Android 16 Developer Preview 2 is out

Google is rescheduling its Android launch with finalized version 16 confirmed to launch between April and June, 2025. Keeping up with schedule, Google has now released its second Android 16 developer preview, which brings several optimizations and enhancements over last month’s first release.

Android 16 DP 2 is available for Pixel 6 and newer devices and the Pixel Tablet. Google also announced its Android 16 beta program will start in January 2025.

Android 16 Developer Preview 2 changelog:

System triggered profiling
• The Profiling Manager now includes System Triggered Profiling. Apps can use ProfilingManager to register interest in receiving information about diagnostic data like start, start type, start times, and throttling.

Richer Haptics

• Android 16 adds haptic APIs that let apps define the amplitude and frequency curves of a haptic effect while abstracting away differences between device capabilities.

Better job introspection

• Android 16 introduces JobScheduler which can return multiple reasons why a job is pending, due to both explicit constraints set by the developer and implicit constraints set by the system.

Adaptive refresh rate

• Android 16 DP2 introduces hasArrSupport() and getSuggestedFrameRate(int) while restoring getSupportedRefreshRates() to make it easier for your apps to take advantage of ARR.

Job execution optimizations

• Android 16 introduces JobScheduler#getPendingJobReasons(int jobId) which can return multiple reasons why a job is pending, due to both explicit constraints set by the developer and implicit constraints set by the system.
• JobScheduler#getPendingJobReasonsHistory(int jobId), returns a list of the most recent constraint changes.
• The API can help you debug why your jobs may not be executing. This can also better help you understand if certain jobs are not completing due to system defined constraints versus explicitly set constraints.

Accessibility

• Android 16 DP2 deprecates accessibility announcements, developers should use setAccessibilityPaneTitle() and setAccessibilityLiveRegion() for better accessibility support.

Cloud search in photo picker

• The developer preview includes new APIs to enable searching from the cloud media provider for the Android photo picker. Search functionality in the photo picker is coming soon.

Enhanced security

• Android 16 adds support for robust security features in WiFi location on supported devices with WiFi 6's 802.11az, allowing apps to combine the higher accuracy, greater scalability, and dynamic scheduling of the protocol with security enhancements including AES-256-based encryption and protection against MITM attacks.

Looking ahead, Google plans to launch a major SDK release in Q2 2025 with a focus on behavior changes and a smaller release in Q4 that will iron out any remaining bugs. Android 16 is expected to reach platform stability by March 2025.

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