Google today announced the release of Android 16 Beta 2, which brings new pro camera features, UltraHDR image updates, new AGSL effects, and more.
“Today we’re releasing the second beta of Android 16, continuing our work to build a platform that enables creative expression,” Google vice president Matthew McCullough writes in the announcement post. “This build adds new support for professional camera experiences, graphical effects, extends our performance framework, and continues the evolution of features related to privacy, security, and background tasks.”
Windows Intelligence In Your Inbox
Sign up for our new free newsletter to get three time-saving tips each Friday — and get free copies of Paul Thurrott’s Windows 11 and Windows 10 Field Guides (normally $9.99) as a special welcome gift!
“*” indicates required fields
Android 16 will be the first major release of this OS to ship before the end of Q2 in the calendar year, so it’s on a shorter than usual schedule. Key new features for developers in Android 16 Beta 2 include a new content API related to the live wallpaper framework, CPU and GPU Headroom APIs in the Android Dynamic Performance Framework (ADPF) for thermal throttling, Android Keystore sharing, and a new MediaQuality package with audio and video profiles for TVs.
There are also several new camera-related features, like hybrid auto exposure (with precise color temperature and tint adjustments) capabilities, improved UltraHDR image support (HEIC encoding compatibility and new parameters from the ISO 21496-1 draft standard), motion photo capture intent actions, and custom graphical effects with AGSL. And there are also some behavior changes too. Edge-to-edge opt-out is going away, body sensor permissions are becoming more granular, abandoned jobs are evolving, and intent redirect is getting some security updates.
Android 16 Beta 2 is available now for supported Pixel devices (Pixel 6 and newer, including Pixel Tablet, Pixel Fold, Pixel Pro Fold, and all “a” models) as an over-the-air (OTA) update. You can also obtain Android 16 Beta 2 as a system image you can use with the Android emulator in Android Studio. Either way, if you previously installed Beta 1, you will get Beta 2 OTA. Google recommends that developers working on Android 16-compatible apps use the latest Android Studio Meerkat preview release.
You can learn more about Android 16 on the Android Developer website.
