Google has launched the second developer preview of Android 16, providing a complicated have a look at upcoming options, enhancements, and modifications to present builders ample time for adaptation.

This newest launch is concentrated on enhancing app experiences, bettering battery life, boosting efficiency, and minimising compatibility points.

Right here’s a breakdown of what to anticipate in Android 16 Developer Preview 2 (DP2):

Efficiency enhancements and debugging instruments

System triggered profiling: Increasing on the ProfilingManager launched in Android 15, system-triggered profiling assists builders in capturing difficult eventualities like startups or “Software Not Responding” (ANR) points. By utilising ProfilingManager#addProfilingTriggers(), apps can now register to obtain diagnostic information about these flows.

Job introspection: Android 16 introduces the JobScheduler#getPendingJobReasons(int jobId) API, which gives perception into why a job is pending, together with express constraints set by the developer and system-defined limitations. The brand new JobScheduler#getPendingJobReasonsHistory(int jobId) API additional allows monitoring of constraint modifications over time. These instruments enable builders to diagnose latency points and increase job execution reliability.

Job execution optimisations: Android 16 adjusts job runtime quotas based mostly on app standing and job execution contexts, comparable to visibility to customers or concurrency with foreground providers. Builders are suggested to make use of user-initiated information switch strategies for prolonged operations to navigate these new quotas successfully.

Adaptive refresh charge enhancements: Enhancements to Adaptive Refresh Price (ARR), which was launched in Android 15, purpose to optimise content material show whereas lowering energy utilization. New APIs comparable to hasArrSupport() and getSuggestedFrameRate(int) make leveraging ARR simpler for builders. Android’s RecyclerView 1.4 has additionally been up to date to assist ARR internally throughout easy scrolling and flinging.

New and enhanced APIs

Richer haptics: With Android 16, builders acquire deeper management over system haptics. New APIs enable the definition of amplitude and frequency curves for haptic suggestions, abstracting variations between system capabilities for extra dynamic experiences.

Software begin perception: Constructing on ApplicationStartInfo launched in Android 15, the addition of getStartComponent() in Android 16 permits builders to find out which element triggered an app’s begin, paving the best way for optimised launch sequences.

Well being Join updates: Builders now have entry to a brand new datatype, ACTIVITY_INTENSITY, aligned with World Well being Group pointers for reasonable or vigorous exercise. Up to date APIs additionally assist well being information in FHIR format with correct consumer consent, permitting apps to learn and write medical information.

Predictive again animations: Enhancements to predictive again gestures open extra management for builders. By registering callbacks comparable to the brand new finishAndRemoveTaskCallback() and moveTaskToBackCallback(), particular app behaviours will be triggered alongside tailor-made animations.

Wi-Fi Ranging with enhanced safety: Android 16 helps 802.11az, the Wi-Fi 6 protocol that strengthens safety for proximity use instances comparable to unlocking units. The protocol integrates safety measures like AES-256 encryption, guaranteeing sturdy defence in opposition to assaults like man-in-the-middle threats.

Cloud search within the picture picker: The picture picker now contains APIs enabling cloud-based picture search throughout platforms. This search function, designed to securely grant entry to particular media, is anticipated to roll out quickly.

Android 16 deprecations and behavior modifications

Deprecating disruptive accessibility bulletins: Accessibility bulletins utilizing announceForAccessibility() and TYPE_ANNOUNCEMENT AccessibilityEvents have been deprecated. Google advises builders to implement options such because the setAccessibilityLiveRegion(int) for dynamic updates or the setError(CharSequence) methodology for error messaging.

JobInfo deprecation accomplished: The long-standing deprecation of JobInfo.Builder#setImportantWhileForeground(boolean) now takes full impact in Android 16. The strategy calls might be ignored, with JobInfo#isImportantWhileForeground() constantly returning false.

Transition in direction of predictability in Android updates

The preview highlights Google’s new two Android API launch cadence deliberate for 2025:

• Main launch in Q2 2025: It will introduce new APIs and deliberate behaviour modifications affecting apps.
• Minor launch in This fall 2025: It will give attention to Android optimisations, bug fixes, and have updates with out behaviour-impacting modifications.

To make sure steady high quality, incremental updates might be delivered in Q1 and Q3 between these releases.

Getting ready your apps for Android 16

Builders are inspired to start compiling apps in opposition to the brand new SDK and testing for compatibility as early as potential. The Android 16 Preview Program is operating from November 2024 to late Q1 2025, with the ultimate launch deliberate to observe shortly after the Platform Stability milestone in March 2025.

Google advises builders to check their apps below the compatibility framework and report any points for decision. Because the platform stabilisation approaches, there might be a number of months to finish testing earlier than the official launch.

Flashing a system picture is required to put in Android 16 Developer Preview 2, with over-the-air updates obtainable to these utilizing Developer Preview 1. Builders already enrolled in Android 15 QPR2 Beta can migrate to Android 16 DP2 and expertise the modifications with out wiping their units.

See additionally: Google urges Android builders to prep for 16 KB reminiscence web page

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Tags: android, android 16, api, coding, Builders, improvement, google, preview, programming