Earlier today, Google surprised everyone in the Android community by launching the first Android 16 Developer Preview with hardly any expectations of when it would come out. The aim of this change is to synchronize Android updates with device launch schedules for faster accessibility to new features. An official Android 16 should by all means ship in Q2 2024 (April–June), and there’s also a minor post-release release scheduled for Q4 2024, which will likely contain additional refinements and bug fixes.

Android 16 Developer Preview: Early Release, Features, Compatible Devices, and Installation Guide

What’s New in Android 16?

Alongside the Developer Preview, a host of features available to app developers are now being introduced, including:

Improved Photo Picker APIs: For a smoother browsing experience when users are navigating photo libraries inside of your apps.
Health Record APIs: Allows reading and writing medical records in FHIR format, while protecting sensitive data with a user opt-in policy.
Privacy Sandbox Updates: Advanced tools to enhance user data protection as part of Google’s privacy-focused initiatives.

Who Can Access the Preview?

The Android 16 Developer Preview is available for Pixel 6, 6 Pro, 6a, Pixel 7, 7 Pro, 7a, Pixel 8, 8 Pro, 8a, Pixel Fold, Pixel Tablet, and Pixel 9 series. The only way to preview it is if you have one of those devices. If you use your device on a daily basis, Google suggests waiting for the Beta in January 2024.

Installing Android 16 Developer Preview

So if you want to play around with Android 16, here is a basic step-by-step guide:

Back-Up Your Stuff: The preview reinstall wipes the device. Save important files.
Unlock the Bootloader:
- Enable Developer Options: Go to Settings > About Phone, then tap Build Number several times
- Enable OEM Unlocking: Activate this option in Developer Options.
Download the Update: Get the correct Factory Image or OTA file for your Pixel model from Google’s site.
Boot into Recovery Mode:
- Power off your phone.
- Press and hold Volume Down + Power to access the bootloader screen.
- Use the volume buttons to navigate to Recovery Mode.
Install Android 16: Use the on-screen instructions to flash the update file.
Reboot the Device: Once the installation is complete, select Reboot Now to start your device with Android 16.

Android 16 Roadmap

December 2023: Second Developer Preview
January 2024: First Beta
March 2024: Platform Stability with finalized APIs

Q2 2024: Official Release

While the Developer Preview offers a glimpse of Android 16’s exciting features, its instability makes it better suited for developers or secondary devices. For a more polished experience, wait for the public Beta in early 2024.