Google Pixel users can now try out the Android 16 Developer Preview

Google has officially rolled out the Android 16 Developer Preview, giving Pixel users an early look at what’s coming in the next major Android release. This is a big shift from the usual schedule, as previous Developer Previews have typically dropped in February. With Android 16 set to launch in Q2 2025, Google is kicking things off three months early.

The reason? Google wants to better align Android releases with new device launches. The earlier timeline should help more devices adopt the latest Android version sooner, which is good news for users who’ve been frustrated by slow updates in the past.

For now, Android 16 DP1 is all about developers. It introduces features like improved APIs for the system photo picker, allowing apps to offer a more seamless media selection experience without needing excessive permissions. There’s also an update to Health Connect, which lets apps work with FHIR-format medical records with user consent and the latest version of Privacy Sandbox for Android. You can watch this video from the folks at 9to5Google to see all the interesting new stuff with the update:

If you’re curious about getting your hands on the Developer Preview, keep in mind that it’s not for everyone. You’ll need to manually flash or sideload the update since the Android Beta Program won’t go live until January when the Beta builds are released. And fair warning — this version is likely to be buggy and unstable.

The preview is compatible with a wide range of Pixel devices, from the Pixel 6 series up to the latest Pixel 9 Pro XL and Pixel Pro Fold. Even the Pixel Tablet and Pixel Fold are included in the list. Unfortunately, older Pixel models like the Pixel 5 and earlier are left out, which isn’t surprising given Google’s focus on its newer Tensor-powered devices.

For those running Android 15 QPR2 Beta 1, you’ll need to wipe your device to move to the Android 16 Developer Preview, so be prepared to back up your data.

If you’re tempted to install it, but aren’t sure how, you might want to wait until the Beta Program makes things easier. But if you’re ready to dive in and don’t mind a bit of risk, guides are available to walk you through the process. Just know that flashing the build will reset your phone, so proceed with caution.

This early release marks the start of a long journey to Android 16’s final release. A second Developer Preview is set for December, followed by Betas starting in January. Google is targeting platform stability by March 2025, which means developers will have plenty of time to test their apps before the Q2 launch.

If you’re not up for the manual process, it’s best to wait for the smoother Beta rollout. Either way, Android 16 is already shaping up to be an exciting update, even in these early stages.