Google has officially launched Android 16, marking its earliest major OS release in recent years. The update is rolling out now to Pixel devices, with support for other Android phone makers expected later this year.
Android 16 introduces several under-the-hood improvements and usability upgrades designed to make the platform more intuitive, secure, and accessible. The update also lays the groundwork for the new Material 3 Expressive design language, bringing a fresh layer of polish to Android’s visual experience.
Smarter Notifications and Real-Time Updates
Android 16 refines how users interact with notifications by introducing two key improvements. First, it enables real-time “live updates” from compatible ride-share and food delivery apps, letting users track their driver or order directly from the notification panel without diving into the app. This feature is expected to integrate with systems like Samsung’s Now Bar and OPPO and OnePlus’ Live Alerts as it expands.
To reduce visual clutter, Android 16 also introduces auto-grouping for app notifications. Instead of a rapid-fire stream of messages from a single app, related alerts are bundled together to keep things neat and scannable.
Better Support for Hearing Aids and Accessibility
For users with LE Audio hearing aids, Android 16 makes a noticeable leap in call clarity. Until now, most hearing aids relied on their own microphones, which are typically optimized for picking up the other caller’s voice, not yours. With this update, users can switch to using the phone’s microphone for better audio pickup, especially in noisy settings.
There’s also improved on-device control: Android 16 adds native volume and mic settings for hearing devices, offering a more consistent and accessible experience directly from the phone.
Stronger Security with Advanced Protection
Android 16 introduces system-level access to Google’s Advanced Protection Program, offering mobile users a more powerful defense against online threats. The feature is designed for high-risk users, journalists, political figures, or anyone who wants an extra layer of safety. Once activated, it shields the device from malicious apps, phishing attempts, scam calls, and unsafe sites with a single toggle.
Tablet Features Get a Desktop-Like Boost
Google is bringing more desktop-style flexibility to large-screen Android devices. In collaboration with Samsung, Android 16 debuts a new desktop windowing feature that allows users to open, resize, and move multiple app windows, much like on a traditional computer. It complements the existing split-screen and single-app views, making multitasking on tablets and foldables more seamless.
Keyboard power users will appreciate the upcoming support for custom shortcuts, along with taskbar overflow support for better app management. These productivity tools aim to bridge the gap between mobile and desktop workflows, and Google says additional features, like external display support, are on the horizon.
More to Come
Android 16 packs even more updates behind the scenes, including HDR screenshots, adaptive refresh rates, identity verification enhancements, and early glimpses at the new Material 3 Expressive UI. Future updates will extend to Wear OS 6 and other Android devices later in the year.
Developer Upgrades and a New SDK Cadence
Android 16 marks the beginning of a new major/minor SDK strategy. This release, the only one this year with behavior-affecting changes, is joined by a quarterly release cadence, one of which (Q3) will focus on visual polish, and another (Q4) will include new APIs without breaking existing apps.
Google is also pushing for more adaptive Android app experiences across screen sizes, aspect ratios, and device form factors. Developers targeting Android 16 (API level 36) will need to accommodate expanded support for resizable and multi-window layouts, especially on devices with a smallest width of 600dp or greater.
Time to Test and Target
Google encourages developers to begin testing and updating their apps now, using the Android Emulator or installing Android 16 on supported Pixel devices. Libraries, SDKs, and game engines should be audited for compatibility, especially for apps that interact with ART internals, rely on scheduled jobs, or use deprecated accessibility methods.
More details, including developer tools, compatibility guides, and links to the latest Android Studio, are available in the official announcement on the Android Developers Blog.
