Developer Preview 1 available: Android 16 also arrives on the Pixel 6 in preview 45 comments
Image: Google
Google released the first developer preview of Android 16 for Pixel smartphones and Pixel tablet surprisingly early. Also considered is the Pixel 6 series, whose support for major new releases actually expired last month. According to Google, Android 16 should be ready in the second quarter of 2025.
Android 16 can be tested as Developer Preview 1 by flashing the corresponding system images on supported devices. The release is intended for developers; installing it without prior backup will result in data loss. After installation, newer versions can be installed via OTA updates, and upcoming beta versions and the final version can also be installed later this way.
Android 16 and Pixel-6-Series
Android 16 Developer Preview 1 is supported on the following devices:
Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 ProPixel 6aPixel 7 and Pixel 7 ProPixel 7aPixel FoldPixel TabletPixel 8 and Pixel 8 ProPixel 8aPixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold
Also included is the Pixel 6 series, support for which actually expired last month according to Google. The series is no longer expected to receive major new Android releases, but security patches are still planned until October 2026. However, these two details are minimal details, so longer support is possible at any time.
Android 16 expected release (Image: Google)
Final release in second quarter 2025
This time, Google would like to complete Android 16 in the second quarter of 2025 instead of the usual third quarter release. The previous version was coordinated according to the planned release of devices in the Android ecosystem, Google explains. This will probably also affect the Android developer itself, because the Pixel 9 series (test) hit the market in the third quarter of this year, but Android 15 was not yet ready, so the devices still had to boot with Android 14 .
Minor version of the SDK planned for the end of 2025
Another release with new developer APIs is expected to follow in Q4 2025. Google describes this planned release as a “minor SDK release” with new APIs and features, but in which nothing should change the behavior of the operating system so developers can ensure their apps continue to work properly. According to Google, more frequent API releases aim to promote innovation in applications and services.
Developers need to finish early
The final version, scheduled for the second quarter of 2025, is however a “major SDK release”, for which the behavior of the operating system will also be changed. Next year, developers will have to adapt their apps for Android 15 a little earlier or manage them so that they can continue to work without errors.
Native photo selection tool for apps
The innovations of Android 16 are still manageable initially. The native photo selection tool is now also available in other apps and supports user data isolation so that it is not necessary to grant one app access to the entire library. Developer Preview 1 also includes a preview of Health Connect with APIs for reading and writing health data in FHIR format. The release also includes the latest version of Privacy Sandbox to better protect user data.
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