Android 16 Beta 3 Reaches Stability with New Features

Android 16 Beta 3

Android 16 Beta 3 Reaches Platform Stability

Android 16 has reached a big milestone today with Beta 3! This means the app features and behavior are now final, and developers can start publishing their Android 16 apps on the Play Store.

?? Android 16 Beta 3 is LIVE! ?? Platform Stability is reached, so you can publish your Android 16-targeted apps now! Plus, test Local Network Protection & explore new accessibility features. Dive into the details → https://t.co/f1OKkOdCw5 pic.twitter.com/DaFiP7eKsf
— Android Developers (@AndroidDev) March 13, 2025

Key Updates in Android 16 Beta 3

Broadcast Audio Support: Pixel 9 devices with Android 16 Beta now support Auracast, a feature that helps hearing aids and earbuds receive audio streams from places like airports or concert halls, improving audio accessibility for users.
Better Text Contrast for Low Vision Users: Android 16 introduces a new outline text feature, which creates a contrast outline around text, making it easier to read for users with low vision.
Local Network Protection (LNP): This new feature gives users more control over which apps can access devices on their local network. In Beta 3, developers can test their apps with LNP to see how their apps might be affected in future Android releases.

Important Things to Test

Local Network Access: Apps need specific permissions to access devices on the local network. Developers can test this feature in Beta 3 to see if their apps are impacted by this new restriction.
App Compatibility: Android 16 introduces several changes that might affect apps, including new restrictions and improvements to security, Bluetooth, and accessibility. Developers need to test their apps for compatibility to ensure they work well with these changes.

Upcoming Changes to JobScheduler, Intent Handling, and Bluetooth

Strict JobScheduler Quotas: Android 16 enforces stricter rules for job scheduling, especially when an app is in the foreground or running a foreground service.
Intent Handling: Android 16 strengthens security against Intent redirection attacks, so developers need to test how their apps handle Intents to ensure they are protected.
Bluetooth Improvements: Android 16 improves the way Bluetooth connections are handled, especially in terms of reconnecting devices after a bond loss.

Preparing for Android 16 Launch and Release Timeline

Developers are encouraged to update their apps, libraries, and tools to work with Android 16. Testing apps on Beta 3 devices will help identify and fix any issues ahead of the official release.The major Android 16 release is scheduled for Q2 2025, with another smaller update in Q4 2025, which will mainly include optimizations and bug fixes. Developers can enroll a supported Pixel device or use the Android Emulator in Android Studio to test Android 16 Beta 3, and updates will be delivered over-the-air as the release cycle continues.