Android 16 is now available for initial testers.
The full launch is expected to coincide with Google's I/O event.
Information has been released regarding what the next major version of Android will bring. Starting today, developers can access the first preview version of Android 16, which enhances app capabilities in terms of photo library and medical data sharing. Previously, a change was announced that accelerates the Android release schedule, which could benefit third-party phones launched in 2025 by eliminating the months-long wait for the latest updates.
Matthew McCullough, head of Android development, noted that this initial release marks the beginning of a series of more frequent API releases, as part of the company's effort to drive faster innovation in applications and devices. The provided preview allows developers to integrate the Android photo selector directly into their apps, making it easier to share images and videos without needing to grant full access to the device’s storage library or the cloud.
Additionally, the latest version of Privacy Sandbox has been incorporated, the developing solution that will replace the Android advertising ID. Regarding health, a preview of the Health Connect app has been introduced, which includes a preliminary version of APIs to support health records, allowing applications to read and write in FHIR formats. This could enable the exchange of information and medical records between apps and medical devices, always with the explicit consent of the user, similar to how health functionalities work on Apple devices.
According to the projected release schedule, the first public beta of Android 16 is expected to be available in January 2025, with a final release scheduled for after April, coinciding with Google’s annual I/O event, where the company typically showcases its latest Android updates and product features.
