Google Rolls Out First Developer Preview Of Android 16: Here's What It'll Bring

Android 16 Developer Preview 1 comes packed with exciting features aimed at enhancing user experience and functionality.

This launch is in line with Google’s earlier statement about increasing the pace of Android updates.

Source : X/@MishaalRahman

Google has wasted no time in building momentum following the recent release of Android 15, unveiling the first Developer Preview for Android 16. This new preview, designed for Pixel smartphones, was officially announced on the Android Developer Blog. It is now available for developers to download and test with their apps, setting the stage for the next wave of innovations in the Android ecosystem.

Android 16 Developer Preview 1 comes packed with exciting features aimed at enhancing user experience and functionality. Among the highlights are Audio Sharing, which promises improved connectivity for audio devices, Notification Cooldown to help manage alert fatigue, and Health Records integration to streamline access to personal health data. These additions are just a glimpse of what’s to come as Google continues refining the operating system ahead of its public release.

This launch is in line with Google’s earlier statement about increasing the pace of Android updates. The tech giant recently outlined plans to roll out two updates in 2025, ensuring users and developers benefit from more frequent improvements. According to Google, a significant Android release is scheduled for Q2 2025, followed by a smaller update later in Q4. The Q2 milestone has now been confirmed as Android 16, marking the next major step in the platform’s evolution.

Let us have a look at the changes that the latest update has brought.

Android 16 Developer Preview: What's New?

• New Name: It’s now officially confirmed that Android 16’s code name is Baklava. Google has long embraced a tradition of naming its software releases after desserts, with Android 15 internally referred to as Vanilla Ice Cream. Typically, these sweet-themed names follow an alphabetical pattern, making the choice of Baklava for Android 16 a surprising deviation from the norm.
• Embedded Photo Picker: Google has announced an update to Android’s photo picker feature with the release of Android 16. This tool, which lets apps access selected photos and videos from both local and cloud storage, is being redesigned to provide a more seamless experience. In the updated version, the photo picker will integrate more naturally into the app, feeling less like an overlay and more like a built-in component.
• Health records: Health records in Health Connect will enable third-party apps to access users' health information, including vaccination details and lab results, provided users grant the necessary permissions.
• Notification cooldown: This feature temporarily lowers the volume and limits the frequency of notifications for up to two minutes when multiple alerts arrive in rapid succession. However, calls, alarms, and priority conversations are not impacted.
• Audio Sharing: This feature allows multiple Bluetooth headphones to connect to a single device at the same time, enabling shared media playback. However, it is only compatible with Bluetooth LE-enabled devices.