Google has kicked off the Developer Preview for Android 16, arriving earlier than expected. Usually, these previews begin in February, but Android 16 DP1 is launching three months ahead of schedule this year.

The earlier release of the DP1 is because Google has moved the official Android 16 release from the third quarter to the second quarter of 2025. It aims to ensure that more devices get access to the major Android updates sooner.

Android 16 DP1 is available for several Pixel devices, including 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, and Pixel Pro Fold, as well as the Android Emulator. It can be identified through version BP21.241018.009.

The Android 16 Developer Preview brings new features for app developers. It brings a system photo picker that will help apps give users a smoother, more integrated way to select photos without needing extra permissions.

Another new feature is Health Connect, which lets apps access and manage medical records in FHIR format, but only with user permission. The update also includes the latest version of the Privacy Sandbox for privacy protection.

This preview program runs from November 2024 until the final public release next year. Android 16 Beta Program will begin in January, with the final stable release expected in Q2 of 2025. Stay tuned for more updates.

Android 16 to make Quick Settings access easier with one-finger swipe

Google is reportedly going to bring an interesting change with Android 16, which will no longer require two fingers to pull down the Quick Settings panel. Previously, there were concerns that users would need to swipe down with two fingers to bring up the Quick Settings. Fortunately, Google has decided to simplify this process.

With Android 16, accessing the Quick Settings will only require a single-finger swipe down on the right half of the status bar. The one-finger swipe access aligns it more closely similar to other Android manufacturers, like OnePlus and Samsung, have designed their systems.

Several users didn’t like the idea of needing two fingers to swipe down, as it felt more awkward and less convenient. By switching to a single-finger swipe for Android 16, Google will make it easier for users to manage their settings with less effort. A well-known tipster Mishaal Rahman (via Android Authority) spotted the code for this Quick Settings change.

However, the new design still lacks the ability to swipe seamlessly between the notifications and Quick Settings panels. Hopefully, Google will add this feature before the official release.

In addition to the swipe change, Android 16 will introduce resizable Quick Settings tiles and better categorization to help users find specific settings more easily.

However, these features are still being worked on and may not be fully ready in the current beta. They are expected to roll out in the final Android 16 release, which is expected in mid-2025.

Android 16 may introduce system-wide audio input switcher

Android 15 has already been launched, and now leaks and rumors about the upcoming version are starting to surface. A new report suggests that Android 16 could soon allow users to switch audio input for all apps from a single, system-wide menu.

Currently, if you want to use an external microphone instead of your phone’s built-in mic, you have to do it within each individual app, if the app even supports this option. However, Android 16 may solve this problem by adding a system-wide audio input switcher to the existing media switcher dialog, which was first introduced in Android 11.

This feature will be beneficial for users who want to record high-quality audio from an external microphone. Some apps like Camera and Recorder already allow users to choose audio input via the Media Recorder API.

However, several apps set the phone’s built-in microphone as default without providing the option to switch. This can be an issue for anyone trying to make professional recordings using an external mic.

Android users can currently change audio output devices, such as Bluetooth speakers or wired headphones, through the media switcher. However, there has been no similar option to manage audio input devices.

The new system-wide audio input switcher could provide a simpler way to select which microphone to use across all apps with Android 16.

Thanks to MishaalRahman (via AndroidAuthority) for spotting the code for this new feature in Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3. There is hope that the system’s wider audio input switcher feature will also be available on smartphones when Android 16 is released in mid-2025

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