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Android Developers Blog

The Android Developers blog is a platform maintained by Google to provide updates, insights, and guides for Android app developers. It publishes regular posts on various topics, including new features in Android, updates to the Android developer tools, developer success stories, and tips on developer best practices. The blog is targeted towards developers working on Android apps and aims to help them optimize their apps for the Android platform. It also encourages developers to share their experiences, ideas, and achievements in app development.
Android Developers Blog android-developers.googleblog.com
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RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Aug 19, 2024

Thread Of Notes

Eclipsa Video: HDR That Looks Right on Every Screen

Android's Product Managers introduced Eclipsa Video to address inconsistencies in HDR video playback across different screens. Currently, the same HDR video can appear jarringly bright or dull depending on the display. Eclipsa Video is a new standard, building on SMPTE ST 2094-50, designed for consistent and comfortable video rendering. It eliminates guesswork by providing precise guidelines for displays on how to render image brightness. Eclipsa Video offers a consistent baseline brightness for readability and avoids uncomfortable glare. It also provides adaptive headroom, intelligently scaling highlights on mobile screens to prevent blinding transitions. The format preserves creative intent by carrying frame-by-frame instructions for color, contrast, and mood. Starting with Android 17, Eclipsa Video support is integrated directly into the platform for phones, tablets, and TVs. Developers and creators are invited to implement Eclipsa Video playback and capture using provided guides and open-source tools. As an open standard, Eclipsa Video is expected to gain wider adoption by app developers and hardware manufacturers over time.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/06/eclipsa-video-hdr-review.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Yesterday

Expanded billing choice and lower fees on Google Play

Google Play is updating its business model to offer developers more flexibility and support their growth. A new billing choice program will allow developers globally to use alternative billing systems or link to their own websites for purchases within the UK and EEA, with expansion planned for other markets. This program offers more options for handling digital commerce alongside Google Play's existing billing. Starting June 30, 2026, service fees will be separated from billing fees in the US, EEA, and UK. The initial service fee will be 10% on the first $1 million in annual earnings for all transactions, including auto-renewing subscriptions. For other transactions, fees will vary based on whether the user's app install is new or existing in a region. An additional 5% billing fee will apply for transactions using Google Play's billing system in the US, UK, and EEA. Developers using alternative billing or external links will not incur this billing fee. Google is also introducing revamped Games Level Up and a new Apps Experience program. Developers whose apps and games meet specific requirements for these programs can qualify for reduced service fee rates. Detailed guidelines for these programs are available, with program rate cards becoming active on September 30, 2026. These updates will roll out on a staggered timeline across all markets. Developers are encouraged to review the program details and guidelines to prepare for the upcoming changes.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/06/play-expanded-billing.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 24

Android developer verification: Building a safer ecosystem together

Android is strengthening its ecosystem security with developer verification, a program launched last year to deter malicious actors by requiring developer registration. Millions of apps have already been registered, covering a significant portion of app installations. New verification protections will go into effect on September 30, 2026, initially in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand, across seven major app stores. This initiative aims to create a safer app environment across the industry. To streamline the process, new APIs are being introduced to enable bulk app registration and direct integration into CI/CD pipelines. The Android Developer ID Status API will check existing registrations, while the Android Developer Console API will allow direct management of package names. These APIs will support OAuth delegation for third-party platforms. A new system service will be installed on most Android devices starting in June 2026 to facilitate developer verification. Limited distribution accounts for students and hobbyists will be available globally in August 2026. An advanced flow for installing apps from unverified developers will also launch in August, including security checkpoints. Following a phased rollout and feedback, the Android verification requirement will expand globally in 2027. Developers distributing in the initial four countries are urged to complete verification by the September deadline.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/06/android-developer-verification.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 18

Building a Mixed-Reality Tour Guide with Android XR, the Geospatial API, and Gemini

Google announced the preview of the Geospatial API in ARCore for Jetpack XR, bringing its Visual Positioning System (VPS) to Android XR. This technology enables digital content to anchor to the physical world with high accuracy and orientation in supported regions. To demonstrate its potential, a team developed the XR Geospatial Tour, an immersive, hands-free walking tour experience. This demo combines the Geospatial API, Gemini API with Firebase AI Logic, Google Maps Grounding, and the Jetpack XR SDK.The Geospatial API leverages computer vision to provide more accurate location and heading than GPS. The application monitors accuracy thresholds, prompting users to move to recognized outdoor areas if indoors or in unsupported locations. To create the tour itinerary, the Gemini API is prompted with user coordinates to generate structured JSON responses detailing nearby walking tours. Google Maps Grounding is used to anchor the AI's generated locations, preventing inaccuracies.Dynamic voiceovers are implemented using the gemini-2.5-flash-tts model, which can directly return audio data. This adds a present and engaging element to the virtual tour guide. Jetpack Compose for XR is used to render spatial components and bring the tour to life in 3D. The team built custom composables like InfoSphere to display points of interest interactively.By combining Jetpack Compose for XR with the Geospatial API and Gemini, developers can create spatial experiences that understand both user location and context. The availability of the Geospatial API lowers the barrier for building world-scale spatial applications on Android. Developers can apply for the Android XR Developer Catalyst Program to gain access to XREAL Project Aura devkits. This initiative aims to foster innovation in Android XR development.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/06/android-xr-geospatial-api-gemini.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 17

Android 17 is here

Android 17 has been released, transitioning the operating system into an intelligence system centered around apps. It emphasizes adaptive-first development with mandatory large-screen resizability and enhances privacy, security, media, camera, and performance. The source code is now available on AOSP for developers to examine. Android 17 integrates hardware, software, and AI to anticipate user needs and offers new opportunities for app engagement. AppFunctions, a platform API, allows apps to contribute capabilities as orchestratable "tools" for AI agents. The Jetpack library simplifies the implementation of AppFunctions through class annotations and KDoc comments.With over 580 million large-screen devices, adaptive development is crucial, hence the shift to an adaptive-first standard. Android 17 removes orientation and resizability restrictions on large screens for apps targeting API level 37, requiring them to adapt to any window size. New multitasking features include App Bubbles for floating apps, a Bubble Bar on large screens to manage these bubbles, and interactive Picture-in-Picture for desktop environments. Activity recreation defaults have been updated to prevent disruptive state loss during configuration changes.The "Continue On" feature allows seamless task transitions between Android devices. Jetpack Compose is now the primary way to build adaptive apps, with all new Android APIs and libraries exclusively for Compose. Legacy View components are now in maintenance mode. Android 17 includes performance improvements, such as stricter app memory limits that will terminate offending processes. Generational garbage collection and a lock-free MessageQueue further enhance performance by reducing CPU usage and UI stutter.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/06/Android-17.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 16

What’s New in Android XR: Tooling, Engine Support, and Ecosystem Updates

The Android XR ecosystem is experiencing rapid growth with new tooling and expanded engine support. Developer Preview 4 of the Android XR SDK is now available, allowing developers to build and iterate on both immersive and augmented experiences from their laptops. This preview includes libraries for targeting different XR experiences and an emulator in Android Studio for hardware-free testing. The Jetpack Projected library enables developers to extend existing mobile apps for intelligent eyewear, adapting behavior based on device availability. Specialized tools and updated Jetpack Compose Glimmer components facilitate UI building and optimize legibility on optical see-through displays. For immersive experiences, Developer Preview 4 offers Kotlin-first architectural upgrades and an early preview of the Geospatial API for wired XR glasses. This API, combined with ARCore and Google's Visual Positioning System, allows digital content to be anchored to precise real-world locations. Official support has been added for Unreal Engine and Godot, alongside existing Unity support, to ease the transition of existing XR experiences. The Android XR Engine Hub, a desktop tool for Windows, further shortens iteration cycles by enabling real-time testing within engine viewports. The Android XR Developer Catalyst Program is open for applications, offering pre-release hardware and support to selected developers. Developers can begin building now with the Samsung Galaxy XR available and Developer Preview 4 of the SDK. Comprehensive technical sessions are also available on the Android XR YouTube Playlist.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/06/what-is-new-android-xr.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 15

Top 3 updates for Android developer productivity

Google I/O has introduced new announcements and resources for Android development, including the expansion of AI and agent-assisted tooling. The Android CLI is now stable at version 1.0, with new features and integrations that enable more efficient navigation and precise output. This version of Android CLI introduces programmatic version lookup, support for Journeys, and bridging capability to allow agents to integrate directly with Android Studio. The Android CLI now integrates seamlessly with Android Studio, providing access to unique tooling such as performance profilers and Compose Previews. Google Antigravity now officially supports Android development with the Android resources bundle, which includes the Android CLI and skills. The Android resources bundle can be installed during onboarding or later from the Settings menu, providing Antigravity with powerful tools and knowledge to perform core tasks. The repository of Android skills is also expanding, with over 17 skills available for areas such as Adaptive UI and Jetpack Compose. Android Bench, a leaderboard for testing LLMs on real-world Android development challenges, has added new models, including Gemma 4 and Gemini 3.5 Flash, to evaluate their performance. The goal of these updates is to support Android developers wherever they choose to build, providing more helpful options for AI assistance and accelerating model improvements. By expanding its AI-assisted Android development offerings, Google is supporting developers in bringing their ideas to life faster and easier than ever before.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/06/android-developer-productivity-updates.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 9

Datadog delivers millions of in-depth performance insights with ProfilingManager

Performance regressions in mobile apps are difficult to pinpoint, causing significant developer frustration. Datadog collaborated with Google to integrate the new ProfilingManager API from Android 15 into its platforms to address this issue. This API allows programmatic collection of performance data directly from production environments. Datadog now processes millions of production profiles weekly, offering detailed visibility into real-world app performance with low overhead. ProfilingManager enables developers to move from reactive manual reproduction to proactive field analysis of performance bottlenecks. For instance, field traces helped Google identify a background service slowing down app startup. Previously, Datadog's RUM focused on high-level signals, lacking the granular code-level insights needed for root cause analysis. ProfilingManager provides CPU traces, call stack sampling, and memory analysis capabilities. The API offers granular session diagnostics, automated telemetry triggers, and proactive trace snapshots of anomalies. It also enables bottleneck detection at scale across diverse hardware and network conditions. System-enforced resource stability and on-device data controls ensure efficient and relevant data collection. Datadog built a robust infrastructure to process these detailed traces and plans to expand automated bottleneck resolution in the future.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/06/datadog-profilingmanager-performance-insights.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 8

Prioritizing Memory Efficiency: Essential Steps for Android 17

Android 17 introduces stricter app memory limits to ensure device stability and a better user experience. Apps exceeding these limits will be terminated without a stack trace. Unoptimized memory usage leads to frequent garbage collection, UI stutters, CPU strain, and battery drain, potentially causing abrupt process termination by the Low Memory Killer (LMK). To prevent this, developers should maximize bytecode optimization with R8, optimize image loading, detect and fix memory leaks using Android Studio, trim memory when apps leave the visible state, and utilize advanced memory observability tools. R8 optimization significantly reduces an app's memory footprint by shrinking code and removing unused resources, leading to improved performance metrics. Image loading is a common source of memory bloat, and optimizing bitmaps through downsampling, proper configuration, and using vector drawables is crucial. Android Studio provides powerful tools for detecting duplicate bitmaps and memory leaks, streamlining the debugging process. By adopting these strategies, developers can build more performant and stable Android applications.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/06/prioritizing-memory-efficiency-steps-for-android-17.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 2

Building Premium Android Experiences at Google I/O ‘26

Android is focusing on delivering a premium user experience across all devices, enhancing both app quality and development efficiency. Key updates aim to optimize app performance, expand app presence to other surfaces, and streamline media handling. The R8 Configuration Analyzer in Android Studio helps developers identify optimization opportunities, leading to faster app starts and fewer crashes.Memory limits in Android 17 make app optimization crucial, and R8 assists in reducing app footprint. Jetpack Glance unifies widget development for phones, watches, and cars, allowing for consistent and engaging user interactions. RemoteCompose enhances widgets with expressive capabilities and native rendering on Wear OS.CameraX and Media3 are simplifying the media lifecycle, from capture to playback. CameraXViewfinder ensures responsive previews on various form factors, while Media3 AI Effects offers a unified interface for advanced editing tools. Tools like CodecDB and Media3 Transformer facilitate professional-grade video export and editing.ExoPlayer's Scrubbing Mode provides smooth seeking, and the new CastPlayer API improves casting experiences. By leveraging these unified tools, developers can create cohesive, high-performance media journeys. These advancements aim to delight users and provide a strong return on development investment.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/06/building-premium-android-experiences-google-io-26.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 2

Top AI on Android updates for building intelligent experiences from Google I/O ‘26

At Google I/O 2026, Android was presented as evolving into an intelligence system, with a focus on integrating AI into apps. AppFunctions, a new platform API and Jetpack library, lets apps act as on-device servers, enabling them to share tools and data with system agents. Developers can generate AppFunctions easily and test them in a simulated environment using a new test agent. The early access program welcomes developers to deploy AppFunctions in production. Google also previewed Gemini Nano 4, offering features within ML Kit GenAI APIs. These include a transition to production, structured output capabilities, and prefix caching for improved performance. Firebase AI Logic Hybrid Inference lets developers choose between on-device and cloud model execution. The A2UI Jetpack Compose Renderer enables agents to display results as native UI components. The ADK for Android allows the creation of multi-agent workflows across different models. Developers are encouraged to explore code snippets, samples, and developer guides on the Android AI hub.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/05/android-ai-intelligence-system.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 26

17 Things to know for Android developers at Google I/O

Google announced advancements in Android development at Google I/O, focusing on agentic workflows and expanding the Android ecosystem. Android CLI is now stable, allowing agents to perform tasks and aiding Android Studio integration. Developers can build native Android apps with simple prompts using Google AI Studio, which supports iteration and deployment. Android Bench offers an LLM leaderboard to accelerate AI coding assistance for Android. The Migration Assistant in Android Studio assists in converting iOS apps to Android.Generative AI features are integrated for intelligent apps with advancements in on-device intelligence and cloud capabilities. AppFunctions simplifies incorporating Android MCP integrations. Compose-first UI development is emphasized, with Views moving into maintenance mode. Android is adapting across various device form factors, with Jetpack Compose at its core. New tools for Googlebook and unified widget development with Jetpack Glance were presented.Android for Cars is enhanced with Car App Library updates. Android XR is progressing with Developer Preview 4 and hardware access programs. The media lifecycle is streamlined with a production-ready toolkit, improving capture and post-production. App discovery and engagement on Google TV are boosted with pointer remote support and the Engage SDK. Optimization tools are being launched in Android 17 to help developers reduce app size.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/05/17-things-android-developers-google-io.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 19

Build native Android apps in Google AI Studio

Google AI Studio now enables users to create native Android apps quickly from simple prompts. This innovative tool requires no software installation or library configuration, making it accessible to all users. Users can generate high-quality, Kotlin-based Android apps using Jetpack Compose directly in their browser. These apps can be easily installed on devices, shared for testing, or transferred to Android Studio. The streamlined process improves the entire development lifecycle, emphasizing the user's ideas with its built-in Android emulator. Users can install apps via USB, and publish it to Google Play for testing directly from AI Studio. Furthermore, projects can seamlessly transition to Android Studio or GitHub for advanced development. Initial releases focus on personal utilities, social apps, hardware integration, and AI-powered experiences. Upcoming features include Google Play Test Track management and Firebase integrations for enhanced functionality. Several prompt examples demonstrate the capacity of the AI Studio to build practical applications. Users are encouraged to start building and inspired to discover new ways to utilize the tool. Google is actively expanding the capabilities of AI Studio for all creators.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/05/build-android-apps-google-ai-studio.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 19

Increasing app discovery and engagement on Google TV

Google is updating Google TV and Android TV with developer tools to enhance content discoverability and future-proof apps. Gemini, an AI voice assistant, now provides tailored content recommendations using app metadata. To prepare for pointer remotes, developers must support hover states, scrollable containers, and cursor clicks within their app UI. Testing with a mouse simulates pointer interaction for developers. Developers should declare pointer support in the AndroidManifest.xml file using the android.software.leanback.supports_touch metadata tag. Jetpack Compose is recommended for building adaptable and reusable UI components. The Engage SDK, formerly Video Discovery API, optimizes Resumption, Entitlements and Recommendations. The Engage SDK offers features like resuming paused videos in the 'Continue Watching' row and personalized recommendations. The Engage SDK is replacing the Watch Next API, with support ending in 2027. Developers are encouraged to begin onboarding with the Engage SDK.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/05/increase-google-tv-app-discovery.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 19

Android CLI Now Stable 1.0: Accelerate developing for Android using any agent

Android developers have various choices for agents, tools, and LLMs in app development, including Android CLI. The Android CLI, now stable at version 1.0, is designed to enhance agentic development for all Android developers. Google Antigravity now integrates Android CLI and related tools, streamlining core development tasks. Android CLI allows agents to access powerful Android Studio features for a more efficient workflow. Developers can use the "android studio" command to interact with projects, accessing tools like code analysis and previews. New commands within the "android studio" feature enable actions like file analysis and dependency management. Android CLI is now available through more package managers for easier integration. The CLI also supports "Journeys," enabling natural language testing and data collection. New Android skills are available within the CLI to improve the development process. Developers can easily initialize environments and discover/install skills via the command line. The stable release of Android CLI 1.0 is available, along with comprehensive documentation. Developers are encouraged to update Android Studio to the latest preview version.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/05/android-cli-stable-1-0-agent-development.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 19

Build for the future with the Android XR Developer Catalyst Program — Apply now!

The Android XR team announced the Android XR Developer Catalyst Program to foster innovation in the XR ecosystem. This program aims to support developers in creating new XR experiences for wired glasses and intelligent eyewear. The program targets applications in media, gaming, productivity, and health, encouraging diverse use cases. Developers accepted into the program will receive valuable resources including hardware development kits. The program offers technical support through dedicated forums and access to specialized resources. Participants can also apply for non-recoupable grants to accelerate their project development. Developers can build with Kotlin, the Jetpack XR SDK, Unity, Unreal Engine, or Godot. Existing XR Experiments and Samples provide inspiration for potential projects. Applications for the program are open to developers planning to publish within the next 6-12 months. The application deadline for the program is June 30th at 11:59 PM PDT. The Android XR team looks forward to seeing the innovative apps developed through this program.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/05/apply-android-xr-developer-catalyst.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 19

Adaptive development for the expanding Android ecosystem

Android's focus shifts to an adaptive-first development standard to cater to users across phones, foldables, tablets, and more. This shift is essential because of the growing number of large-screen devices, representing a significant market opportunity. Adaptive apps will be resilient, responsive, and ready for various surfaces to succeed. Multi-device users spend significantly more, presenting a revenue driver for developers. Google offers an "Optimized for large screens" badge in Google Play to highlight adaptive apps. Android 17 mandates adaptability for apps, removing developer opt-outs for orientation and resizability on large screens. Developers are encouraged to use new tools like the Desktop Emulator and Compose for adaptive UI development. Enhancements include new layout primitives, navigation improvements, and the MediaQuery & Styles APIs. Adaptive quality also involves non-touch input handling, with improved trackpad support and focus indicators. AI-powered tools in Android Studio and the CLI streamline adaptive app creation. Developers are encouraged to create apps that offer seamless, high-quality experiences, and Google also supports cross-platform frameworks.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/05/android-adaptive-development-ecosystem.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 19

Updates to the Android XR SDK: Introducing Developer Preview 4

Android has launched Developer Preview 4 of its XR SDK, focusing on cross-device development for various XR form factors. The platform is renaming form factors for clarity, such as "audio glasses" and "display glasses." This release includes updates to enhance immersive experiences on headsets and streamline augmented reality creation for glasses. Core libraries like XR Runtime are moving to Beta soon. The Android XR Developer Catalyst Program offers early hardware access for display/audio glasses and XREAL's Project Aura. New APIs are available for creating and testing augmented reality apps for audio and display glasses. Jetpack Compose Glimmer gets improvements like Google Sans Flex and new interactive components. Beta transitions are underway for XR Runtime and SceneCore, featuring a modern Kotlin architecture. The update introduces native glTF support in Compose for XR and a Geospatial API preview for wired XR glasses. Developers are encouraged to explore documentation, samples, and experiments to build XR experiences. The Android XR Engine Hub is introduced. The Android XR Developer Catalyst Program is open for applications to provide access to pre-release hardware.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/05/android-xr-sdk-developer-preview-4-updates.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 19

Android XR Updates for Unity, Unreal, and Godot

Android XR now officially supports Unreal Engine and Godot, alongside Unity, for XR development. The Android XR Engine Hub, currently for Windows, streams device data directly to game engines for faster iteration in "Play Mode". The Hub supports hand tracking, eye gaze, and other extensions for efficient testing without full builds. Unreal Engine support, in developer preview, uses an Android XR plugin for platform-specific features like hand tracking. Godot support, in partnership with W4 Games, is available for Godot 4.6.2 and higher, with a plugin to access vendor extensions. Unity has updated Android XR packages, including Spatial API support and Direct Preview within the editor. The Android XR Interaction Framework (AXRIF) for Unity is in developer preview and offers a toolkit for consistent Android XR interactions. AXRIF handles multimodal input transitions, gaze-assisted gesture interaction, and physics-based 2D UI interaction. Developers can now utilize the platform's native interaction model, ensuring a consistent user experience.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/05/android-xr-updates-unity-unreal-godot.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 19

Introducing Android Performance Analyzer : The Next Evolution in Profiling for Android

Android Performance Analyzer (APA) is a new Android profiling tool designed to help developers optimize app and game performance. It is suitable for all Android developers, especially those using Vulkan, focusing on speed and efficiency. APA offers a simple interface for analyzing CPU, GPU, memory, and power usage alongside system behaviors. It leverages Perfetto for system tracing and GFXReconstruct technology for graphics capture. APA is available as a standalone desktop app and integrated into Android Studio's System Trace viewer. Key features include capture control, in-depth system analysis, a tabbed interface, and project-based workflows for managing traces. It uses Vulkan debug markers and AI-assisted SQL query building for custom analysis. FPS and frame duration tracking are readily available, and significant improvements have been made to speed and stability. Case studies from The Forge, NetMarble, and Google showcase APA's effectiveness in optimizing Vulkan applications. Users are encouraged to try the beta version and report any issues.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/05/introducing-android-performance-analyzer.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 19

Android Studio I/O Edition: What’s new in Android Developer tools

Google is introducing significant advancements in Android development tools at I/O, shifting towards an "agentic" approach leveraging AI. These tools enhance developer productivity and empower AI agents within codebases. Android Studio now features agent skills, enabling AI to handle tasks like architecture, coding, testing, and debugging, using various AI providers, including local models like Gemma 4. Developers can now utilize Google AI Studio for complete Android app development, including publishing to Google Play, and leverage Android CLI for faster, more efficient building with any agent. Google AI Pro/Ultra plan users get dedicated capacity for Gemini in Android Studio. The Android Emulator now supports easy multi-device testing. Android Studio integrates with Google Play for publishing apps. Improved memory leak detection with LeakCanary streamlines troubleshooting, and Android Performance Analyzer offers in-depth analysis of app performance.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/05/whats-new-android-developer-tools.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 19

Android UI Development is Compose First

Jetpack Compose, launched almost five years ago, is the recommended UI toolkit for Android development. Compose offers features like layouts, input methods, and animation APIs to build adaptable and performant UIs. It's designed to be a productive tool, enabling faster development cycles for teams. The focus is now on making all Android UIs Compose-first. This means Compose is now the standard and the future. Essential View components will be in maintenance mode, receiving only critical bug fixes. View-based libraries and associated tools are also entering maintenance mode. New UI tools in Android Studio will exclusively support Jetpack Compose. All new documentation, code labs, and samples will prioritize Compose development. Developers are encouraged to build new features with Compose and convert existing ones. The author thanks everyone for feature requests and feedback and encourages exploring the announcement and Google I/O updates.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/05/android-ui-development-is-compose-first.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 19

What's new in Android for Cars: Unifying platforms and unlocking premium experiences

Android for Cars is experiencing significant growth, and Google is introducing updates to enrich in-car experiences for both drivers and developers. New features and templates in the Car App Library enable developers to build once and reach users across various infotainment systems. Car App Library versions 1.8.0-beta01 and 1.9.0-alpha01 are now available, offering more flexibility and components. Developers can create customized media apps for Android Automotive OS using templates, and test them with updated emulator images. Version 1.9.0-alpha brings new features for more expressive experiences, including expanded headers and spotlight sections. Developers can now utilize an adaptive mini-player and new component types for media apps. Adaptive video apps will soon enable parked users to watch video on Android Auto, with integration requiring minimal effort. Mobile widgets will also be available on Android Auto, providing new ways to engage users. Future updates will offer continuous user experiences, new conversational templates, and improved app branding. Google Maps SDK support will also be available for map-based content in POI and Weather apps. Developers are encouraged to stay updated and start building with the latest tools.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/05/android-for-cars-unifying-platforms-premium-experiences.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 19

I/O 2026: What's new in Google Play

Google Play aims to connect users with enjoyable experiences and empower developers for business success. They are expanding app discovery beyond the store to new surfaces and devices, like Gemini, allowing for broader reach. The Engage SDK provides personalized content across the ecosystem, with increased integration and global scaling. Google is enhancing the Play Store with engaging content formats like Play Shorts and the AI-powered Ask Play for improved search. In-game features like Play Games Sidekick are improving player engagement and communities are being developed. They're simplifying developer tasks using AI, automating localization and streamlining catalog management to increase efficiency. They're optimizing revenue through features like delayed charging and extended recovery periods to combat churn. Enhanced reporting and AI-powered insights are provided to measure performance and ROI. Google is also prioritizing app security, introducing a Protected with Play dashboard to monitor and configure defenses. Automated anti-spam and anti-fraud efforts are also being implemented to protect against malicious activity and financial losses. These updates aim to deliver the best return on investment for developers.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/05/io-2026-whats-new-in-google-play.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 19

What's New in Wear OS 7

Wear OS 7 introduces significant improvements in power efficiency, potentially increasing battery life by up to 10% for some users. The update integrates Gemini Intelligence for personalized and proactive assistance. New features include Live Updates for real-time information and enhanced media controls. Developers gain access to Wear Compose 1.6 and AppFunctions to streamline app development. A Wear OS 7 Canary Emulator is available for testing apps. Wear Widgets, built with Jetpack Glance, offer greater expressiveness and cohesion with other Android widgets. The Wear Workout Tracker experience is new for exercise apps. System Media Controls have been enhanced. Compose for Wear OS 1.6 offers streamlined navigation and improved list management. Updated Protolayout, Tiles, and WFF 5 provide more features. Developers are encouraged to begin building apps for the updated Wear OS platform.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/05/whats-new-wear-os-7.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 19

How FotMob leveraged cross-device discovery to score record Wear OS adoption

FotMob, a popular football platform, experienced a significant increase in Wear OS installations recently. This surge, 2-3 times higher than usual, was driven by a cross-device installation flow. The key was enabling users to discover and install the Wear OS app directly from the phone app. The team realized many users with Wear OS devices were unaware of the watch app. They used Android's Wearable library to identify connected Wear OS devices. The phone app checked for the Wear OS app's absence before prompting installation. A user-friendly prompt with a Wear OS app screenshot allowed users to initiate the install. The RemoteActivityHelper API launched the Play Store on the watch for installation. The Wearable APIs made this implementation of functionality relatively easy. This simple strategy led to over 1,500 new watch app installs within two days. FotMob's success showed the need for cross-device awareness and seamless installation. Google has now launched the In-App Install Prompts library to ease such implementations further. Developers can now easily create similar cross-device journeys for their apps.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/05/fotmob-wear-os-adoption-cross-device-discovery.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 15

Bring Native Visibility to Your VoIP App Experience with Telecom's Latest Alpha

The Jetpack Telecom library's initial release introduced CallsManager to simplify VoIP integration on Android. CallsManager manages call lifecycles and audio routing, supporting interactions with various remote surfaces. Jetpack Telecom v1.1.0 enhances the library with unified call history, call log exclusion, and native callback functionality. Unified call history allows system dialers to display call logs from third-party VoIP apps. Users can now initiate callbacks to VoIP contacts directly from their system dialer. Developers must register a system intent and manage call IDs for the callback feature to function correctly. Call log exclusion allows developers to prevent specific calls from appearing in system call logs using isLogExcluded. These integrated features are available for devices running Android 16.1 (SDK 36.1) and higher. A sample application is provided to assist developers with implementation of the new features. Native dialers use allowlists to control VoIP display, and developers can test with the Telecom Sample Dialer app.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/05/voip-native-visibility-telecom-alpha.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 14

Building for the Intelligence System on Android

Android is evolving into an intelligence system, creating new app engagement opportunities. Gemini Intelligence, a suite of new features, is being introduced for advanced Android devices. Gemini will automate tasks within selected apps, driving high-intent traffic without major code changes. AppFunctions allow developers to provide specific tools and actions to the OS for enhanced user experiences. Widgets are expanding to new form factors, starting with cars, supported by Jetpack Glance and RemoteCompose. Developers can build adaptively across various form factors like foldables and XR headsets. Jetpack Navigation 3 and Compose updates aid in creating responsive layouts. The Car App Library and Android XR SDK provide tools for device-differentiated experiences. Gemini Intelligence features will begin rolling out on select phones this summer and expand later this year. This shift aims to enhance user experiences and position developers at the forefront. More information will be available at Google I/O next week.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/05/the-android-show-developers-cut-2026.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 12

Gratitude saw 25% higher retention for widget users

Gratitude app developers created widgets to encourage daily reflection and mindfulness practices. These widgets provided quick access to journaling prompts, affirmations, and vision boards on the home screen. The widgets resulted in a 25% increase in user retention and more journal entries. The original widgets used XML-based RemoteViews, which created technical debt and design inconsistencies. To modernize, the team switched to Jetpack Glance, a declarative framework. Jetpack Glance reduced development time, improved code readability, and enabled dynamic features like color and resizing. The team also implemented Generated Widget Previews and tested extensively across various devices. To promote the new widgets, the developers used in-app widget pinning for discoverability. Refactoring the widget packages required re-prompting widget users to restore or update their widgets. As a result of this work, approximately 10% of the app's daily active users have adopted the widgets. The developers found Jetpack Glance easier and more flexible than RemoteViews and aligned better with the app's overall design. The Gratitude app experience demonstrates how widgets drive habit formation and improve user experience.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/05/how-gratitude-widgets-boosted-user-retention-25-percent.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 8

A look ahead: Making it easier and faster to publish safer apps

The Android and Google Play ecosystem constantly evolves, necessitating robust safety measures for users and developers. Google is enhancing app publishing with tools leveraging AI to identify policy violations during development like missing login credentials. Developers will have easier ways to choose compliant SDKs through built-in insights. The Play Integrity API is being strengthened to detect security threats and combat abuse more efficiently. User privacy is prioritized with tools like the contact picker and updates to related policies. Post-quantum cryptography will be implemented in Play App Signing to protect against future threats. The app publishing process is being improved for speed and predictability with pre-review checks and a release status API. Features like parallel publishing and a submission history log are designed to streamline releases. Google is introducing secure account transfers for business management and AI-powered support for developers in resolving issues. Finally, the Android ecosystem will incorporate developer verification for enhanced security. This multi-pronged approach demonstrates Google’s commitment to providing a secure and trusted platform. The overall aim is to foster a safe environment for both users and developers.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/05/making-it-easier-to-build-publish-safer-apps.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 7

Gemini and Firebase AI Logic enabled Karrot to increase sales with a translation feature built in under 2 weeks

Karrot, a popular hyperlocal peer-to-peer marketplace, faced a challenge with a significant portion of its North American users preferring non-English device languages. To enhance accessibility and improve user experience, the company sought a seamless translation solution. They evaluated on-device options like ML Kit and Gemini Nano but found them lacking in either quality or ease of implementation. Choosing Firebase AI Logic with its Android SDK proved to be the most efficient path to integrate AI-powered translations.This integration allowed Karrot to directly access Gemini Flash Lite, delivering accurate translations at conversational speeds. The development process was remarkably straightforward, with engineers building a proof of concept in under three hours. This rapid turnaround time minimized development costs and allowed the team to focus on refining prompts and user experience. The newly implemented translation feature has demonstrably driven sales, increasing purchasing conversion among non-English users.Buyers offered translation functionality were significantly more likely to initiate conversations with sellers. Karrot is now exploring further AI integrations using Firebase AI Logic to streamline other engineering workflows. Future plans include utilizing Server Prompt Templates and Remote Config for faster iteration and reduced operational overhead. This initiative highlights how AI translation can foster community connections and improve global app accessibility.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/05/how-karrot-increased-sales-with-gemini-firebase-ai-translation.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 4

What's new in the Jetpack Compose April '26 release

The Jetpack Compose April '26 release introduces stability with core module updates and new features. Key changes include updated testing APIs, using StandardTestDispatcher for more robust testing against race conditions. Enhancements to shared element animations include visual debugging tools, simplifying debugging. Improved trackpad support now treats trackpad events as mouse events, refining user interaction. New APIs offer host-level services directly, supporting Kotlin Multiplatform. Preview wrappers are introduced with the annotation, streamlining custom preview displays. Deprecated elements like Modifier.onFirstVisible() were removed, with recommendations for alternative API usages. Experimental APIs are introduced including styles, media queries, grid, flexbox and a new SlotTable implementation, with documentaion available for review and feedback. Developers are encouraged to use the latest Compose version and provide feedback on experimental updates. The upcoming Compose 1.12.0 release will update the compileSdk.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/04/jetpack-compose-april-2026-updates.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Apr 22

Streamline User Journeys with Verified Email via Credential Manager

Authentication in apps often suffers from friction due to traditional verification methods like OTPs. Google now offers a verified email credential directly through Android's Credential Manager API. This eliminates the need for users to manually verify their email outside of the app. The API provides developers with a secure way to retrieve verified user claims for various scenarios. The user experience is simplified with a native Android bottom sheet for consent, making the process one-tap. This streamlined approach allows immediate app access after consent, simplifying sign-up and account recovery. Developers should leverage this to accelerate onboarding and reduce reliance on cumbersome verification codes. The API also supports fetching other unverified user data such as name and profile picture. Developers should consider account support policies, as the Google-issued credential currently only supports regular consumer accounts. Complementing Sign in with Google, this API provides a seamless experience for traditional sign-in processes. Integrating the verified email via Credential Manager API reduces onboarding friction and creates a secure authentication journey. Developers are encouraged to explore the integration guide and update their projects.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/04/streamline-auth-credential-manager-verified-email.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Apr 22

Level up your development with Planning Mode and Next Edit Prediction in Android Studio Panda 4

Android Studio Panda 4 is now available, introducing enhancements for developers. Planning Mode allows the AI agent to create a detailed project plan before executing tasks, improving complex project architecture. This mode provides opportunities to review and amend the plan before implementation. The agent also generates a task list and a walkthrough artifact for clear progress monitoring and review. Next Edit Prediction (NEP) anticipates coding needs beyond the current cursor position, streamlining the coding process. The Gemini API Starter Template simplifies integrating generative AI into Android applications. It handles API key management, automates Firebase integration, and supports various media inputs for scalability. The Agent Web Search tool integrates web search results directly within Android Studio. This tool ensures developers access up-to-date information without leaving the IDE. Android Studio Panda 4 builds upon previous releases focused on accelerating developer productivity. The new release also incorporates an AI-powered new project flow and a version upgrade assistant. Developers are encouraged to download and explore these features, and provide feedback to improve the experience.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/04/android-studio-panda-4-planning-mode-next-edit-prediction.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Apr 21

Experimental hybrid inference and new Gemini models for Android

Android developers can now implement advanced AI features thanks to new updates to Firebase AI. Hybrid inference allows dynamic switching between on-device and cloud-based Gemini models via a unified API. This API supports Gemini Nano on-device and cloud Gemini models from Vertex AI and the Developer API. Developers can use PREFER_ON_DEVICE or PREFER_IN_CLOUD modes during GenerativeModel initialization. The Firebase hybrid inference API is experimental, available through specific dependencies, and ideal for Firebase AI Logic users. A new sample demonstrates review generation and translation using the hybrid inference. New Nano Banana models, including Pro and 2, are available for image generation with improved capabilities. The updated Magic Selfie sample now uses Nano Banana 2 for easier background changes. Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite, a new version of the Flash-Lite family, is also available for those with usage examples like in-app translation. The Gemini models are easy to integrate via the Firebase AI Logic SDK. Developers are encouraged to explore the Hybrid sample and documentation for these new features.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/04/Hybrid-inference-and-new-AI-models-are-coming-to-Android.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Apr 17

The Fourth Beta of Android 17

Android 17 Beta 4, the final scheduled beta, is now available for app compatibility and platform stability testing. Developers are urged to update their apps, libraries, and tools to ensure seamless integration with the new Android version. Key feature changes include mandatory resizability on large screens and enhanced security for dynamically loaded code. Local network access is restricted by default, requiring the new ACCESS_LOCAL_NETWORK permission for broad access. Background audio interactions are also more restricted, with specific exemptions for alarms. Android 17 introduces conservative app memory limits to improve system stability and reduce battery drain, with anomaly detection triggering heap dumps for memory leaks. Android Studio Panda integrates LeakCanary for easier memory leak detection within the profiler. On-device anomaly detection provides profiling artifacts for resource-intensive behaviors like excessive binder calls or memory usage. Android Keystore now supports post-quantum cryptography with NIST-standardized ML-DSA keys for quantum-safe signatures. Developers can enroll Pixel devices or use Android Emulator images for testing, with automatic over-the-air updates for beta testers. Compiling against the new SDK and thoroughly testing existing apps are crucial next steps for developers.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/04/the-fourth-beta-of-android-17.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Apr 16

Android CLI: Build Android apps 3x faster using any agent

Android developers now have new tools and resources for agentic workflows to improve app development. The new Android CLI offers a programmatic interface for environment setup, project creation, and device management. The CLI's "create" command allows for rapid project generation. Android CLI enhances efficiency, reducing LLM token usage and speeding up task completion, with features like SDK management, project creation, and device management. The Android Skills repository contains modular instruction sets to guide agents through common development tasks, saving developers time. The Android Knowledge Base provides agents with the latest guidelines from official sources. These tools make it easier to transition to Android Studio for more advanced development and UI fine-tuning. Android Studio offers AI-powered features for building high-quality apps targeted for various device types. The new tools, including Android CLI, Android skills, and the knowledge base, are designed to make agents more efficient. These resources leverage the latest development best practices and libraries to provide an end-to-end, AI-accelerated toolkit. Developers can download Android CLI and begin using the expanding set of skills and knowledge immediately.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/04/build-android-apps-3x-faster-using-any-agent.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Apr 16

Boosting user privacy and business protection with updated Play policies

Google Play is implementing new policies to enhance user privacy and protect businesses from fraud. The Android Contact Picker will become the standard for accessing contact information, promoting user trust. Apps using contacts must adopt the picker or other privacy-focused alternatives, with exceptions requiring justification via a Play Developer Declaration. A streamlined location button is also introduced for one-time precise location access to simplify user choices. Apps needing this access must use the button or declare why it is insufficient. For business security, Google is launching an official account transfer feature within the Play Console. This tool allows secure account ownership transfers, replacing previous, less secure methods. Unauthorized account transfers, like sharing credentials, will be prohibited. All account ownership changes must utilize the new transfer feature, which includes a seven-day security cool-down period. Play policy insights in Android Studio and pre-review checks in Play Console will help developers. Developers are encouraged to review these changes and update their apps accordingly. Further details, deadlines, and policy information are available on the Policy Announcements page.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/04/giving-users-clearer-choice-and-everyone-a-safer-more-trusted-app-ecosystem.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Apr 15

Get ready for Google I/O: Livestream schedule revealed

Google I/O 2026 will be livestreamed on May 19–20, featuring major updates from Google. The event will focus on AI, Android, Chrome, and Cloud technologies. The Google keynote will start at 10:00 am PT on May 19, followed by the Developer keynote at 1:30 pm PT. Attendees can expect live sessions, demos, and professional development opportunities from Mountain View. A key focus is the "agentic era of development," transforming software creation. Learn about new tools that allow AI to automate tasks and help developers. Enhancements for Android development will also be shown, streamlining app creation workflows. Explore new tools to build agent-ready web applications with improved automation. The event includes sessions on what is new in Android, Google AI, and Chrome. On-demand sessions and codelabs will be available starting May 21.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/04/get-ready-for-google-io-livestream-schedule-revealed.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Apr 14

Test Multi-Device Interactions with the Android Emulator

Android Emulator now simplifies testing multi-device interactions with a new networking stack. This update eliminates the need for complex port forwarding when connecting multiple Android Virtual Devices (AVDs). The new stack provides zero-configuration peer-to-peer connectivity across all AVDs on the same host machine. A shared virtual network backplane bridges running instances, enabling direct communication. This improves stability and provides consistent behavior across Windows, macOS, and Linux. The key benefits include ease of use, improved stability, and cross-platform compatibility. This is useful for multi-device app testing, continuous integration, and Android XR/AI glasses testing. The update also extends to automotive and Wear OS device testing. Multiple AVDs can now share a virtual network, enabling direct peer-to-peer communication. To get started, simply update your Android Emulator to the latest version. The new feature is enabled by default in the latest Android Emulator release (36.5). If you need help with this feature, please refer to the provided documentation.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/04/Test-Multi-Device-Interactions-with-the-Android-Emulator.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Apr 13

Announcing Gemma 4 in the AICore Developer Preview

Google introduces Gemma 4, a new open AI model designed for Android devices, enhancing on-device AI capabilities. This model serves as the foundation for the upcoming Gemini Nano 4, promising seamless integration and future updates. Gemma 4 offers improved multilingual support, covering over 140 languages for a global reach. It boasts multimodal understanding, handling text, images, and audio within applications. Developers can choose between two sizes: E4B for complex tasks and E2B for speed. Gemma 4 is significantly faster and more battery-efficient than prior versions, with increased performance. Key improvements include enhanced reasoning, math skills, and time understanding. The new model also offers better image understanding, enhancing OCR capabilities. Developers can access Gemma 4 through the AICore Developer Preview to begin testing and building. They can also use Android Studio's ML Kit Prompt API to target either the E2B or E4B models. Google will release updates during the preview, including tool calling, structured outputs, and more. Testing is available on AICore-enabled devices with performance optimizations, and on other devices through the AI Edge Gallery app.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/04/AI-Core-Developer-Preview.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Apr 2

Gemma 4: The new standard for local agentic intelligence on Android

Android is enhancing its development tools with the introduction of Gemma 4, a new open-source AI model. Gemma 4 is designed with improved reasoning and tool-calling abilities to enhance the entire Android software lifecycle. Developers can utilize Gemma 4 locally within Android Studio for code assistance, improving development. This includes refactoring code, creating whole apps, and iterative fixes, with the model staying on the user's machine. Gemma 4 also powers the next generation of Gemini Nano, optimized for use on Android devices. The on-device model provides faster performance and uses less battery than its predecessor while operating directly on device hardware. Developers can prototype these capabilities through the AICore Developer Preview using the ML Kit GenAI Prompt API. This local-first approach promotes privacy and cost-effectiveness for developers. It offers a way to build AI functionalities into apps without relying on external cloud resources. Further development will add Gemma 4 to Android Bench for performance analysis.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/04/gemma-4-new-standard-for-local-agentic-intelligence.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Apr 2

Increase Guidance and Control over Agent Mode with Android Studio Panda 3

Android Studio Panda 3, now stable, enhances AI-powered workflows for Android app development. This release provides more control and customization options. Developers can build high-quality apps more easily than before. New features improve the developer experience by letting the AI Agent learn and by giving granular control over permissions. Additional updates support building Android apps for cars, improving this experience. Agent skills, specialized instructions, teach the agent new capabilities like custom code reviews. Users create skills in a project and the agent automatically learns, or can manually select skills using the "@" operator. Developers also have greater control over Agent Mode permissions, including granular permissions and an optional sandbox. A new "Empty Car App Library App" template simplifies building driving-optimized apps. Panda 3 builds on Panda 2's AI improvements, including new project flows and upgrade assistants. Download Android Studio Panda 3 to explore and accelerate development with these new features. Feedback is encouraged, with resources for reporting bugs and joining the community provided.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/04/Increase-Guidance-and-Control-over-Agent-Mode-with-Android-Studio-Panda-3.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Apr 2

Android Studio supports Gemma 4: our most capable local model for agentic coding

Google has introduced Gemma 4, a new AI model for coding assistance within Android Studio. This model operates locally, offering developers privacy, cost-efficiency, and offline functionality. Gemma 4's key benefits include enhanced privacy by keeping code on your machine and reduced costs by avoiding API key usage. It provides state-of-the-art reasoning for complex coding tasks in Agent Mode. Developers can use Agent Mode to design new features, refactor code, and fix bugs. Recommended hardware requirements vary based on the chosen Gemma 4 model size, with higher RAM needs for larger models. To utilize Gemma 4, developers need to install an LLM provider like LM Studio or Ollama and download the model. After configuration, Gemma 4 can be selected as the active model in Agent Mode. Google encourages user feedback to improve the AI experience in Android Studio. Users are encouraged to report bugs and engage with the Android developer community.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/04/android-studio-supports-gemma-4-local.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Apr 2

Get your Wear OS apps ready for the 64-bit requirement

Wear OS is now requiring all new apps and updates with native code to include 64-bit versions alongside their 32-bit counterparts starting September 15, 2026. This change aligns Wear OS with other Google platforms and enhances user experiences through improved performance and future innovation. Google Play will block non-compliant apps from being uploaded after this date. The policy will continue to support existing 32-bit devices, and most developers have already transitioned to 64-bit. Apps written purely in Kotlin or Java generally do not require code changes, but it's crucial to check for any underlying native code dependencies. Developers can inspect their APK or app bundle for native libraries using Android Studio's APK Analyzer. The primary goal is to ensure parity, meaning for every supported 32-bit native architecture, a corresponding 64-bit architecture must be provided. If third-party SDKs only offer 32-bit versions, developers should request 64-bit compliant updates from their providers. Testing 64-bit compatibility can be done using the Wear OS Android Emulator to confirm the app functions and performs equivalently to its 32-bit version. Developers are encouraged to refer to detailed documentation for further guidance on this transition.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/04/get-your-wear-os-apps-ready-for-64-bit-requirement.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Apr 1

Media3 1.10 is out

Media3 1.10 has been released, bringing new features and improvements. The release enhances the Compose UI for media playback with new Material 3 components like Player and ProgressSlider. Playback speed control is also improved with a dedicated PlaybackSpeedControl and PlaybackSpeedToggleButton. ExoPlayer gains support for Dolby Vision Profile 10 and VVC tracks in MP4 containers. MPEG-H UI manager support and improved IAMF binaural output are now available. Ad playback reliability and HLS interstitial support have been enhanced, along with custom tab integration for ad click-throughs. MediaSessionService now extends LifecycleService for better lifecycle management. Experimental support for more efficient playback loop scheduling is now available in ExoPlayer. Media editing sees more robust speed adjustments with a new maximum output frame rate option in Transformer. Functionality for frame extraction and Lottie effects has been moved to separate modules. Developers are encouraged to provide feedback through the issue tracker.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/03/media3-110-is-out.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Mar 30

Monzo boosts performance metrics by up to 35% with a simple R8 update

Ben Weiss, a Senior Developer Relations Engineer, shared Monzo's success story with app performance improvements. Monzo, a UK digital bank, identified app startup time as a critical issue needing attention. They discovered that enabling full R8 optimizations drastically reduced their Application Not Responding rate by 35%. This significant improvement was achieved with a single, simple change.Monzo's primary modification involved switching from the default proguard-android.txt file to proguard-android-optimize.txt. This change removed the -dontoptimize instruction, allowing R8 to perform its intended optimizations. Consequently, Monzo observed an increase in startup reliability, with cold, warm, and hot starts all improving. Launch speed also saw marked improvements, with P50 and P90 times decreasing. Furthermore, the app size was reduced by 9%.After enabling R8 optimizations, Monzo reviewed and refined their Keep configuration files. They removed unnecessary rules, enabling R8 to optimize more of the codebase. To further enhance user experience, Monzo implemented Baseline Profiles. This focused on optimizing scroll and rendering performance for their main feed, a common user journey. The impact was substantial, with P90 and P95 scroll performance becoming significantly faster.Monzo integrated Baseline Profile generation into their release process, ensuring continuous improvement. Weiss recommends that other teams stay updated with modern Android development recommendations. He advises regularly reviewing current practices against Google's latest advice on app performance. Proper documentation of Keep Rules proved essential for Monzo, allowing them to identify and safely remove obsolete rules.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/03/monzo-boosts-performance-metrics-by-up-to-35-percent.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Mar 30

Android developer verification: Rolling out to all developers on Play Console and Android Developer Console

Android is introducing a new developer verification system to enhance app safety. This measure aims to combat malware found in sideloaded apps, which is significantly more prevalent than on Google Play. The verification process allows developers to register their apps, improving security without drastically altering the user experience. While the verification tools are rolling out now, user-facing changes will begin later this year, starting in select regions. Most app downloads will remain unchanged for the majority of users. Power users will still have the flexibility to install unregistered apps through advanced flows or ADB. The verification process has been refined based on developer feedback to integrate seamlessly with existing workflows. Students and hobbyists will have access to a free, limited distribution account option. The system service Android Developer Verifier will begin appearing in device settings in April 2026. App registration will become mandatory for installation and updates in specific countries by September 30, 2026, with a global rollout planned for 2027.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/03/android-developer-verification-rolling-out-to-all-developers.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Mar 30

Redefining Location Privacy: New Tools and Improvements for Android 17

Android 17 introduces new location privacy features enhancing user control and data minimization. The core focus is balancing user experience with privacy, emphasizing transparency and data management. A key feature is the "location button," offering a streamlined approach for one-time precise location access. This button provides a clear pathway for users to grant limited, session-based location permissions. Developers can customize the button's appearance to fit their app's design while maintaining system-wide recognition. Integration is simplified through a Jetpack library with automatic backwards compatibility for older Android versions. Location access transparency is improved with a persistent indicator showing when apps access location data. Users can view and manage recent location access through the indicator. Density-based coarse location algorithms enhance privacy by adjusting grid sizes based on population density, especially in low-population areas. The redesigned runtime permission dialog clarifies "Precise" and "Approximate" choices to guide user decisions. These new tools are available in Beta 3, and feedback is welcomed to refine functionalities before the general release. This update prioritizes building a smoother and more private mobile experience for users.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/03/location-privacy.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Mar 26

The Third Beta of Android 17

Android 17, now at platform stability with Beta 3, allows final app testing and Play Store submissions. The update introduces various features for building improved apps, including new APIs. Developers of SDKs and libraries need to update their tools to prevent compatibility issues. Testing involves checking for functional and UI problems related to behavior changes. Key changes include resizability on large screens and enforcement of read-only for dynamically loaded native libraries. Enhancements are coming to media and camera, with features like Photo Picker customization and RAW14 support. New APIs also provide vendor-defined camera extensions.Bluetooth LE Audio hearing aid support and granular audio routing are also available. Performance and battery optimization include reduced wakelocks with listener support for alarms. Privacy updates encompass a system-provided location button and discrete password visibility settings. Security features include enforced read-only dynamic code loading and PQC hybrid APK signing. User experience improvements include better widget support and hidden app labels. Additional features include a redesigned screen recording toolbar and VPN app exclusion settings. OpenJDK 25 and 21 API updates are also included with these changes.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/03/the-third-beta-of-android-17.html android-developers.googleblog.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Mar 26