- Android 16 Beta 2 is officially out now on compatible Google Pixel devices.
- The update brings some changes and tweaks focused on app developers instead of users.
- Google is preparing for Google I/O 2025 where it will officially announce Android 16 followed by its stable rollout in late spring.
Another day, another update coming right on time. Android 16 Beta 2 build is finally available to all Google Pixel users who have signed up for the Android 16 beta program. The latest build brings a few easy-to-spot features and a lot of behind-the-scenes tweaks that will eventually end up in the stable Android 16 later this year. Trust me, this is a more developer-inclined update so yeah, if you are willing to experiment, you’ll certainly enjoy it.
What’s New in Android 16 Beta 2?
Android 16 Beta 2, the second beta builds coming just a few weeks after the first beta build was released. The update now brings hybrid auto-exposure modes on the Camera2 package. These modes actually allow users to control ISO or exposure manually while the camera system takes care of other aspects. This is inclined towards finer adjustments that you would want to do especially if you are a video app developer (or user, again, it’s a developer-focused update).
There’s support for UltraHDR images in HEIC file format supported by iPhones. Although this update won’t affect users even a penny, but it will help Google achieve simpler cross-device development in the future by adhering to recognized standards.
Moving on, Android 16 Beta 2 now ensures a mandatory edge-to-edge feature that tends to remove both status bar and navigation controls when you view apps in full-screen mode. In fact, Apps running on Android 16 won’t have any option to opt out of it, possibly triggering compatibility issues in case the app developers try to workaround.
Some other changes made to Beta 2 include text handling for certain languages has changed, app permissions for data access from wearable devices has changed among others that you can find in Google’s developer documentation.
Android 16 Beta 2 is available across Google Pixel 6 and newer as well as Pixel tablet. You’ll have to sign on for Android 16 beta program and get it, the beta build can be unstable since Google is still testing it out. You can wait for the stable Android 16 coming in late spring.
We will get to see Android 16 as it announces at the upcoming Google I/O 2025 happening on May 20 at 10am PT.
