Android 16 Developer Preview 2 out now: Here are all the new features

has released the second Developer Preview of Android 16, introducing significant performance improvements and new APIs focused on app optimization and security. The update is available immediately for Pixel devices, from the Pixel 6 through the latest Pixel 9 series.
The preview's standout feature is the new ProfilingManager API, which enables system-triggered performance monitoring for critical events like app cold starts and ANR (App Not Responding) incidents. This addition aims to help developers identify and resolve performance bottlenecks more effectively.
Developers will also benefit from enhanced app start diagnostics through the updated ApplicationStartInfo API, which introduces new methods for identifying startup components. The release includes improved job management capabilities, with new JobScheduler APIs providing better insights into pending tasks and runtime quotas for background processing.
Security improvements feature prominently in DP2, with the integration of AES-256 encryption for WiFi location data through the WiFi 6's 802.11az standard, addressing potential man-in-the-middle attack vulnerabilities.
The preview introduces several user-facing enhancements, including custom haptic feedback options and cloud search integration in the photo picker. Health Connect features have been expanded with new activity intensity measurements based on WHO standards.
Google has outlined its Android release roadmap for 2025, planning two major API releases: a significant behavior-focused update in Q2 and a minor optimization update in Q4. The company expects to achieve Platform Stability by March 2025, giving developers sufficient time for testing and adaptation.
The Android 16 DP2 update is rolling out via OTA to devices running DP1, while new users can manually install the preview. Compatible devices include the entire Pixel lineup from the Pixel 6 forward, including tablets and foldable devices. The public Beta Program is scheduled to launch next month.