According to Android Authority, the Android 16 Beta program for Pixel devices is scheduled to commence in January 2025, with key dates revealed for its subsequent releases. The update is expected to arrive in Q2 2025, earlier than in previous years.
Android 16 Beta schedule and updates
Google has moved up the timeline for Android 16, with the first Developer Preview released in November 2024, instead of February 2025. A Google employee recently detailed future development timelines in the Android Gerrit, addressing a bugfix and testing process.
The release schedule outlined includes:
- Beta 1: Initial beta-quality release, available via over-the-air update for early adopters.
- Beta 2: Incremental beta-quality release.
- Beta 3: First Platform Stability milestone, including final APIs and behaviors along with the opening of Play publishing.
- Beta 4: Near-final builds for final testing, expected in April.
Critical internal deadlines include January 22 for changes due related to Android 16 Beta 2 and February 19 for Android 16 Beta 3. However, these dates are not confirmed public rollout dates. A Google employee confirmed that Beta 3 is set to release on March 12, 2025, marking the only explicit date provided so far.
Following the release of Beta 3, additional beta builds will likely follow for final testing in April and May before the stable update is released to AOSP and Pixel devices in Q2 2025. The substantial changes expected with Android 16 include improvements to volume controls, a streamlined user interface, enhanced accessibility features, battery life optimization, and support for medical records.
The anticipated timeline indicates that the final version of Android 16 could be released around June 3, 2025, approximately eight months after the release of Android 15 on October 15, 2024. The initial beta build, reflecting the timeline shared by the Googler, may be available within days, specifically targeting the Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, and later models.
Featured image credit: Kerem Gülen/Ideogram
