. Yummy!
While the developer preview lists the system version as "Baklava", expect to see Google using only "Android 16" and "Android 16.1" as the OS branding as we get near the stable release, though.
What's new in Android 16
The Android 16 DP2 builds on the first DP but it also introduces a new range of exciting features and enhancements aimed at improving user experience, privacy, and device functionality.
While these updates are geared toward developers, they include significant changes that users can look forward to in the upcoming Android release. Here’s a closer look at the key features users can expect.
Improved Adaptive Refresh Rate
With Android 16 Developer Preview 2, Google has enhanced true variable refresh rate support. At the developer level, this improvement allows more apps to utilize the Adaptive Refresh Rate (ARR) feature that debuted in late Android 15. For users, this translates to better battery management when variable refresh rates are enabled.
Enhanced Haptics
Android 16 DP2 introduces new haptic feedback APIs, enabling developers to define vibration amplitude and frequency more precisely. These finer controls allow for creating custom and dynamic vibration patterns. Moreover, the update aims to make haptic feedback more consistent across apps and system interactions.
Two-finger double-tap zoom
In the Accessibility settings, the magnification (zoom) feature lists a variety of shortcut options (always visible button, gestures, volume buttons, etc). New to Android 16 is the option to magnify the display with a double tap with two fingers on the screen.
Improved support for physical keyboards
Uncovered by Android expert Mishaal Rahman, Android 16 brought a couple of changes to improve support for physical keyboards. The first is a reorganization of the Settings menu for its accessibility features, and inside it users will find the new Repeat Keys settings. The option sets a delay before a pressed key is registered again and also its repeat rate. Both will be especially welcomed by the tablet warriors out there.
Fingerprint unlock with screen-off
Exclusive to the Pixel 9 series, this change allows users to unlock the phone with a registered fingerprint without having to wake the screen. The caveat is that the change is only available (at least for now) for the Pixel 9 series phones, probably due to the use of an ultrasonic sensor instead of the older optical fingerprint reader in the Pixel 6 through 8 models.
7 new emojis
Android 16 includes support for the new emoji ratified with the Unicode 16.0 release, officially announced in September, 2024. The official list of emoji reached 3,790 with this release and has 164 candidates for the 17th version, expected in September 2025.
Google Keep is now a system app
The note-taking app Google Keep used to be a stand-alone app that needed to be installed through the Play Store like any other app. Starting with Android 16, Google seems to be enforcing the app to be installed by default, with no option to uninstall Keep unless brute forcing it through root access.
Wi-Fi QR code redesign
Not the most groundbreaking change to the system, the QR-code screen for sharing Wi-Fi credentials got a redesign. Google ditched the plain QR-code for a stylized one, adopting the Material You color palette on your phone.
Reorganized Settings
The Settings app is a traditional weak point in terms of usability—also on iOS and Windows—with expanding needs and features popping up from time to time, it is no surprise regular users get confused and lost in it. Google recently started reordering and moving things around in the Settings app.
The change gives more space to the search bar, at the same time it highlights the main Google account on the phone. The change was actually rolled out to Pixel phones with Android 15, but will probably reach other AOSP-based distributions (Asus, Motorola, Sony, etc) only on Android 16.
Photo Picker
While this release primarily targets developers, several noteworthy features and improvements were introduced. Among the highlights is the updated photo picker feature, which benefits from new APIs aimed at improving app integration for uploading photos and videos. This update enhances user privacy by removing excessive permissions while streamlining the app interface.
Health Connect and FHIR Support
Another major addition is support for the FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) format within the Health Connect app. This integration could allow users to manage medical records alongside health metrics in the future. A similar feature, known as Health Records, exists in Samsung Health but is currently limited to select healthcare providers.
Notification Cooldown
Other changes include the introduction of a Notifications Cooldown feature, designed to reduce distractions by minimizing alerts and lowering notification volume when multiple notifications are received in quick succession.
Audio Sharing
The Audio Sharing feature, initially spotted in Android 15, was further refined. This functionality relies on Bluetooth LE connectivity to enable audio sharing from a single source device to multiple headphones, essentially allowing users to broadcast audio.
Privacy and Security Enhancements
Android 16 also introduces several privacy and security enhancements. The latest version of Privacy Sandbox improves data encryption and handling of sensitive information. In addition, a new Security and Permissions History option enables users to review app permissions and security activity over the past seven days on the Privacy Dashboard, providing greater transparency and control.
Predictive Back for Navigation Buttons
Google introduced the predictive back gesture as a default feature in Android 15, allowing users to preview the previous screen when performing a back gesture. In the Android 16 Developer Preview, it appears that this functionality could extend to devices using virtual navigation buttons (Recent, Home, Back).
It remains unclear whether this feature will make its way into the beta version of Android 16 or be implemented in a later release.
Live Activities and Redesigned UI
Google is also working on integrating live activities into lock and home screens while redesigning the quick settings layout for a more user-friendly experience.
Additionally, a change in volume control sliders has been spotted in the Android 16 Developer Preview. The updated design features a thinner slider with a more defined scrubber, moving away from the previous large elliptical style.
Which Devices Support the Android 16 DP2 Update?
The Android 16 DP2 is now available for the Pixel 9 series all the way to the Pixel 6 series, as well as the Pixel Tablet and Pixel Fold. However, Google noted that devices running Android 15 QPR (Quarterly Platform Release) Beta 1 will require a full device wipe before installing the Android 16 firmware.
What are your thoughts on Google's decision to release Android 16 earlier than usual? Do you think the stable release will indicate a change in the Pixel hardware's launch timing? Share your opinions in the comments below!
Article updated in January 2025 with new features introduced with Android 16 DP2 and hidden tweaks found in the firmware.
Via: Android Authority Source: Android Developers Blog, Android Developers Blog
No Experience Needed, No Boss Over il Your FD Shoulder… Say Goodbye To Your Old Job! Limited Number Of Spots Open…………………….. earningedge69.blogspot.dk