What we all know thus far about upcoming options

Google switched issues up with Android 15 when it determined to decouple the platform replace from the Pixel 9 sequence. That call gave each the software program and {hardware} their very own respiration room and unbiased timelines. With the official steady Android 15 replace now out for the Pixel lineup, it’s time to sit up for what Google is cooking up for Android 16. Right here’s what we find out about Android 16 and the options we count on to see within the upcoming replace in 2025.

Android 16: Identify

Google used to call Android variations with dessert codenames, nevertheless it strayed away from that custom with the discharge of Android 10, selecting to stay with solely the model quantity for all future releases. Consequently, Android 16 might be recognized merely as “Android 16,” with no dessert codename formally used.

Nonetheless, Google nonetheless makes use of the dessert codename internally. Android 16’s inside codename leaked not too long ago as Baklava. That is fascinating as a result of Android 15’s codename was Vanilla Ice Cream, so that you’d suppose Android 16 could be generally known as one thing that begins with a “W” (“Waffle” would have been an excellent one). So why did Google leap from “V” all the best way again to “B?” It’s a bit sophisticated, nevertheless it primarily entails huge adjustments to Android’s backend.

Android 16 launch timeline

Google has confirmed that Android 16 is coming sooner than common, corroborating our launch date leak. The corporate has formally introduced that the following main launch of Android will launch in Q2 2025. This pertains to Android 16, indicating we may see a launch in April, Might, or June 2025.

Additional, the corporate has additionally talked about its intentions of releasing extra minor updates to the Android OS. For this, Google has deliberate a minor launch in This fall 2024, i.e., for Android 16, presumably taking the form of Android 16 QPR2.

Google has additionally talked about that it’ll “quickly start the developer preview and beta program for the Q2 main launch”

It is a stark departure from Android’s historical past, as Google often releases main variations of Android in Q3 or This fall of every 12 months. However there was nothing forcing Google to comply with this timeline — the corporate was merely following a launch cadence it had settled in over greater than a decade.

Whereas Google has not but shared any particulars about Android 16, we are able to begin portray an image of what we’ll get with the following replace, because of Google’s QPR updates.

Google’s QPR updates and what they inform us about future Android releases

The Android platform follows an annual launch schedule, which OEMs and the world at massive have entry to. Google additionally follows a second public launch schedule for its Pixel units within the type of QPR updates. QPR refers to Quarterly Platform Launch, which is an replace observe the place updates are launched as soon as each three months (quarter). So, we usually get an annual Android platform replace on Pixels, adopted by three QPR releases, after which the following annual Android platform replace.

Whereas the options included within the Android platform replace are remaining and out there to the world, options launched within the QPR updates can be found to Pixel units till the following Android platform replace incorporates them. Additional, Google additionally runs a separate beta program for the QPRs months upfront.

This offers us conditions the place we are able to check out new options which can be coming to Android 16 (by checking them out in Android 15 QPR1 betas) earlier than the steady Android 15 replace is even launched! Additional QPR betas give us much more options that may be chalked to the following platform launch.

Consequently, now we have an inventory of options which can be coming to imminent Android 15 QPR releases for Pixel units, that are additionally more likely to be added to the following Android platform replace, Android 16. Let’s test them out!

Desktop windowing

We’ve talked about desktop windowing earlier than as a leak, however Google formally launched the characteristic in Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 for the Pixel Pill. Google’s announcement doesn’t point out the discharge timeline, however we count on to see the characteristic within the wider Android 16 launch.

Desktop windowing permits customers to run a number of apps concurrently and resize app home windows, identical to we’re used to doing on typical desktops.

Google has mounted the taskbar’s place to the underside of the display. It may now present working apps and apps pinned by the consumer. There may be additionally a brand new header bar, which homes window controls.

Along with the introduced characteristic, there’s a new hidden toggle known as Allow desktop mode on secondary show, which replaces the previous Drive desktop mode toggle.

Redesigned Settings homepage

Android 15 Beta 3 included clues for a redesigned Settings homepage, however the adjustments didn’t go dwell in later betas. The brand new settings structure did go dwell in Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2, indicating that it’s presumably on observe for an Android 16 launch.

On the left is an instance of how the top-level web page appears on Android 14 and the proper picture exhibits the brand new structure in Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2.

Wealthy Ongoing Notifications

As we realized from clues inside Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3, Android 16 may introduce Wealthy Ongoing Notifications, a brand new API that lets apps present extra than simply an icon within the standing bar. The API will let apps create chips with their very own textual content and background colour that dwell within the standing bar, type of like the brand new display recording chips (talked about within the later elements of this text). It’s possible that tapping these chips will open some type of dialog supplied by the app that exhibits extra details about the continuing notification.

For instance, right here’s a gallery that exhibits what the Wealthy Ongoing Notifications API may very well be used for in Android 16, utilizing mock notifications for numerous apps like Uber, the United Airways app, and the Clock.

The characteristic seems impressed by iOS’s Dynamic Island, nevertheless it predates the characteristic. Android 12 added an API that lets dialer apps present the period of an ongoing name in a standing bar chip a full 12 months earlier than Apple launched its Dynamic Island characteristic. Android 16 opening up standing bar chips to all apps could be a significant growth of the characteristic.

Blocking previous notifications

Individuals who personal and use a number of Android units can relate to the notification flood that arrives every time they boot up the much less incessantly used system. Proper at boot, after the system establishes its web connection, you’ll obtain all notifications that weren’t delivered to this system, even when you’ve got checked out the notifications out of your different system.

Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 modified the best way Android handles these older notifications. The system now rejects notifications which can be greater than two weeks previous. These older notifications will solely present some particulars to let you realize which apps or contacts to inspect, however they are going to not provide you with a warning with a sound or vibration, and even present the total notification contents.

Compact heads-up notifications

If you’re bothered by simply how massive the heads-up notifications might be when watching full-screen content material, then Google is engaged on an answer. We noticed clues for compact heads-up notifications in Android 15 Beta 4, and the characteristic grew to become extra extensively out there with Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2.

You’ll be able to see the compact structure within the second set of notifications under.

Many of the textual content within the notification is truncated, and any embedded pictures are hidden by default till you faucet the dropdown arrow to broaden them. Nonetheless, the notification icon, notification title, and reply button are nonetheless proven for messaging apps like Telegram.

Notification cooldown

Android 15 Developer Preview 1 included a characteristic known as Notification cooldown, positioned at Settings > Notifications. When enabled, this characteristic would step by step decrease the quantity of successive notifications coming from the identical app. The characteristic prevents your telephone from going off wildly while you obtain plenty of notifications in a short time.

Nonetheless, Google eliminated the characteristic from Android 15 Beta 1. The characteristic has not returned but, however there’s proof inside Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 that it has not been deserted.

Beginning with the adjustments, the brand new chips for display recording and screencasting gives you a timer proper within the standing bar.

They may also allow you to cease the display recording or screencasting session with no need to drag down the standing bar. Tapping on the chip will open a dialog that can allow you to cease the session.

There’s additionally a distinct icon now to point when a third-party app requests to report or forged the display. The dialog extra prominently asks you whether or not you wish to “share your display” moderately than “begin recording or casting.”

The expertise is pretty purposeful, so we’re hoping to see it go dwell for the large platform with Android 16.

Fast Settings adjustments: Twin shade design, Classes, Resizing, and extra

Fast Settings is in for an overhaul with Android 16. Beginning off, Google is testing a new twin shade design for Android 16 that separates the Fast Settings panels from the notification shade, which we managed to activate in Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2.

Flattening the standing bar as soon as nonetheless brings down the notifications panel like earlier than, however the panel now takes up a few quarter of the display moderately than your entire factor. When you can’t see any Fast Settings tiles anymore within the new notifications dropdown, you’ll be able to see the app that’s beneath the panel.

Flattening the standing bar a second time not brings down the Fast Settings panel. As an alternative, the Fast Settings panel is accessed by flattening the standing bar with two fingers.

After pulling the Fast Settings panel down, you’ll be able to swipe left or proper between pages to see all of your tiles. The brightness bar nonetheless seems on the high, however now has a textual content label and exhibits the brightness degree as you modify it, just like the brand new quantity sliders in Android 15. Most Fast Settings tiles have been made smaller so extra of them can match on one web page, which is a welcome change.

Right here’s a video that demonstrates the brand new notification and Fast Settings panels described above:

Flexiglass is the interior codename for the rearchitecting that Google is doing to SystemUI to make it extra steady.

With Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3, we noticed extra adjustments. When the in-development Fast Settings panel is enabled, the Fast Settings tiles develop into resizable. You’ll be able to faucet on any tile whereas within the editor view after which drag the dot left or proper to shrink or broaden it. Tiles might be both 1×1 or 2×1 in dimension, permitting you to suit as few as eight or as many as 16 tiles on a single web page. You’ll be able to resize any tile, even ones supplied by third-party apps, although clearly, not each tile could have a helpful description when it’s expanded.

For comparability, right here’s a picture that exhibits the default Fast Settings structure in Android 15 vs Android 16:

And right here’s a picture that exhibits some extra Fast Settings panel layouts you’ll be capable to make because of this characteristic:

Right here’s a brief video that demonstrates the way you’ll be capable to resize Fast Settings tiles in Android 16:

Along with these adjustments, the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Fast Settings tiles may as soon as once more develop into one-click toggles. Should you discover within the screenshots above, the tiles for these two settings aren’t totally stuffed in for background colour like the opposite tiles have been. That’s for a motive: tapping the icon would toggle the respective setting because it did in Android 14 whereas tapping the remainder of the tile would open the panel because it does in Android 15.

Android 15 QPR1 Beta 1 additionally features a new animation while you long-press on the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Fast Settings tiles.

Alongside, Android 16 may also set up the Fast Settings tiles into classes. We noticed strings inside Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3 that counsel the Fast Settings panel will set up tiles into at most seven totally different classes. These classes embody Accessibility, Connectivity, Show, Privateness, Supplied by apps, Unknown, and Utilities. They are going to seem within the Fast Settings editor, just like what you’ll be able to see under:

The system gained’t present classes for which you may have already added the out there tiles.

Lock display widgets

Android used to permit lock display widgets in its early days, however the characteristic was eliminated in Android 5.0 Lollipop in 2014. Google has been engaged on bringing again lock display widget help, and Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 lastly provides them for the Pixel Pill.

To entry them, swipe inward from the proper fringe of the lock display. Then, faucet the “customise” card to open the widget editor, the place you’ll be able to add, take away, or reorder your widgets.

Stash notification bubbles

Google launched the Bubbles API with Android 11 in 2020, permitting messaging apps to open conversations in a floating window. The floating window sits on high of different apps so you’ll be able to rapidly see or reply to messages out of your favourite contacts. While you’re executed chatting, you’ll be able to decrease the floating window, which turns it right into a small, floating icon that you may later faucet to revive the window.

Bubbles are both all the time totally seen or hidden, with no in-between state. We managed to activate a 3rd state in Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2, known as “stashing.” Bubble stashing permits you to stash these notification bubbles to the facet of the display when they don’t seem to be in use.

This partially minimizes the bubble icon, so it takes up much less house on the display. Since this modification was noticed with Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 meant for Pixel units, it may very well be integrated into future variations of the Android platform.

Open any app in a floating bubble

Whereas the Bubbles characteristic talked about above is nice, it solely works for dialog notifications and might be opted out, so many apps don’t help it. Nonetheless, in principle, most Android apps ought to work simply positive when positioned inside a floating window. Code inside Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 suggests Google is testing this principle, because it contains references to a “bubble something” characteristic.

As soon as activated, the Pixel Launcher provides a “bubble” button to the context menu that seems while you press and maintain on any app on the house display. Tapping this button opens the app — it doesn’t matter what it’s — in a floating bubble, as you’ll be able to see under.

Right here’s a video demonstrating what Android’s new “bubble something” characteristic mixed with the upcoming bubble bar will appear like on tablets:

Since this modification was noticed with Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 meant for Pixel units, it may very well be integrated into future variations of the Android platform.

Gemini button on the lock display

We’ve noticed a flag inside Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 that presumably permits one other method to invoke Gemini, this time via a lock display button. This flag controls the presence of a button on the lock display that, when tapped, doesn’t do something proper now however may possible set off the AI assistant (given the flicker icon).

The button is pill-shaped and sits proper under the fingerprint reader. It’s bigger than the 2 lock display shortcuts on the backside and has a sparkle icon within the center.

Since this modification was noticed with Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 meant for Pixel units, it may very well be integrated into future variations of the Android platform.

Do Not Disturb mode adjustments, introduction of Precedence mode, and renaming to Modes

Google is working to supercharge Android’s Do Not Disturb mode with a brand new Precedence mode. We noticed in depth clues inside Android 15 QPR1 Beta 1, indicating that Google is planning to rename the Do Not Disturb mode entry level, tweak its UI, add a brand new Fast Settings tile, and introduce many different customization choices.

The brand new DND mode UI that we activated has new toggles to allow grayscale mode, disable the always-on show, dim the wallpaper, and allow the darkish theme. These 4 choices reap the benefits of the brand new ZenDeviceEffects API.

The scheduling choices from DND mode are being transferred to a customized Precedence Mode. This new Precedence Modes menu permits you to create a totally customized DND mode schedule with its personal identify, icon, activation set off, show settings, and notification settings.

There’s additionally a brand new Fast Settings tile for the Precedence Mode, which co-exists alongside the DND mode tile.

With Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2, Google modified some behaviors associated to Precedence mode and in addition gave us a deeper look. The Fast Settings tile opens a dialog that permits you to rapidly select which Precedence Modes to allow and tells you what number of are enabled, if any.

The updates to the Precedence Modes menu in Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 begins with the brand new intro display for the preexisting modes, Occasion and Sleeping. At the moment, although, the graphic used for every intro display is a placeholder, however Google will possible replace these in a future launch. One other change to the menu in QPR1 Beta 2 is the brand new UI for customizing the activation set off and notification settings. As well as, the mode icon now lights up when it’s turned on.

Google has additionally added many new icons to select from when making a customized Precedence Mode. When you can’t add your personal icon, Android now affords 40 icons to select from in QPR1 Beta 2.

In Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3, “Precedence Modes” has been rebranded to only “Modes.” Google additionally added an icon within the standing bar, lock display, and AOD to correspond to the present mode that’s enabled, making it a lot simpler to inform at a look.

Google additionally barely tweaked the UI for the dialog that seems while you faucet the Fast Settings tile. Modes are actually displayed in a single-column, vertically scrolling record as a substitute of a dual-column record.

One other small tweak is that the Fast Settings tile itself now shows the icon of the primary mode that you just allow. It additionally exhibits the identify of the primary mode however switches to the variety of modes energetic if multiple is enabled. Talking of which, in the event you ever have multiple mode enabled, then solely the primary one’s icon will seem on the standing bar, lock display, and AOD.

Since this modification was noticed with Android 15 QPR1 Beta 1, Beta 2, and Beta 3 meant for Pixel units, it will likely be integrated into future variations of the Android platform.

Extra enhancements to the display recording system

Android 16 may enhance the display recorder and display caster indicator chips. We noticed and activated the change in Android 15 Beta 4.2, however the adjustments may arrive on Android 15 in a future QPR launch and, thus, on the broader platform with Android 16. The chips additionally grew to become extra extensively out there in QPR1 Beta 2, indicating a possible launch for the QPR replace after which on Android 16.

For one, the brand new chips for display recording and screencasting gives you a timer proper within the standing bar.

They may also allow you to cease the display recording or screencasting session with no need to drag down the standing bar. Tapping on the chip will open a dialog that can allow you to cease the session.

There’s additionally a distinct icon now to point when a third-party app requests to report or forged the display. The dialog extra prominently asks you whether or not you wish to “share your display” moderately than “begin recording or casting.”

The expertise is pretty purposeful, nevertheless it stays anybody’s guess when it truly arrives. With Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2, the system stops display shares initiated by third-party apps while you lock the system.

App switcher throughout partial display sharing

Android 15 introduces a extra personal display recording system that permits you to report or forged a single app as a substitute of your whole display. Nonetheless, if you have to change the app you might be recording or casting, it’s a must to finish the present session and begin a brand new one.

We noticed a flag inside Android 15’s supply code that permits a “process switcher characteristic for partial display sharing.” After enabling this flag, while you begin display recording or display casting an app after which swap to a distinct app, a brand new notification seems.

This notification informs the consumer that “sharing pauses while you swap apps.” The notification has two buttons: “share this app as a substitute” and “swap again.” Tapping “swap again” launches the app with which the display recording or casting session was began. Tapping “share this app as a substitute” does nothing, although, because it seems the duty switcher characteristic for partial display sharing isn’t totally purposeful but. It’s attainable that this characteristic may get activated for Android 16.

Android permits you to navigate its UI utilizing keyboard shortcuts. As a result of there are such a lot of keyboard shortcuts out there, Android additionally has a devoted menu itemizing them.

To assist make the keyboard shortcut menu simpler to make use of on tablets, Google may add the menu to the facet navigation rail. We discovered code for this in Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2, and right here’s what it might appear like:

The redesigned keyboard shortcut menu ought to thus be simpler to make use of on tablets for the reason that shortcut classes might be nearer to the left fringe of the show. Because the change was noticed in Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 meant for Pixel units, it may very well be integrated into future variations of the Android platform.

Touchpad gesture tutorial

We noticed a new tutorial for touchpad gestures in Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2. Google has created customized animations that specify how a few of Android’s touchpad gestures work. These animations simulate the gesture used to return (swiping left or proper with three fingers), the gesture to go dwelling (swiping up with three fingers), and the gesture to open the app drawer (urgent the motion key on the keyboard).

It additionally created a notification that seems when the consumer connects a touchpad for the primary time, inviting them to attempt the gestures.

Though Android additionally helps gestures to open the current apps display (swiping up with three fingers, then holding), open the notifications panel (swiping down with three fingers), and swap between apps (swiping left or proper with 4 fingers), the tutorial in Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 doesn’t point out all of those. It’s possible that Google isn’t completed with this tutorial simply but and that it will likely be up to date in a future beta.

Because the change was noticed in Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 meant for Pixel units, it may very well be integrated into future variations of the Android platform.

Enhancements to Superior Safety Mode

Superior Safety Mode supplies an additional layer of safety for individuals who have worthwhile knowledge of their Google accounts. This system is focused at customers who’re at an elevated threat of getting hacked, like IT admins, journalists, activists, enterprise executives, and politicians. Should you enroll within the Superior Safety Program, then you definitely’re pressured to make use of a safety key or passkey to signal into your Google account, you’re prevented from downloading information that Google Chrome marks as dangerous, and also you’re blocked from giving unapproved (by Google) apps entry to your Google account knowledge.

In your Android system, Google Play Defend will keep enabled, will block you from putting in apps from outdoors the Google Play Retailer or different preinstalled apps, and can even warn you about apps on the Play Retailer that haven’t been permitted by Google.

Commerce-in mode for ADB

Commerce-ins can take plenty of time, partially as a result of each telephone that has been traded in must be inspected. Non-functional units are straightforward to examine since they both have cracks that disqualify them or don’t boot up, however purposeful units have to be booted up and run via a sequence of exams to substantiate that they’re functioning correctly. To ensure that the exams to run, the system must undergo the setup display like a brand-new telephone after which allow ADB debugging, which is buried deep within the Settings menu. Whereas most of those screens might be skipped within the setup, it nonetheless provides up time, however enabling ADB debugging can’t be prevented.

Android 16 may add a new trade-in mode to ADB, which might enable a really restricted model of ADB to be out there to Android units proper on the primary display of the setup wizard. This can make it simpler for technicians to run automated diagnostics for system inspections.

The setup wizard will allow ADB trade-in mode and can disable it after setup has been accomplished. The technician can use ADB trade-in mode to place the system into an “analysis mode” and bypass the setup, however it would additionally drive a manufacturing unit reset on the following boot. Alternatively, one other command might be run to retrieve diagnostic details about the system and see if it passes an attestation problem.

Pixel: Current apps in taskbar

On Pixel foldables and tablets, the Android taskbar at the moment exhibits six apps pinned to the dock and two steered apps. Though the Pixel Launcher suggests apps primarily based in your not too long ago used apps, they’re additionally primarily based on these you most incessantly use and your “routines.”

Within the above video, you’ll be able to see the 2 steered apps getting changed with the 2 most not too long ago used apps.

Since this modification was noticed with Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 meant for Pixel units, it may very well be integrated into future variations of the Android platform. Many Android producers already spotlight not too long ago used apps within the taskbar, so this modification will profit the Android platform at massive.

Pixel: Manually set 80% charging restrict

Google Pixel smartphones have an Adaptive Charging characteristic that screens your charging habits and limits charging to 80% till about one hour earlier than the system predicts you’ll unplug your telephone. This characteristic may very well be up to date so as to add an choice to manually cap charging at 80%.

The characteristic was noticed in Android 15 Beta 42 and rolled out extra extensively with Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2, so it would possible attain Pixel units in a future QPR replace or with Android 16.

Smaller adjustments

There are many smaller adjustments that we count on might be out there in Android 16, primarily based on leaked options:

• Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 contains an depth slider for colour correction settings. This slider permits you to tweak the depth of the colour stability adjustments throughout the colour correction modes.
• Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 contains customizations for the mouse pointer. These embody a brand new pointer fill fashion selector, a pointer stroke fashion selector, and a pointer scale slider. They are often discovered underneath Settings > System > Touchpad & mouse.
• Android 15 QPR1 Beta 1 and Beta 2 embody a new keyboard switcher button. This button seems as a wireframe globe positioned underneath the keys and to the proper of the disguise button. The switcher dialog additionally appears extra trendy and is positioned a lot decrease on the display to make it simpler to pick out with one hand.
• Android 15 QPR1 Beta 1 included new strings describing a settings web page for exterior shows. Beta 2 included the change for the Exterior Show web page. This web page permits the consumer to regulate the show decision and rotation of exterior shows which can be related to a Pixel 8 sequence or Pixel 9 sequence system.
• Android 15 QPR1 Beta 1 features a new predictive again gesture animation for the keyboard.

These are all of the adjustments we count on to see within the Android 16 platform replace in 2025. Tell us your favourite upcoming characteristic within the feedback under!