Posted by Matthew McCullough – VP of Product Administration, Android Developer
At this time we’re bringing you Beta 4, the final scheduled replace in our Android 15 beta program, so make certain your apps are prepared and you’ve got given us any essential suggestions earlier than non-beta customers begin getting Android 15.
That is our second Platform Stability launch; the developer APIs and all app-facing behaviors are ultimate so that you can evaluation and combine into your apps, and apps concentrating on Android 15 might be made obtainable in Google Play. Beta 4 consists of our newest fixes and optimizations, supplying you with every part it’s essential to full your testing. Head over to our Android 15 abstract web page for a listing of the options and conduct adjustments we have been protecting on this sequence of weblog posts, or learn on for a number of the prime adjustments to pay attention to.
Eliminated PNG-based emoji font
Android 15 removes the legacy PNG-based emoji font file (NotoColorEmojiLegacy.ttf) which means that some Android 15 gadgets equivalent to Pixel will solely have the vector-based file. Starting with Android 13, the emoji font file utilized by the system emoji renderer modified from a PNG-based file to a vector based mostly file. We saved the previous font file round in Android 13 and 14 for compatibility causes, in order that purposes with their very own font renderers may proceed to make use of the previous font till they have been in a position to improve.
You may select to adapt your app in quite a lot of methods:
- Use platform textual content rendering. You may render textual content to a bitmap-backed Canvas and use that to get a uncooked picture if crucial.
Get your apps, libraries, instruments, and recreation engines prepared!
For those who develop an SDK, library, device, or recreation engine, it is essential to organize any crucial updates now to stop your downstream app and recreation builders from being blocked by compatibility points and permit them to focus on the newest SDK options. Please let your builders know if updates are wanted to completely assist Android 15.
Testing your app includes putting in your manufacturing app utilizing Google Play or different means onto a tool or emulator working Android 15 Beta 4. Work by all of your app’s flows and search for practical or UI points. Evaluate the conduct adjustments to focus your testing. Every launch of Android accommodates platform adjustments that enhance privateness, safety, and total person expertise, and these adjustments can have an effect on your apps. Listed below are a number of adjustments to deal with that apply even in the event you do not but goal Android 15:
- Assist for 16KB web page sizes – Starting with Android 15, Android helps gadgets which can be configured to make use of a web page measurement of 16 KB. In case your app or library makes use of the NDK, both instantly or not directly by an SDK, then you’ll doubtless must rebuild your app for it to work on these gadgets.
- Non-public house assist – Non-public house is a brand new function in Android 15 that lets customers create a separate house on their gadget the place they will preserve delicate apps away from prying eyes, beneath a further layer of authentication.
Keep in mind to completely train libraries and SDKs that your app is utilizing throughout your compatibility testing. It’s possible you’ll must replace to present SDK variations or attain out to the developer for assist in the event you encounter any points.
When you’ve revealed the Android 15-compatible model of your app, you can begin the course of to replace your app’s targetSdkVersion. Evaluate the conduct adjustments that apply when your app targets Android 15 and use the compatibility framework to assist shortly detect points.
Make the most of new platform options!
Transcend getting your app prepared and benefit from new options that may make your app stand out on Android 15 gadgets:
- The font file for Chinese language, Japanese, and Korean (CJK) languages, NotoSansCJK, is now a variable font opening up new potentialities for inventive typography.
- The ApplicationStartInfo API helps present perception into app startup together with startup state, time spent in launch phases, how your app was began when your Utility class was instantiated, and extra.
- With partial display sharing customers can share or file simply an app window reasonably than the complete gadget display.
- Generated previews permit your app widget suppliers to generate RemoteViews which include live-content and correct gadget theming to make use of because the picker preview, as an alternative of a generic static useful resource.
At this time’s beta launch has every part it’s essential to check out Android 15 options, check your apps, and provides us suggestions. Now that we’re within the beta part, you possibly can test right here to get details about enrolling your gadget; Enrolling supported Pixel gadgets will ship this and future Android Beta updates over-the-air. These OTAs will start this night PDT. For those who don’t have a supported gadget, you possibly can use the 64-bit system pictures with the Android Emulator in Android Studio. For those who’re already within the Android 14 QPR beta program on a supported gadget, you may mechanically get up to date to Android 15 Beta 4.
For the most effective growth expertise with Android 15, we suggest that you just use the newest model of Android Studio Koala. When you’re arrange, listed here are a number of the issues it is best to do:
- Attempt the brand new options and APIs – your suggestions is essential through the early a part of the developer preview and beta program. Report points in our tracker on the suggestions web page.
- Take a look at your present app for compatibility – study whether or not your app is affected by adjustments in Android 15; set up your app onto a tool or emulator working Android 15 and extensively check it.
- Replace your app with the Android SDK Improve Assistant – The most recent Android Studio Koala Characteristic Drop launch now covers android 15 API adjustments and walks you thru the steps to improve your targetSdkVersion with the Android SDK Improve Assistant.
We’ll replace the beta system pictures and SDK usually all through the rest of the Android 15 launch cycle. Learn extra right here.
For full data, go to the Android 15 developer web site.
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