Android 16 Beta 4 Drops, The Final Stop Before Launch

Google has conscionable rolled retired Android 16 Beta 4, what is expected to beryllium nan last scheduled update earlier nan charismatic release. Android developers are now being asked to guarantee their apps and games are afloat compatible.

This type achieves Platform Stability, meaning nan developer APIs and each behaviours affecting apps are now final. Developers tin confidently people apps targeting Android 16 to nan Google Play Store, utilizing this build for last testing and optimisation.

The bully news for those keen to acquisition Android 16 is that nan latest Android 16 Beta isn’t conscionable for Google Pixel devices anymore. Beta 4 is now disposable connected a scope of handsets, tablets, and foldables from partners for illustration Honor, iQOO, Lenovo, OnePlus, OPPO, Realme, vivo, and Xiaomi.

This wider instrumentality readiness allows developers to trial their applications crossed a much divers group of hardware earlier nan nationalist release. If you create SDKs, libraries, tools, aliases crippled engines, getting updates retired now is captious to unblock your developer customers.

Testing tin beryllium done pinch a hardware instrumentality aliases emulator moving Beta 4 and to tally done tests. Developers are encouraged to salary adjacent attraction to nan documented behaviour changes, arsenic Android updates often see privacy, security, and UX improvements that mightiness effect your app, moreover if nan app hasn’t been updated to target nan caller APIs disposable successful Android 16.

Key Changes

JobScheduler
Quotas are enforced much strictly, perchance impacting jobs moreover erstwhile nan app is successful nan foreground aliases progressive standby bucket. setImportantWhileForeground is now a no-op.

Broadcasts
Ordered broadcasts utilizing priorities will now only usability reliably wrong nan aforesaid app process.

ART
Apps utilizing reflection, JNI, aliases different methods to entree Android internals look a higher consequence of breaking and should beryllium tested thoroughly.

Intents
Android 16 includes stronger information against Intent redirection attacks, requiring testing of Intent handling.

16KB Page Size
While a compatibility emblem exists for apps not fresh for 16KB page sizes, migrating is recommended for optimal performance.

Accessibility
The announceForAccessibility method is deprecated; developers should usage recommended alternatives and trial pinch nan caller outline matter feature.

Bluetooth Changes to really Bluetooth enslaved nonaccomplishment is handled will effect nan re-pairing process.

[Image Placeholder: Screenshot illustrating a cardinal behaviour alteration aliases testing screen]

Changes Impacting Apps Targeting Android 16:

User Experience The opt-out for edge-to-edge show is removed, migration aliases opt-out for predictive backmost gestures is required, and elegant font APIs are disabled.

Core Functionality Optimisations person been made to fixed-rate activity scheduling via JobScheduler.

Large Screen Devices App restrictions related to orientation, resizability, and facet ratio will beryllium ignored, requiring layouts to accommodate to various screens.

Health and Fitness Changes person been implemented for wellness and fittingness permissions handling.

Interestingly, Google plans 2 Android API releases successful 2025. This existent Q2 awesome merchandise contains nan behaviour changes, while a second, insignificant API merchandise is planned for Q4, focusing connected features, optimisations, and fixes without intentionally breaking app compatibility.

Quarterly Android updates (Q1, Q3) will proceed arsenic accustomed for value improvements. Google Play’s target API level requirements stay an yearly update tied to nan awesome API level release.

Personally I had nan prime of enrolling either my Pixel 9 Pro XL aliases nan Pixel 9 Pro Fold, and astatine slightest to statesman with, I’m updating nan Fold, arsenic I’m peculiarly willing successful changes to support for apps that span to nan extended display.

For much information, caput to nan Android 16 developer site