Google has started rolling out the Stable Android 16 Update for Pixel Phones. The Update Size is 1.34 GB. Material 3 Expressive, Desktop Mode coming later this year
Android 16 Features
Android 16 is implementing “live updates” for notifications, beginning with ride-share and food delivery applications. This feature aims to provide real-time information without requiring users to open the respective apps.
Android 16 will also force-group notifications that “come from a single app to help reduce information overload” and maintain organization.
Collaboration with app partners is underway to integrate this capability across the Android ecosystem, including Samsung’s Now Bar and OPPO and OnePlus’ Live Alerts. Additionally, notifications from a single app will be automatically grouped to reduce visual clutter.
Android 16 now allows users to switch to their phone’s microphone for calls in noisy environments, addressing an issue where current LE audio hearing devices primarily use built-in front-facing microphones designed for external sound pickup. Native control for hearing devices is also being integrated, providing users with the ability to manage settings like volume directly from their Android phone.
Android 16 offers the option to activate “Advanced Protection,” described as Google’s strongest mobile device security. This feature provides a suite of security measures designed to protect against online attacks, harmful applications, unsafe websites, and scam calls.
Android 16 introduces “desktop windowing” for large-screen devices. This new interaction model allows users to open, move, and resize multiple app windows on a single screen, similar to a desktop environment, in addition to existing single-app and split-screen modes. This feature is expected to roll out later this year on compatible devices.
Android 16 lets you set the “Double press power button” gesture to either open Camera or Google Wallet. Meanwhile, 3-button navigation now supports Predictive Back by long-pressing on the back button.
List of Phones Android 16 is now available
- Pixel 6 Series: Pixel 6, 6 Pro, and 6a
- Pixel 7 Series: Pixel 7, 7 Pro, and 7a
- Pixel 8 Series: Pixel 8, 8 Pro and 8a
- Pixel 9 Series: Pixel 9, 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro Fold and 9a Pixel Fold Pixel Tablet
Material 3 Expressive, Desktop Mode coming later this year