Android 16 Developer Preview now available for early testers

Google has lifted the curtain on Android 16 and has released its initial developer preview.

This early iteration introduces several key features, including a revamped photo picker for enhanced privacy and ‘Health Connect’, a platform for sharing medical records between apps.

Android 16 builds upon Google’s commitment to user privacy. The new photo picker allows users to grant apps access to specific photos and videos, rather than their entire media library.

Meanwhile, Health Connect aims to streamline health data sharing. By enabling seamless data exchange between health apps and devices, users can gain deeper insights into their well-being.

As previously reported, Google has made changes to its release timeline, promising faster updates for Android devices. This means users can expect to receive the latest features and security patches more quickly. And also benefits other OEMs to adopt newest versions of Android faster than before.

While the initial developer preview is now available, the public beta is expected to launch in January 2025. The final release is anticipated to arrive sometime after April 2025.

See Google’s official blog about the first developer preview of Android 16 here 16.