Android 16 has simply arrived, scorching on the heels of the iOS 26 beta. Google goes all in on stealing Apple’s thunder as properly, introducing some new updates that immediately correlate to iOS options.
Whereas Google has traditionally launched new Android variations between August and September, the tech large confirmed final month that it will have an earlier June debut this 12 months. That day has now come, with Android 16 touchdown on choose Google Pixel fashions on Wednesday. Different Android gadgets might want to wait a bit longer, with Google planning to roll out the replace extra broadly over the subsequent few months.
This Tweet is presently unavailable. It may be loading or has been eliminated.
We would already heard rather a lot about Android 16 previous to this week. Google launched its public beta in January, permitting Android followers to get an early peek on the new modifications. Now that it is out of beta, listed here are just a few of the options arriving in Android 16.
Reside Updates and neater notifications
Credit score: Google
One in every of Android 16’s most notable new options is the introduction of Reside Updates, that are basically Google’s model of Apple’s Reside Actions. This permits app builders to implement notifications which embody stay progress bars, serving to customers to maintain monitor of time-sensitive actions comparable to Uber journeys and meals deliveries.
Nonetheless, Reside Updates is not completely stay simply but. Whereas this week’s Android 16 launch lets builders start creating and customising these notifications, the OS will not prioritise them or hold them expanded on the always-on show till a later replace.
Mashable Gentle Pace
Credit score: Google
Notifications from a single app can even be routinely grouped collectively, conserving your cellphone show extra organised. This could imply you are much less more likely to really feel inundated with an avalanche of knowledge and alerts after placing your cellphone down for a short time.
Adaptive apps that go edge-to-edge
Credit score: Google
Like Apple, Google’s newest working system additionally has a robust give attention to aesthetics, with Android 16 laying the groundwork for its deliberate Materials 3 Expressive replace. This week Google’s OS replace forces apps to go edge-to-edge to fill customers’ total screens, adapting to totally different display screen sizes and facet ratios. Beforehand, builders have been capable of choose out of going edge-to-edge, nonetheless with Android 16 that may now not be an choice.
Predictive again on by default
Android 16 additional makes predictive again on by default, the place beforehand it was as much as builders to choose in. Initially launched in Android 13, this permits customers to long-press the again button with the intention to see a preview of which display screen it should take you to. Such system animations ought to make navigating your Android cellphone slightly extra predictable.
Rip-off safety options
Credit score: Google
This week’s Android replace additionally comes with just a few new options specializing in safety, particularly defending customers towards scams. Android 16’s Activated Safety contains varied safety features designed to defend customers from an array of malicious assaults, whether or not they’re from harmful web sites or rip-off calls.
For instance, Android 16’s Rip-off Detection AI device warns customers if it detects a suspicious dialog, specializing in frequent deceptions comparable to toll highway, crypto, and technical assist scams. It additionally has in-call protections stopping customers from granting accessibility permissions which let others seize management of their machine, as tricking individuals into permitting such entry is a typical method amongst scammers. Activated Safety will be toggled on in your cellphone’s safety and privateness settings.
