Discovering Android 17: Key Features and Updates Unveiled

Mumbai, March 24: Google has made significant changes to the Android development cycle in recent years, leading to earlier releases of new versions. The upcoming Android 17 has already entered the development phase, with two public betas already available, offering a glimpse into its new features and enhancements.

What’s the dessert name for Android 17?

Google no longer names Android versions after desserts, having abandoned this tradition with Android 10. Instead, they now use only version numbers for future releases. However, internally, the team still employs dessert codenames. Android 16 was dubbed “Baklava,” and the upcoming Android 17 is referred to as “Cinnamon Bun.” This sweet, spiral-shaped pastry is popular in northern Europe and North America.

Android 17: Upcoming features and changes

Bubbles

The Bubbles feature has existed for some time, but it has been limited to conversation notifications. Android 17 is expanding this functionality to all apps. In Android 17 Beta 2, users can run multiple floating apps without leaving the full-screen app. By tapping and holding an app icon, users can enable a floating bubble from the context menu. On larger devices, a dedicated bubble bar appears in the taskbar for easy organization and switching between bubbles.

Limited Connects Access

Android 17 introduces a new system-level Contacts Picker application, allowing users to select one or more contacts to share with an app. This feature enhances privacy, as apps cannot track changes made to contact information. The Contact Picker grants temporary, session-based read access to specific data fields, requiring apps to request permissions again after the session expires. Users can also select contacts from personal or work profiles.

Seamless Task Continuity

The anticipated “Task Continuity” feature in Android 17 will enable users to sync notifications, share files, and continue apps across linked Android devices. Users can transfer an app’s current state from one device to another. Android Authority explains that a suggestion will appear on the taskbar for the running app from another device. Clicking this suggestion initiates the handoff and transfers the remote app’s state. The new Handoff API in Android 17 Beta 2 allows developers to specify the application state to resume on another device, ensuring a seamless experience.

Redesigned Privacy Indicators

Android 17 Beta 2 features revamped privacy indicators, now displayed in separate circles with multiple colors. Previously, these indicators were shown in a pill-shaped green enclosure. The location icon now appears in a blue circle instead of green.

System EyeDropper

Google has introduced an “EyeDropper” app in Android 17 Beta 2, enabling other apps to request Android to pick the exact color of any pixel on the screen without needing sensitive screen-capture permissions. This addition saves developers time and reduces app file sizes.

SMS and OTP Protection

With Android 17 Beta 2, Google has enhanced OTP message protection by delaying access to OTP messages for three hours for apps not intended to receive them. This change limits OTP access to select apps while excluding the default SMS app, assistant apps, and companion apps for connected devices.

Better App Adaptability

Android 17 mandates that apps cannot restrict screen orientation and resizability on large-screen devices, a change that began with Android 16. This ensures that apps fill the available space and respect device posture on larger screens, while users can still opt in or out of using an app’s default behavior via aspect ratio settings.

Versatile Video Coding (VVC) Support

Android 17 Beta 1 introduced the Versatile Video Coding (VVC) standard (H.266), which provides video quality similar to or better than the original at reduced file sizes, provided the device supports the necessary hardware decoding.

Loudness Management

Google is implementing the CTA-2075 loudness management API in Android 17 Beta 1, allowing apps to dynamically adjust audio playback loudness based on metadata from supported AAC content and device characteristics, ensuring a consistent listening experience.

And Much More

The features discussed so far have been identified in the first two betas of Android 17. Non-Google brands like Xiaomi, OnePlus, Oppo, Vivo, and Samsung will likely have an even longer list of features, as their Android 17 builds will also incorporate features from Android 16 QPR releases.

The first major release of a new Android OS typically occurs around June. This build is distributed to most Android devices and may include additional features and upgrades from their OEMs. Google Pixels receive quarterly QPR releases with new features and upgrades.

Google has released three Android 16 QPR releases: QPR1, QPR2, and QPR3, each bringing new features and meaningful upgrades. For other brands, these new features will be included as part of Android 17, promising a wealth of new functionalities.

When Will Google Release Android 17?

Google is following a similar timeline for Android 17 as it did for Android 16, with a major SDK release expected in Q2 and a minor SDK release in Q4. As of now, two Android 17 betas have been released: Beta 1 on February 13 and Beta 2 on February 26.

• Android 17 Beta 1: February 13, 2026
• Android 17 Beta 2: February 26, 2026

Several more beta releases are anticipated before Google launches the stable build. The stable version of Android 16 was released on June 10, 2025, and it is expected that Android 17 will follow a similar timeline, likely arriving in June 2026.