Android 16 Rolls Out: New Features and What's Still to Come

Android 16 begins rolling out today to Pixel devices

After months of speculation and beta testing, Google is rolling out Android 16 starting today. The new software will arrive first on Pixel phones, but you can expect to see updates on other phones in the coming weeks -- or more likely months. For those with Pixel devices, the OTA should begin appearing soon. If you just can't wait, Google will have system images and update files on its developer pages. You probably don't need to get up in arms about potential delays, though. Like other recent Android updates, there aren't many changes bundled into this version. Many of the most interesting changes are coming later this year. Android 16 is here Despite the light feature set at launch, there are a few things of note. Right at the top of the list is a cleaner notification shade. Google launched bundled notifications in Android 7.0 Nougat, which has helped to clean up phones ever since. With Android 16, Google is stepping up notification bundling by forcing it on apps. Now, multiple notifications from a single app will be merged together into a single expandable item. Neat. Google is also adding live update notifications, which can keep you abreast of progress in select apps. This feature is starting with support for several rideshare and delivery apps, which will be able to indicate status using a small icon in the status bar. Tapping it expands to a pop-up notification with a live progress bar. Google says it's working with Samsung and OnePlus to integrate this capability with the Now Bar and Live Alerts, respectively. This release also brings Advanced Protection to all Android 16 devices, building on the account-level Advanced Protection system that was already available. When enabled, your phone won't connect to older 2G networks, blocks sites that don't have modern security features, and prevents USB devices from accessing the system. For a little more fun, you'll be able to create emojis in Emoji Kitchen using the Pixel Studio app, which uses generative AI to create your next emoji. Developers will find a good number of behind-the-scenes changes, which could lead to better app experiences if widely adopted. In light of Google's expanding interest in foldables and tablets, apps targeting Android 16 (API level 36) will automatically fill larger screens. This should make it easier for developers to implement more useful interfaces for bigger screens, which Google strongly suggests they do. Expanded camera features will let apps use night mode detection, hybrid auto-exposure, motion photos, and more. Android will also capture HDR screenshots in supported apps. And as always, Google says it's tightening restrictions on background processes. This will undoubtedly break some apps, but devices will be a little more efficient. Cool stuff: Coming soon Google seems to have increasingly abandoned its past strategy of pulling together big features for Android releases. It announced the new Material 3 Expressive design language last month, but that's not rolling out with Android 16. Instead, that will be arriving on Pixel phones first later this year. Google doesn't have a timeline for the more colorful take on Android, but the developer documentation urges app makers to begin making plans for the change. The long-rumored desktop mode for Android is also becoming a reality... later this year. Google worked with Samsung to build on the latter's Android windowing system, known as DeX. This will allow tablets to use floating windows more like a computer, which will make multitasking less of a pain. The eventual rollout will also bring some windowing fun to phones -- Android 16 will enable a phone or tablet to project a desktop interface on a connected external display. In addition to a raft of feature updates planned for later in 2025, this is the first Android update that is part of Google's revised release schedule. In the past, new versions of Android would launch in the fall, right around when Google released new Pixel phones (or Nexus phones, if you go back far enough). Now, Google says it intends to do a major release in late spring, with a smaller update for APIs and features at the end of the year. So, despite a relative lack of headlining features, this is Android's "big" 2025 update. There are some things to look forward to, but most of the flashy fun will come some months down the line. And a Pixel Drop Alongside the Android 16 update, Google is announcing a new Pixel Drop. Like Android 16, there isn't a ton here. Google says Expressive Captions are coming to the UK, Australia, and Canada, which is nice but should not require a system update. There's also better support for hearing aids and live search in the magnifier app. The only really notable change in the Pixel Drop is the addition of Pixel VIPs, which is an enhancement of the traditional favorite contacts. The contacts you designate as VIPs will be available on a home screen widget and listed in a new interface that includes recent messages (from Messages and WhatsApp), personal info you've added (like birthdays), and the contact's location (if shared). Your VIPs can also bypass Do Not Disturb in both Messages and WhatsApp. The new Pixel Drop features are coming to phones with the Android 16 update, but these additions are only for Pixels.

The Top New Android 16 Features

Android 16 is now available for select phones today. Here are the features we're most excited about. Another year, another version of Google's mobile operating system. Android 16 brings a whole new look (Apple also just announced a redesign in iOS 26), more customization options, some chunky security enhancements, and a few welcome accessibility improvements. Android 16 is rolling out to select devices today -- these are the new features that caught our eye. Google officially ditched the delicious dessert names for Android years ago with Android 10, but it still uses them internally. Android 15 was Vanilla Ice Cream, and Android 16 is codenamed Baklava. These are the features and improvements coming in Android 16 we're most excited about. You can learn more at Google's developer site, and make sure to read our interview with Google's Android chief about his hopes for the platform. Google is introducing real-time tracking into your Android notifications for services, like food delivery and navigation. Instead of having to open up the relevant app, you'll see live updates in the notification showing when your Uber will arrive or what turn to take next if you're traveling somewhere using directions. These Live Updates will be the top notification and also appear on the Always-on Display, so you can see at a glance when your food will arrive via an app like DoorDash. Pull down to expand the notification, and you'll see a progress bar and quick links to actions, such as the option to call or message the driver. Similar to Live Activities in Apple's iOS, Live Updates may be implemented slightly differently by each manufacturer. Samsung apparently plans to roll Live Updates into its Now Bar that sits at the bottom of the lock screen, while OnePlus will integrate them into its existing Live Alerts system. This new extra-secure mode in Android 16 is for at-risk folks, like public figures, journalists, and activists, who need extra protection for their digital lives. Google's Advanced Protection already exists for Google accounts, but now extends to Android 16, imposing tough security settings on apps and services to keep your data safe. It includes checks on memory to block exploits, USB protection, and guards against unsafe websites and spam calls and messages. A later release will add intrusion detection by keeping a permanent end-to-end encrypted log from your device in the cloud, which can be shared and analyzed by a security expert if you suspect there's a problem. Sadly, fraud is big business. Most folks have seen a scam on their phone at some point, whether disguised as tech support, a prize, or a crypto investment opportunity. Google is using on-device AI to spot scam texts with the Scam Detection feature in Google Messages. It runs locally on-device, so no message content is shared, and shows a pop-up warning to folks when it discovers a suspected scam, warning them of the risk and offering the opportunity to report and block the scammer. Some permissions will also be blocked during phone calls, so scammers can no longer walk people through the process to sideload a malicious app. Health Connect enables different health, fitness, and wellbeing apps to share data covering your health in certain categories (Activity, Body Measurement, Cycle Tracking, Nutrition, Sleep, and Vitals). Google is now adding support for Electronic Health Records (EHRs) using the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) standard widely used by healthcare providers. It's unclear exactly how this will work or what data it will include, but it may make sharing health records easier. As one of the newest Bluetooth features, Auracast enables audio streaming to hearing aids and other supported devices in public spaces. Several people can use it to connect to the same audio stream simultaneously and get audio from TVs in public spaces like the gym, for example, or stream audio directly to hearing aids at a public concert. Android 16 supports broadcasting, so you can go to Settings > Connected devices > Audio sharing and choose to share audio from your device with nearby devices that support Bluetooth LE Audio, which includes Auracast. While some apps restrict resizing and screen orientation, Google is removing this default capability in Android 16. Every app should now adapt to different screen sizes and aspect ratios, including tablets and folding phones. Google also wants developers to ensure that app content is displayed edge to edge. Google is redacting content in sensitive notifications, such as One-Time Passwords (OTPs), when it detects the potential risk of someone else seeing the notification. This might be if you are not connected to your home Wi-Fi and haven't unlocked your phone in a while. For folks with low vision and reduced contrast sensitivity, Google is detecting text that might be an issue and drawing a high-contrast color box underneath it to ensure the text is as legible as possible. There are a couple of notable new features for folks using Bluetooth LE Audio hearing aids with Android 16. First is the option to switch between the built-in microphones on the hearing aids and the microphone on your phone for voice calls. Second is the ability to adjust the ambient sound volume picked up by your hearing aid's microphones. Both could prove helpful in noisy environments with a lot of background noise. Google is pushing a host of small camera improvements in Android 16 for keen photographers. There's hybrid auto exposure, allowing a balance of automatic and manual ISO and exposure control, precise color temperature and tint adjustments, better night mode support for apps, and support for Ultra HDR images in the HEIC file format. Google is also adding the Advanced Professional Video (APV) codec for higher-quality video recording and post-processing. Have you ever wished Android was more like Windows? Support for desktop windowing, enabling you to run multiple apps simultaneously, is in the works. Multitaskers will be able to resize windows, and the new feature will work seamlessly with split screen (just like the new iPadOS 26!). Google is also adding connected display support, so you can attach an external display to your Android device and discover the joys of a dual screen setup. Currently part of the developer preview, this won't come to your Android tablet until later this year. The latest evolution of Google's Android design language is Material 3 Expressive. While it's not a complete overhaul, it is giving Android a facelift with fresh new animations, better haptic feedback, more dynamic color themes, impactful fonts, and more chances to personalize your Android device. Google has done its homework, drawing on 46 studies with more than 18,000 participants to make changes that people of all ages approved. Before you get too excited, Material 3 Expressive won't be part of the June release, instead rolling out on Pixel phones first, later this year, and then on other Android devices. Impatient folks may get a sneak peek by signing up for the Android Beta Program.

I upgraded to Android 16 - here's what I love and what's still missing

Two of Google's most anticipated features for Android 16 were pushed back. I'm here to tell you why that's OK. Android 16 looked to be one of the most impressive upgrades to the mobile operating system in recent times. Google teased some seriously cool features that would elevate Android to the next level. However, although some of those expected features made their way to the final release, some did not. Because some of the more hotly anticipated features have yet to materialize, Android 16 seems (on the surface) to be kinda blah. But don't be fooled. Even though the big UI changes were held back, there's still a lot to love about what was released. Also: Your Android phone just got a major feature upgrade for free - including these Pixel models One thing to keep in mind is that Google released Android 16 early. Usually, those major updates are held back until late summer/fall. (Android 15 was released in September 2024.) Why did Google release this latest update three months early? It's pretty simple: With new Android devices set to release this summer, it's now a safe bet they'll ship with the latest release. When the Pixel 9 line of phones was released last year, they shipped with Android 14 because 15 wasn't ready. That was a big disappointment to Pixel fans everywhere. To avoid this, Google released a "version" of Android 16 to ensure it would be ready for the release of the Pixel 10 phones. In addition, Google has decided to speed up the release of Android, with two releases each year (probably so they can ensure the latest Pixel devices always have the latest version). With that out of the way, let's first talk about what I love in Android 16. OK, the "what's to love" section is a bit thin at the moment. But that doesn't mean it's not important, because Android 16 brings a few new features that are key to user security. With Android 16, securing your phone became a whole lot easier. Within Settings > "Security & privacy," you'll find an entry called Advanced Protection. When enabled, this all-or-nothing security feature helps defend against online attacks, malicious applications, insecure connections, and other threats. But, like I said, this is all-or-nothing. When you enable Advanced Protection, it's all in, and you can't customize it. That's fine for the majority of users, but you'll want to understand three things: Also: I test tablets for a living and this is the Samsung tablet I recommend the most Unless you have a good reason not to enable Advanced Protection, I highly recommend you do so (it does require a restart). There's also less clutter in the notification shade now because notifications are automatically bundled for each app. This will help to keep your notifications organized and looking less like an alphabet soup of information. Android 16 also improves battery life. With Pixel devices, there's even a new "Battery health" page (Settings > Battery > Battery health) that displays your battery percentage, allows you to change charging optimization and enable battery health assistance, and gives you battery health tips. Also: How to clear your Android phone's cache and make it feel like new Speaking of battery, Android 16 better uses AI to help optimize your battery, so you'll get even more usage from a full charge. I've noticed the difference. Thanks to Android's AI, I'm finding my battery drains a bit slower than it did in Android 15. Since upgrading, I've consistently ended my day (which, granted, comes around 6 p.m. when I dock my phone) in the 70% area (as opposed to the 60% range). For those who use the Linux system on Android, the terminal app now has a tabbed interface, which is really handy. With the tabbed UI, you can run an SSH session in one tab while doing other things in other tabs. OK, now that I've told you about some of the features that found their way into Android 16, let's talk about what didn't. The big thing missing is Material 3 Expressive. This was supposed to be the big change for Android, building on Material Design and adding more naturally feeling animations, new icon shapes, background blur effects, improved color themes, home screen enhancements, and UI redesigns for many Google apps. I was excited about this feature (especially the background blur effects), but alas, it has yet to arrive. When will it arrive? The closest estimation is "later this year." If I had to guess, Material 3 Expressive will arrive in time for the Pixel 10 release. Surely Google wants to provide the full Android 16 experience with its new devices; otherwise, it would be perceived as a failure to deliver. Also: Why the Android 16 design overhaul has me more excited than ever Another big feature that's missing in this first Android 16 release is Desktop Mode, similar to Samsung's DeX mode. Desktop Mode is exactly what it sounds like: Plug your Android Phone into an external display, and you'll experience a desktop-like environment. Sadly, not yet. You won't even find the "Enable desktop experience features" option in Settings > System > Developer options (which is where it was in the beta). Looks like we're going to have to wait for those two features (which were often touted as the biggest new additions to Android 16). In this never-ending cycle of releases, it gets harder and harder to remain patient. I'm fairly certain we'll see these two big features arrive when the Pixel 10 devices are released, so it should only be a few short months. Even so, those two missing pieces make the release of Android 16 feel a bit uninspired. When those two additions find their way into the OS, however, it will feel like a brand new OS. Also: With Android 16, the Linux terminal gets all the space it needs Get the morning's top stories in your inbox each day with our Tech Today newsletter.

6 big features missing on Android 16

Android 16 is out for Pixel phones. It's headlining features? They are missing in action. Google's big Android 16 update has arrived a tad early in the year -- and that's good news as we get to play with new software a little ahead of schedule. It also means that the upcoming Pixel flagships will likely ship with the latest Android update out of the box, unlike last year. While the Pixel 10 series may get Android 16 at launch, the latest version still misses several noteworthy features in the stable release. Android 16 brings a lot of under-the-hood changes for all Android flagships (not just Pixels), but the more user-facing changes we all have been eagerly waiting for? Yeah, you will have to wait a little longer. A big draw of the new Android version is the updated theming engine -- a step up from the older Material You we've come to know and love from previous Android versions. It's more colorful, more personalized, and Google has even played around with text, shapes, and transparency to make it feel more modern. Justifying the 'Expressive' tag in its name, this Material You iteration is quite a sensory experience. Animations look bouncier, elements follow nice motion physics, and haptic feedback brings everything to life. It would've been even better if it launched with the first Android 16 stable release -- but alas, we'll have to wait a bit longer. Remember when Google introduced Live Updates in Android 16 to mimic iPhone-style, omnipresent notifications? Yeah, that too isn't fully available yet. The only working part right now is the live progress bar feature in apps like ride-hailing and food-delivery services. So, you can see exactly where your order is while you impatiently stare at the front door. But the fancier bits -- like the persistent iPhone-style chip and lock screen updates that rely on always-on display -- are still a few months away. The silver lining is that more app developers will have time to update their apps to support the feature before the full experience rolls out. At least we can hope for that to happen. We've long wanted Google to roll out a Samsung DeX-style desktop mode for a full-fledged PC-like experience using just your phone and an external monitor. And every year, we get teased that it's just around the corner. This year is no different, sadly. Instead of copying Samsung, Google pulled a boss move and partnered with it. The result? A functional, PC-like windowed experience for Android apps, while your phone or tablet remains accessible separately. Our own Mishaal Rahman even put together a detailed guide if you want to dive deeper. The feature will be supported by the Pixel 8 and newer devices, though once it rolls out later this year. Google Photos is already one of the most powerful image editors on smartphones -- it's actually surprising how many features Google has packed into such a simple app. However, the app's gotten cluttered over the years as more AI tools were added on top of existing ones. With Android 16, the image editor is getting a major redesign, both in terms of visuals and usability. The interface looks more modern and matches the expressive Material You design. And of course, there are AI-powered suggestions in the form of chips that appear directly on the image, so you don't have to dig through menus. Lock screens have become the new playground for self-expression across Android and iOS with flashy images and fancy clock layouts. With Android 16, Google wants to make your lock screen pop with Magic Portraits -- with your photos peeking through clover and other fun shapes. They look damn cool when photos lift out of those cutouts using depth information! There's a nice little animation too as you move from the lock screen to the home screen. I've played around with the feature using my own photos, but Joe Maring's Magic Portrait of his dog? That one's adorable to the Pro Max degree -- no comparisons. I just can't wait for everyone to get their hands on this and go bonkers with what they can create. The Quick Settings panel is also in for a big revamp in Android 16, in addition to Android getting a fresh coat of paint overall. Mixed tile shapes that don't look jarring, their customizable sizes, and matching sliders for volume and brightness are all coming to your Pixel. Google even updated the status bar icons for battery, Wi-Fi, etc., moving from solid, filled icons to more nuanced designs. And yes, Google borrowed iOS's dual-shade pull-down menu -- swipe down from the left for notifications and the right for Quick Settings. But you'll still have the option to stick with the single gesture for both like we do it now. Once again, though, if you just updated your Pixel to Android 16 stable, you won't see any of this yet. Google didn't cram all its flashy new features into the first stable Android 16 release. Instead, it's spreading them out across the year and releasing them via Pixel Drops. Many of the features above are part of the Android 16 QPR1 beta that rolled out last month, with the second beta bringing the new desktop mode for you to check out. There's no official timeline yet, but it'll likely be a few months before everything drops. Mishaal predicts an early September release for Android 16 QPR1's general release, which could coincide with the Pixel 10's speculated release. And while a lot of this is missing, sure, there's still plenty to explore in Android 16 as is. You can check out our full review to see how your Pixel is set for a big upgrade already.

Android 16 & June Pixel Drop Are Here: Everything You Need to Know

Summary Android 16 rolls out with Live Updates, notification grouping, and improved hearing aid support. Tablet users get desktop windowing, custom shortcuts, and an enhanced taskbar in Android 16. The June Pixel Drop adds VIP contacts, AI sticker creation, and expanded accessibility features. Google hasn't shied away from talking about Android 16, but after months of teasing, it's finally stable and rolling out to devices. This update is laying the groundwork for the Material 3 Expressive redesign while introducing a handful of nice features in the meantime. You know the feeling of constantly checking your food delivery app, wondering where your order is? Android 16's "Live Updates" should help you with that anxiety. Now, compatible ride-share and food delivery apps can provide real-time updates right in the notification shade, so you'll always know exactly where your driver or your dinner is without needing to open the app. This functionality will be making its way to Samsung's Now Bar and OPPO and OnePlus' Live Alerts. Speaking of the notification shade, if yours is usually a chaotic mess, you're in luck. Android 16 will automatically group notifications from a single app into one neat notification. This is essentially how Gmail has always displayed multiple emails in a single, expandable notification, but now it's for all apps. For those who use hearing aids, Android 16 brings some big improvements. Previously, LE audio hearing devices relied on their built-in front-facing mics, which are designed to pick up the sound of the person you're speaking to, not your own voice. Now, you can switch to using your phone's microphone for clearer calls, especially in noisy environments. On top of that, Android 16 is introducing native control for hearing devices, giving you easy access to things like volume control right from your phone. Close If you're a tablet user, Android 16 has some goodies for you, too. Google teamed up with Samsung to bring desktop windowing to Android 16, a much nicer way to interact with apps on larger screens. Beyond the usual single app and split-screen modes, you'll be able to open, move, and resize multiple app windows on one screen, just like you would on a desktop computer. This desktop windowing feature will be rolling out on compatible devices later this year. In addition, you'll also get custom keyboard shortcuts, letting you create your own hotkey combinations, and a taskbar overflow feature that should help you find the app you need when your taskbar gets crowded. Future updates promise even more productivity perks, including the ability to connect tablets and phones to an external display for desktop windowing. Android 16 is rolling out to Pixel devices starting today. The Material 3 Expressive redesign will not be coming to phones until later this year. However, that's not all the goodies for today -- the June Pixel Drop is here as well. First up, you can keep your close contacts even closer with "Pixel VIPs." This Pixel-exclusive widget is essentially an expanded version of "Priority Contacts." To get the most out of it, fill in as many details as you can -- birthdays, emails, addresses, and preferences. You'll be able to see your last call and message with them (even from some third-party apps), see their shared location, and get updates on events like birthdays. VIPs can also bypass Do Not Disturb. Close Gboard's stickers are getting more personal with Pixel Studio. Using Gemini AI, you can come up with almost anything you can imagine right from Gboard. Just type in your prompt, pick an emotion, and send it, all without jumping between apps. You can even turn photos from your camera roll into stickers with the background removed, leaving just your chosen subject. Close Google is also expanding the availability of some existing Pixel features. Satellite SOS is now live in Australia. The Recorder app now offers AI-generated summaries of your recordings in both French and German. And for Pixel 8 users, the Recorder app's Clear Voice feature lets you eliminate background noise for crystal-clear audio. There's also a new "education hub" within the Pixel's camera app. Just tap the question mark icon in the upper right corner for how-to instructions for each mode. Accessibility is getting some new features, too. You can now use live search in the Magnifier app to learn more about your surroundings without taking a picture. Just type in what you're looking for, and Magnifier will highlight matches on your screen as you move your phone. You'll feel a subtle vibration when it finds something. Also, "Expressive Captions" understand the intensity and emotion conveyed through speech, and it can capture elongated words like "noooooo." As mentioned, Android 16 and the June Pixel Drop are rolling out to Pixel devices starting today. The full Material Expressive redesign will be coming later this year, likely along with the Pixel 10 series. More brands will begin getting Android 16 later this year as well. Source: Google (1, 2) Related Google's Massive Android Redesign Looks Great, But Who Will See It? Fun colors and squiggly lines only go so far. Posts 1

Google just launched Android 16 -- plus a bunch of other useful software upgrades

Google promised that Android 16 would arrive early, and it looks like it's kept that promise. The company just confirmed that Android 16 will be launching today, rolling out to Pixel phones with all the latest features and upgrades. But that's not to say non-Pixels will be left out. Those of you with a different Android phone, which can't get Android 16 just yet, will also be able to enjoy new Android ecosystem updates -- with extra features coming to various Google apps. The big update coming with Android 16 is the new Live Updates feature. Essentially an Android version of Live Activities on iPhone, this is a special kind of notification that shows you real-time updates from various compatible apps. Google specifically mentions ride shares and delivery apps, but presumably this could also be expanded to more important things like flight status, or less urgent things like sports scores. On top of this, Google will be grouping notifications from the same apps together, to help you from being continually disturbed and having to dismiss a bunch of stuff just because your neighbors keep walking past your doorbell camera. Android 16 also adds support for hearing aids with LE audio, letting you connect them to your phone and enjoy clearer calls in noisy environments. This update also includes native controls for hearing aids, designed to make the control process easier to access and more consistent. Google has promised even strong protection in Android 16, designed to protect you from harmful apps, websites, scam calls and more -- with it all activating with a single tap. It's also been confirmed that Desktop windowing will be coming to "large screen devices" later this year -- with a developer preview coming in Android 16 QPR 3 beta 2. That phrase usually means tablets and foldables, rather than big-screen phones. Google likens this feature to Samsung's DeX, which means this is essentially an official desktop mode -- complete with resizable app windows and multiple screen modes. This will also come with customizable keyboard shortcuts. Regardless of whether you upgrade to Android 16 or not, Pixel owners also have the June Pixel Drop to look forward to. The big update here is the new Pixel VIP widget, which is tied to your contacts app. This helps you stay better connected with the people you talk to most. This includes seeing your latest calls and messages (which includes WhatsApp support), as well as updates for birthdays and anniversaries. Designated VIPs will also be able to bypass Do Not Disturb mode, which could also be useful to ensure emergency contacts can get through at any time. Pixel Studio is gaining the ability to create custom stickers for your phone, made using generative AI and the same prompts you'd use before. It's not quite Apple's Genmoji feature, but it's pretty close. Also coming is an accessibility feature called Expressive Captions. This adds more detailed captions to videos, with the ability to recognize nuance in a speaker's voice. Better still, it also works with live and streaming content, not just pre-recorded video. The Magnifier app will also start working in real time, thanks to the addition of Live Search, rather than forcing you to take a photo first. Google Photos will now show you all the AI-powered tools available when you circle, brush or tap on something that needs editing. Meanwhile Emoji Kitchen now includes brand new sticker combinations to help remix different emojis that can be shared as stickers. Anyone that signs up for the Public preview will also be able to pin Google Home favorites to their devices to make it easier to manage your home. Updates for those with and without a Pixel phone, regardless of whether you upgrade to Android 16 or not. The first of these is new features for RCS group chats in Google messages. Now you'll be able to set custom icons and mute specific chat notifications for however long you feel like. Safety Check timers can now be extended more easily, with a single tap on your phone or smartwatch, which saves you from creating a new one. Wear OS watches will also get better transit support, meaning Google Wallet is always ready to pay your fares without having to open the app first.

More Personal and Accessible Android 16 Arrives Today

Just one day after Apple unveiled iOS 26 with its "Liquid Glass" aesthetic and redesigned camera app, Google unveiled the next major Android release, Android 16. Android 16 ushers in the foundation for what Google calls its new "Material 3 Expressive" design. Originally unveiled last month, Material 3 Expressive aims to make user's devices, whether smartphones or smartwatches, more personalized, fluid, and easier to use. Material 3 Expressive promises to let users make their devices extremely personal and customized. "Material 3 Expressive feels even more fluid and introduces a system of more natural, springy animations meant to bring a moment of delight to everyday routines," Google promises. The company also promises to bring even more Material 3 Expressive design updates to Android devices later this year. Beyond a more personalized user experience and interface, Android 16 introduces several other new features and improvements, including streamlined and more accurate notifications. Live updates ensure that users stay up-to-date on real-time notifications, including those that are app-dependent, such as food delivery statuses. Google says it is working directly with its app partners to bring live update capabilities to devices across the Android ecosystem. Android 16 also forces multiple notifications from one app to be grouped, which the company says will reduce "information overload." Android 16 promises significant improvements for users who have hearing aids. Many hearing aids feature front-facing microphones to amplify the sound of a person speaking to the wearer rather than the wearer's own voice. So when on a phone call, the person wearing hearing aids often struggles with their own voice being unclear to the other participant. It is now possible to override the built-in hearing aid mic for outgoing audio and instead use the smartphone's mic. Android 16 also includes native control for hearing devices, ensuring a better, more consistent experience. On the security side of things, Android 16 introduces Advanced Protection, which Google also previewed last month. This is Google's strongest mobile device protection and includes security features to protect users against online attacks, harmful applications, unsafe websites, and even scam calls. Android 16 is also compatible with tablets, and the latest software release features new enhancements specifically designed for larger screens. "Samsung DeX has helped maximize productivity on phones, foldables and tablets for years," Google writes. "In Android 16, we worked closely with Samsung to develop desktop windowing, a new way to interact with your apps and content on large-screen devices." Users with Android 16 tablets will be able to open, move, and resize multiple app windows across a single screen, just like a standard desktop computer. It's similar to what Apple unveiled yesterday with iPadOS 26. Android 16 desktop windowing will be rolled out later this year on compatible devices, according to Google. On the software development side of things, Android 16 introduces some key improvements. Android 16 features new camera APIs that provide developers with access to night mode scene detection, hybrid auto exposure, and precise color temperature adjustments. Android 16 also improves improved UltraHDR support, including HEIC encoding support with new parameters. There is also new support for the Advanced Professional Video (APV) codec, which Google says improves Android's "place in professional recording and post-production workflows." Specifically for Google Pixel owners, Android 16 has some additional exciting features. Users can now set up Pixel VIPs, friends, and family they want to prioritize on their devices. With VIPs, Google says that Pixel users can "always stay in touch with the people who matter to you most." Pixel Studio allows users to create custom stickers of "nearly anything" they can imagine using generative AI on Gboard. "Need some ideas? An excited jelly avocado, a sad starfish wearing sunglasses, sparkly blue sneakers -- these are just a few of the many possibilities," Google writes. Pixel owners can also make stickers from their real photos, as the AI can remove the background to ensure the subject is the only visible part of the sticker. As PetaPixel said in its Pixel 9 Pro Review, Pixel smartphones often feature highly capable cameras. With Android 16 on Pixel, photographers can receive real-time tips within the built-in Camera app by tapping a new question mark icon in the top-right corner. Here, users can see "visual inspiration of what each mode does," and read helpful step-by-step instructions on how to get the most out of their Pixel camera. Google Photos will also soon receive a major update that adds AI-powered photo editing directly to the app. "You'll get AI-powered suggestions that enhance your photos in just a single tap, plus instant access to recommended tools based on what you select to edit and easier access to your favorite tools for complete control," Google explains. Android 16 includes many other new features, including HDR screenshots, improved adaptive refresh rate support, identity check, and more. Android 16 is available now.

Android 16 is out now. Here are the new features.

Android 16 has just arrived, hot on the heels of the iOS 26 beta. Google is going all in on stealing Apple's thunder as well, introducing some new updates that directly correlate to iOS features. While Google has historically released new Android versions between August and September, the tech giant confirmed last month that it would have an earlier June debut this year. That day has now come, with Android 16 landing on select Google Pixel models on Wednesday. Other Android devices will need to wait a bit longer, with Google planning to roll out the update more broadly over the next few months. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. We'd already heard a lot about Android 16 prior to this week. Google launched its public beta in January, allowing Android fans to get an early peek at the new changes. Now that it's out of beta, here are a few of the features arriving in Android 16. One of Android 16's most notable new features is the introduction of Live Updates, which are essentially Google's version of Apple's Live Activities. This allows app developers to implement notifications which include live progress bars, helping users to keep track of time-sensitive activities such as Uber trips and food deliveries. However, Live Updates isn't entirely live just yet. While this week's Android 16 release lets developers begin creating and customising these notifications, the OS won't prioritise them or keep them expanded on the always-on display until a later update. Notifications from a single app will also be automatically grouped together, keeping your phone display more organised. This should mean you're less likely to feel inundated with an avalanche of information and alerts after putting your phone down for a little while. Like Apple, Google's latest operating system also has a strong focus on aesthetics, with Android 16 laying the groundwork for its planned Material 3 Expressive update. This week Google's OS update forces apps to go edge-to-edge to fill users' entire screens, adapting to different screen sizes and aspect ratios. Previously, developers were able to opt out of going edge-to-edge, however with Android 16 that will no longer be an option. Android 16 further makes predictive back on by default, where previously it was up to developers to opt in. Initially introduced in Android 13, this allows users to long-press the back button in order to see a preview of which screen it will take you to. Such system animations should make navigating your Android phone a little more predictable. This week's Android update also comes with a few new features focusing on security, specifically protecting users against scams. Android 16's Activated Protection includes various security features designed to shield users from an array of malicious attacks, whether they're from dangerous websites or scam calls. For example, Android 16's Scam Detection AI tool warns users if it detects a suspicious conversation, focusing on common deceptions such as toll road, crypto, and technical support scams. It also has in-call protections preventing users from granting accessibility permissions which let others seize control of their device, as tricking people into allowing such access is a common technique among scammers. Activated Protection can be toggled on in your phone's security and privacy settings.

Android 16 release timeline, eligible devices, features and all other latest leaks

The safety features will bring offline lock, scam detection, USB blocking, and improved Factory Reset Protection for better phone safety. After showcasing Android 16 at Google I/O 2025, the tech giant is set to launch the update tomorrow, June 11. The latest update will pack some of the biggest changes made in years. From a fresh new look to smarter features and enhanced security, the update promises to improve how your phone looks, feels, and works. Notably, the update will first arrive on Google Pixel devices, starting with models like the Pixel 9 series, followed by other OEMs like Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Motorola, and Nothing. Here's everything to know about the upcoming Android 16 update. Android 16 will bring a brighter and more colourful design, with smoother animations and fonts that are easier to read. It will also change the phone's wallpaper with redesigned app icons, giving everything a more personal feel. The Quick Settings panel with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and more options is getting a major upgrade. The update will also allow users to resize the buttons, move them around more easily, and offer snappier animations and improved touch feedback. Additionally, the update will also introduce the iPhone's Dynamic Island feature, which will keep users updated on live tracking for ride arrivals, food deliveries, or walking directions -- right from the lock screen or notification bar -- without requiring an app to be opened. Furthermore, Android 16 will let you check your phone's battery health in the Settings app. The tech giant is also introducing new tools to help keep your phone safe if it's ever lost or stolen, featuring safety features such as Offline Lock, scam detection, USB access blocking, and enhancements to Factory Reset Protection. Apart from these, Google Assistant is being replaced by Gemini AI, with better voice commands, smarter suggestions, and deeper integration across your apps and settings. Apart from Pixel 9 devices, these phones will get the Android 16 update: Samsung: Galaxy S25 to S22, Z Fold and Flip models, A and M series