Google has released Android 16 Developer Preview 1. This is slightly earlier than Google’s previous Android launch schedule. The first developer preview of Android 15 was launched in February 2024. The new developer preview comes a month after the public release of Android 15. Like previous developer previews, Android 16 Developer Preview 1 is aimed at developers and will be available for download initially. Pixel smartphones. The preview will include bugs and broken features, and will run from November 2024 until the final public release next year. The update brings a handful of new features like an embedded photo picker, medical record support, and an updated privacy sandbox.

Android 16 Release Timeline, Features

In a blog post on Monday, Google announced Launch of Android 16 Developer Preview 1. Over the past few years, the company has opted for a February launch window for its Android releases. Google also confirmed that a stable version of Android 16 will arrive in Q2 2025. It plans to release another with new developer APIs in Q4 of next year.

Photo credit: Google

Google will offer six major releases of Android 16 before the final release in the second quarter of next year. A second developer preview will arrive in December, while a beta release will begin in January. Google is targeting platform stabilization in March and April, with the final release slated for May.

The first developer preview of Android 16 brings an embedded photo picker for apps. This functionality will give users a built-in way to give the app access to selected photos and videos from both local and cloud storage, rather than their entire media library.

Google is updating Health Connect in Android 16. With the update, Health Connect will let apps read and write medical records in FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) format. This API is currently part of the Early Access Program. Additionally, Android 16 includes the latest version of the privacy sandbox on Android.

Android 16 Developer Preview compatibility

Google Pixel 6a and newer models are eligible to receive the Android 16 update. The first developer preview with build number BP21.241018.009 will be available for Google Pixel 9 series, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Pixel 8 series, Pixel 8a, Pixel Fold, Pixel 7a, Pixel 7 series, Pixel 6 series and Pixel 6a. Over-the-air (OTA) images are also available for all these smartphones.

The developer preview of Android 16 can be installed on a system through the Android emulator in Android Studio.