Android 16 With Support for Live Activities, Advanced Protection Rolling Out for Pixel Devices

Google on Tuesday launched the primary steady model of Android 16, starting with supported Pixel units. The firm says it’s the earliest launch of a significant Android working system (OS) replace in the previous few years and brings a number of new options. It provides stay updates for real-time notifications and enhanced safety measures courtesy of Advanced Protection. The firm says future Android 16 updates may also carry a brand new design language dubbed Material 3 Expressive, as properly a desktop-like expertise on tablets and different units with giant screens.

Android 16 Compatible Models List

Google says Android 16 rollout is commencing with Pixel units. All eligible handsets enrolled within the Android Beta for Pixel programme will probably be provided the brand new OS iteration as an over-the-air (OTA) replace. This consists of:

On Pixel units, customers can test for the Android 16 replace by navigating to Settings > System > Software replace > System replace > Check for updates. The OS will probably be launched by extra manufacturers for their respective lineup of units within the coming months, as per the corporate.

Android 16 Features

Google highlighted the most important options of Android 16 in a weblog publish. The replace brings a brand new characteristic referred to as pressured notification auto-grouping. This is a characteristic which teams notifications collectively to stop a number of particular person notifications from the identical apps, as per the corporate.

There’s additionally Live Updates which features just like Live Activities on iOS. This characteristic offers updates in-real time for ride-sharing and meals supply apps on the lock display screen. Google says it’s working to deliver this functionality to Samsung’s Now Bar, in addition to Live Alerts on Oppo and OnePlus smartphones.

New Features in Android 16
Photo Credit: Google

Meanwhile, Advanced Protection claims to guard customers from dangerous assaults, malicious web sites, rip-off calls, and on-line assaults. As per Google, it serves as a single management level for safety settings in apps like Google Chrome, Message, Phone, along with assist for third-party apps sooner or later.

Google’s newest OS replace additionally guarantees an easier expertise throughout completely different manufacturers of listening to help units. Users can management them from their system which have built-in front-facing mics for audio enter, or change to the telephone as enter with LE Audio listening to units for improved name high quality.

The replace brings a brand new desktop windowing expertise for giant display screen units
Photo Credit: Google

The firm provides {that a} future Android 16 replace may also deliver desktop windowing, constructing upon the capabilities of Samsung DeX. It is developed in collaboration with Samsung and lets customers handle apps and content material on units with bigger screens. Users will have the ability to make the most of single app or split-screen modes. It works like a desktop, enabling you to open, transfer, or resize a number of app home windows in a single display screen, making it simpler to work throughout apps. Desktop windowing on Android 16 will probably be rolled out to extra appropriate units later this yr.

Meanwhile, the brand new Material 3 Expressive design that Google showcased at I/O in May 2025, may also be making its option to units working Android 16 later this yr. The new design may also be a part of the Android 16 QPR1 steady launch mentioned to roll out subsequent month.