Android 16 is here! The next update of Google’s mobile OS has quickly followed its predecessors. Here’s everything we know about Android 16, including new features, compatible devices, and the release schedule.
- When will Android 16 be available?
- Which smartphones will support Android 16?
- How to install Android 16?
- What are the new features of Android 16?
- Comments
Internally codenamed Baklava, Android 16 marks a shift in Google’s software strategy. For many years, we’ve seen major yearly updates around the same time each year. However, the American company has decided to accelerate the pace, shortening the intervals between releases. This allows for quicker deployment of new features. As a result, Android updates are now completely decoupled from the release of Google Pixel smartphones, which were typically the first to receive the latest Android versions.
Having gone through several previews for developers and beta phases, we’re beginning to get a clear picture of what Android 16 will entail. Join us as we explore all the new features planned, as well as the release timeline and the smartphones that will be compatible with the update.
When will Android 16 be available?
Android 16 is set to arrive sooner than expected. Google has already published a deployment schedule for the update’s different versions:
- Developer Preview 1 was released in November 2024.
- Developer Preview 2 was released in December 2024.
- Beta 1 was released in January 2025.
- Beta 2 was released in February 2025.
- Beta 3 was released in March 2025.
- Beta 4 was released in April 2025.
Google notes that Android 16 has been stable since Beta 3 in March 2025. From this point, there will be almost no changes to the final version, with developers focusing on optimizations and bug fixes. The system behaviors and APIs will be finalized, allowing third-party developers to finalize their app and service updates to ensure compatibility with Android 16.
There is no official release date for Android 16 at the moment, but it is expected to launch by late spring or early summer 2025. However, the rollout of the stable version could begin as early as June 2025, much earlier than anticipated.
In its roadmap, Google mentions the release of a new minor system version in the fourth quarter of 2025, which will include new features and API changes, but no behavioral changes.
It remains unclear how the American company plans to promote this update and whether it will be named specifically, such as Android 16.1, for example. Google has not used this type of nomenclature for a long time. The last significant Android X.1 version to be remembered dates back to Oreo and Android 8.1. However, this does not mean that Google cannot return to it.
Which smartphones will support Android 16?
As of this writing, the first beta of Android 16 has just been released. Third-party manufacturers have not yet announced the list of their devices that will be updated to this new version. However, Google has announced all its compatible models:
- Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro
- Pixel 6a
- Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro
- Pixel 7a
- Pixel Fold
- Pixel Tablet
- Pixel 8 and 8 Pro
- Pixel 8a
- Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold
For other brands, more information will become available as we progress through the beta process. There are rumors that the Galaxy S25 could be one of the first non-Pixel mobiles eligible for an Android 16 beta through One UI 8 (yes, One UI 7 has just been released). At Samsung, all high-end smartphones from the Galaxy S22 onwards should receive the update, but not necessarily at launch.
For Xiaomi, OnePlus, Oppo, Asus, vivo, Motorola, Nothing, and others, it is necessary to rely on their respective update policies to get an idea of the availability of Android 16 on your device, pending official information. If your mobile is recent, it should be updated, but some manufacturers quickly drop software support on their lower-end devices.
How to install Android 16?
When the final version of Android 16 is available on your smartphone, you will receive a notification inviting you to download and install the update. If you are eager, you can also install the Android 16 beta on your device. You can enroll in the beta program with your compatible Pixel device using this link. Other manufacturers are expected to launch their own programs for future Android 16 betas.
There are alternative methods to flash Android 16 versions on a device not officially supported, but this involves risks to your data and device. We do not recommend this procedure unless you are very sure of what you are doing.
What are the new features of Android 16?
Although Android 16 is arriving quicker than previous updates, Google is still preparing a significant number of changes, improvements, optimizations, and new features. Here’s a preview of some that caught our eye. Keep in mind that all the new features we discuss here are included in the beta or are not yet activated, and thus it is not yet certain if they will be present in the final version.
Adaptive Display for Apps on Foldable Smartphones and Tablets
Android has often been criticized for not providing a true tablet experience, especially when compared to iPadOS from Apple. It took the rise of foldable screen smartphones to see real efforts in this area.
With Android 16, we are seeing the gradual removal of the ability for apps to restrict the orientation and resizing of the display on large screens. This update will “allow users to run apps in any window size and aspect ratio,” explain Android developers.
Some compatibility issues with tablet and foldable smartphone displays will thus be resolved. We also learn that Android 17 will go even further, preventing third-party developers from locking specific orientations or aspect ratios for their apps.
In the same vein, Android 16 will add a very useful feature for tablets: the ability to minimize a window to the taskbar without closing it, which will save time when using multiple apps simultaneously.
Several Additions for Bluetooth LE Audio Devices
Users have more control over their Bluetooth LE Audio compatible devices with Android 16. This version allows adjusting the volume of ambient sounds captured by the headphones or earbuds’ microphones.
It will also be possible to independently control the volume on the left and right sides. Furthermore, users will be able to switch on the fly between the audio device’s mics or those of the smartphone, via a notification displayed during a call.