Android 16 is now available for some users: How to get it

Android 16 update: Google today announced the first developer preview of its next-generation Android 16 mobile operating system. The Android 16 Developer Preview 1 has been rolled out a bit early compared to the time, the company announced the first developer preview of the Android 15. For the unversed, the company rolled out Android 15 Developer Preview 1 in February this year.

The announcement comes shortly after the company confirmed that it will announce Android 16 earlier than usual.

Android 16 features: Everything we know so far

While Android 16 is still in the nascent stages of development, the company has already given us a glimpse of some of the features that users will get to use on final roll out. Here are the new features that are available as a part of Android 16 Developer Preview 1:

Photo picker: This feature will give users a more effective way to grant an app access to selected images and videos from both local and cloud storage, instead of their entire media library. "This allows it to feel like a more integrated part of the app while still leveraging the process isolation that allows users to select media without the app needing overly-broad permissions," the company added.

Health records: Android 16 will also get a health record functionality that will let users use apps to read, edit and store their medical records in a way that protects their privacy. Accessing these records explicit consent from a user.

How to get Android 16 on your smartphone

At the moment, Android 16 is accessible only on Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel Fold, Pixel Tablet, Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8a, Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and the 9 Pro Fold. Here is a step-by-step guide of how Pixel users can access the early version of Android 16 on their Pixel phones:

Step 1: Install the latest Preview version of Android Studio on the supported Pixel phone.

Step 2: In Android Studio, click Tools and then click the SDK Manager.

Step 3: In the SDK Tools tab, select the latest version of Android Emulator, and then click OK.

Step 4: In Android Studio, click Tools and then click the Device Manager.

Step 5: Next, click Add a new device and then Create Virtual Device in the Device Manager panel.

Step 6: Select a device definition for a supported Pixel phone in the Phone Category tab and then click Next.

Step 7: Find the Android 16 system image called VanillaIceCream, and then then click the Download button next to the Release Name.

Step 8: After the download completes, select this system image and click Next.

Step 9: Click the Finish icon.

Step 10: After returning to the list of virtual devices in the Device Manager, find the Android 16 virtual device and click Start .