After six major previews and betas, Google is ready to launch Android 16 for Pixel devices today. There are a handful of additions and changes, but it’s not a particularly big release once again. (However, you can expect the next quarterly update to bring the Material 3 Expressive redesign.) Today’s release also coincides with the June 2025 Pixel (Feature) Drop.
Compared to Google’s usual cadence, this update is 3-4 months early, with Google starting the preview cycle in November. This should be the new schedule going forward, with more sizable Android releases expected the next two quarters.
Android 16 introduces support for a new type of notification that apps can show called Live Updates. Appearing at the top of your lockscreen and notification shade, these alerts show activity progress with a prominent bar. In the status bar, you will get a pill next to the time that provides one-tap access to the app. Live Updates are coming first to ride-share and food delivery apps.
One way to demo Live Updates is by enabling the Android 16 Easter egg and setting the spaceship to “Auto.” Go to Settings > About phone > Android version and rapidly tap the “16” to get started.
Android 16 will also force-group notifications that “come from a single app to help reduce information overload” and maintain organization.
Advanced Protection lets you enable additional security measures for your device. It helps guard against “online attacks, harmful apps, unsafe websites, scam calls and more.” Go to Settings > Security & privacy > Advanced Protection to enable.
After booting your device and PIN entry, Android 16 has a new Material 3 Expressive loading indicator that cycles through various shapes while there’s a lava lamp-esque glow effect before your homescreen loads.
Android 16 (on supported devices, like the Pixel 9) improves the hearing devices experience. For example, native controls let you simply adjust volume and switch microphones.
Health Connect is also adding support for showing medical records.
In the status bar, you’ll notice that the time is displayed in a different font with more spacing between the numbers. Meanwhile, some clocks on the always-on display (AOD) are now themed with Dynamic Color.
The media player in Quick Settings now darkens artwork.
In Recents, tapping the icon above the app card now shows shortcuts for Screenshot, Select, and Close. The first two already appear at the bottom of the multitasking view. Similarly, long-pressing the Pixel Launcher shows a new “Apps list” shortcut.
The Pixel 8a and newer support a Battery health (Settings > Battery) feature that provides an “estimated percentage of [the] charge the battery can currently hold compared to a new standard battery.” Google notes how “Battery capacity decreases over time,” while the Charging optimization setting (Adaptive Charging or Limit to 80%) has been moved to the bottom of this page).
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. In Gesture Navigation settings, you can also now “Try a demo.”
Other new Settings (with the app featuring a tweaked search bar) include:
- Apps > Contact storage: Lets you choose what Google Account contacts should be saved to by default. There’s also a “Device only” option.
- System > Languages & region: You can set a “Region” (country) and Measurement system
- Wallpaper & style > Home screen > Color contrast > Outline text: “Add a black or white background around text to increase contrast.”
An upcoming Android 16 capability for tablets is desktop windowing that lets you freely resize app windows, just like on desktop operating systems. Android is also working on custom keyboard shortcuts and a taskbar overflow interface that lets you browse open apps.
Top comment by Mike Shulman
Remember to check for the Google Play System Update as well, it's separate from the "Security Update" check in the Security & Privacy -> System & updates settings panel.
Google “worked closely” with Samsung on this, and is rolling it out “later this year.” For more, read our article about it and how this experience will be further enhanced by “connected displays.”
Android 16 Pixel launch
Android 16 is launching and rolling out starting today for the Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel Tablet, Pixel Fold, Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8a, Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, and Pixel 9a.
Visit Settings > System > System update and click the “Check for update” button if the OTA hasn’t already appeared on your device. Android 16 Beta 4.1 users will get a small update to this final release.
The Android Beta Program will remain open and continue testing QPRs and feature drops. To get the stable version, those running Android 16 Beta 4+ have to opt out first. Devices will not be wiped by the stable OTA once that becomes widely available.
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