Google has released the second developer preview of Android 16 for Pixel devices. The preview, known as Android 16 Developer Preview 2 (DP2), aims to enhance the app experience, improve battery life, and boost performance while minimizing incompatibilities. DP2 introduces several new features and optimizations targeted mainly at developers.
These include triggered profiling and job execution optimizations to improve performance. The release also offers new controls over device haptics with haptic APIs, an improved photo picker for searching within cloud media providers, and a new activity intensity data type in Health Connect to track the intensity of physical activities. For those already using Android 16 DP1, DP2 will be available as an over-the-air update.
New adopters can flash factory images to their Pixel devices, although Google advises that this preview is primarily for developers to test and optimize their apps.
Google releases Android 16 DP2
The build information for Android 16 DP2 is as follows:
Release date: December 18, 2024
Build: BP21.241121.009
Emulator support: x86 (64-bit), ARM (v8-A)
Security patch level: December 2024
Google Play services: 24.46.30
Google plans to release the Android 16 Beta in January 2025.
Users will be able to enroll in the Android Beta Program at that time. One of the most exciting additions in DP2 is a new emoji set that was previewed earlier this year. For now, only users who have DP2 installed can see and use the new emojis, which include a face with bags under eyes, fingerprint, root vegetable emoji, and more.
Older Android versions will display a placeholder symbol until Android 16 goes live to the public next year. For those eager to test the new features or develop apps for Android 16, factory and OTA images for Android 16 DP2 can be found on the Android Developers Blog. Installing the Developer Preview provides an early look at these new functionalities, but users should be prepared for potential bugs as it is still in development.
