Google has officially rolled out Android 16 Beta 3, marking a major milestone in the operating system’s development. With this update, Android 16 has now reached platform stability, meaning all app-facing behaviors and APIs are finalized. This allows developers to start testing and updating their applications to ensure compatibility with the upcoming stable release.

This beta version comes with a host of new features, enhancements, and optimizations that improve user experience, accessibility, security, and overall functionality. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what’s new in Android 16 Beta 3.

1. Platform Stability Achieved

One of the most significant highlights of Android 16 Beta 3 is that it has reached Platform Stability. This means that all developer APIs and system behaviors are now finalized, allowing app developers to fully optimize their applications for the final release, expected in Q2 2025.

For developers, this stability ensures that there will be no further changes to the Android 16 framework, which means they can focus entirely on app compatibility testing and refining user experiences.

2. Auracast Support for Bluetooth LE Hearing Aids

Android 16 Beta 3 introduces Auracast support for Bluetooth LE hearing aids, allowing users to connect to public audio broadcasts in airports, theaters, stadiums, and other venues.

• Auracast enables direct streaming from a shared audio source, eliminating the need for additional hardware.
• Initially, this feature will be available only on Samsung Galaxy phones with One UI 7 and Google Pixel 9 series.
• Users can join an Auracast broadcast via QR code scanning or through the settings menu, much like connecting to a Wi-Fi network.

This marks a huge step forward for accessibility, improving the audio experience for individuals who rely on hearing aids.

3. Live Updates for Notifications

Android 16 introduces Live Updates, a new class of notifications designed for real-time tracking of activities like rideshare status, delivery progress, sports scores, and navigation.

• The new ProgressStyle notification template allows developers to create rich, interactive notifications.
• It supports custom icons, progress tracking, milestones, and state changes.
• This enhancement ensures that users can monitor important activities quickly without needing to open the corresponding app.

4. Improved Support for Larger Screens

Google is continuing its push for better large-screen support with Android 16. The new update removes the ability for apps to restrict screen orientation and resizability on large devices like foldables, tablets, and Chromebooks.

What this means:

• Apps must now adapt to different screen sizes and orientations.
• Initially, this change only affects apps targeting API level 36 (Android 16).
• By 2026, this policy will extend to API level 37 (Android 17), making adaptive design a requirement for all developers.

This move ensures that Android apps provide a seamless user experience across all form factors.

5. Enhanced Embedded Photo Picker

Android 16 Beta 3 improves the photo picker by adding support for cloud-based media services like Google Photos.

Key Features:

• Users can now select cloud-stored photos and videos directly within the photo picker.
• The picker integrates cloud albums alongside local storage.
• A new search functionality enables users to quickly find images and videos.
• The embedded picker now responds dynamically to screen orientation, themes, and configuration changes.

This streamlines the media selection process, making it more intuitive and efficient.

6. Linux Terminal Expansion

Android 16 further enhances Linux Terminal support, originally introduced in Android 15 QPR2 beta.

What’s new?

• Users can now run Linux applications in a Debian-based virtual machine (VM) using the Android Virtualization Framework (AVF).
• The guest OS is fully isolated, ensuring security through hypervisor-based isolation (KVM/Gunyah).
• Users can run graphical Linux applications, including classic PC software like Doom.

This update makes Android more powerful for developers and brings it closer to a desktop-like experience.

7. Privacy Sandbox for Better Data Protection

Android 16 continues to prioritize user privacy with the introduction of the Privacy Sandbox.

• This feature limits third-party tracking while still allowing personalized content delivery.
• It leverages anonymized data and local processing, ensuring user data remains private.
• The Privacy Sandbox aligns with global data regulations, offering a more secure and private Android experience.

This move reinforces Google's commitment to privacy-first advertising solutions.

8. Notification Cooldown to Reduce Distractions

Android 16 introduces a notification cooldown feature to help users manage notification overload.

• When multiple notifications arrive in quick succession, the system will gradually lower notification sounds.
• Alerts will be temporarily minimized for up to 2 minutes, reducing distractions.
• High-priority alerts like calls and alarms remain unaffected.

This feature is part of Android 16’s broader efforts to improve focus and productivity.

9. Health Records Integration in Health Connect

Android 16 enhances Health Connect by allowing apps to access and manage medical records.

• The new API supports Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR), a standardized format for electronic health records.
• Immunization records are the first to be integrated, with future updates expanding to lab results, prescriptions, and more.
• Apps must request explicit user consent via new permissions like android.permission.health.READ_MEDICAL_DATA_IMMUNIZATION.

This makes Android a central hub for health data management, benefiting both users and healthcare providers.

10. Advanced Professional Video (APV) Codec for High-Quality Recording

Android 16 adds support for the Advanced Professional Video (APV) codec, catering to filmmakers and content creators.

Key Features:

• YUV 422 color sampling for high-fidelity video quality.
• 10-bit encoding for improved color depth.
• Bitrates up to 2 Gbit/s, ensuring cinema-grade video capture.
• The codec is backed by OpenAPV, a reference implementation for professional video recording.

This makes Android 16 a powerful tool for videographers, offering broadcast-quality recording.

11. Vertical Text Rendering for Asian Languages

Android 16 introduces native support for vertical text rendering, enhancing readability in Japanese, Chinese, and Korean scripts.

• A new VERTICAL_TEXT_FLAG is added to the Paint class, enabling proper text layout.
• This update ensures better UI/UX for Asian language users.

This improvement is particularly beneficial for e-books, digital comics (manga), and localized applications.

Final Thoughts: What’s Next?

With Android 16 Beta 3, Google has introduced some game-changing features that enhance accessibility, usability, privacy, and performance.

As we approach the final release in mid-2025, developers are now encouraged to test their apps on the latest beta, ensuring smooth adoption when Android 16 officially launches.

What do you think about these new features? Let us know in the comments below! 🚀