Why it issues: This accelerated and extra frequent launch cycle is a big shift in Android’s growth technique. By aligning extra carefully with machine producers’ schedules and providing extra frequent API updates, Google goals to foster sooner innovation and enhance the Android ecosystem for each builders and customers.
Google has unveiled the primary developer preview for Android 16, marking a shift within the Android launch cycle and introducing a number of recent options for app builders. This early launch, out there now for testing, indicators the beginning of a brand new method to Android growth, with Google planning to extend the frequency of API releases to speed up innovation within the cell ecosystem.
In a departure from earlier years, Google has introduced plans for 2 main API releases in 2025. The primary, scheduled for Q2 2025, would be the main launch, much like previous annual updates.
The second API launch, slated for This fall 2025, will introduce new developer APIs that concentrate on characteristic updates, optimizations, and bug fixes.
Google is shifting the most important Android launch to Q2, sooner than the normal Q3 launch. This adjustment goals to higher align with machine producers’ schedules, permitting extra units to obtain the most recent Android model sooner.
The accelerated timeline means builders might want to conduct their annual compatibility testing sooner than traditional to make sure their apps are prepared for the brand new launch.
Android 16 contains enhanced API model checking strategies to align with the brand new launch construction. The acquainted SDK_INT fixed, used together with VERSION_CODES, will stay in place to help checks for main Android releases.
Complementing this, a brand new SDK_INT_FULL fixed has been launched, which, when used alongside the VERSION_CODES_FULL enumeration, permits builders to carry out checks in opposition to each main and minor variations.
For these excited about accessing the minor SDK model, the Construct.getMinorSdkVersion() technique has been made out there.
It is price noting that these new APIs are presently in a state of flux and should endure modifications. Google is actively encouraging builders to supply suggestions.
The preview additionally introduces APIs that enable apps to embed the photograph picker instantly into their view hierarchy whereas nonetheless sustaining the safety advantages of course of isolation. In different phrases, customers can grant apps entry to chose media with out offering broad permissions to their complete media library.
Android 16 features a preview of recent Well being Join APIs that help well being information. These APIs allow apps to learn and write medical information in FHIR format, with specific person consent. This characteristic is presently a part of an early entry program.
The most recent model of Privateness Sandbox on Android is integrated into Android 16. This ongoing initiative goals to develop applied sciences that shield person privateness whereas supporting the app ecosystem. The SDK Runtime, which permits SDKs to run in a devoted surroundings separate from the app they serve, is a key element of this effort.
Google advises builders to start compatibility testing with the brand new launch and to compile their apps in opposition to the brand new SDK. The Android 16 Preview program will run from November 2024 till the ultimate public launch in 2025, with updates delivered at key growth milestones.
The Platform Stability milestone, focused for late Q1 2025, will ship closing SDK/NDK APIs and inner APIs. Google expects to achieve this milestone in March 2025, giving builders a number of months for closing testing earlier than the official launch.