The firstbeta of Android 16isout now , ready for developers and enthusiasts eying new tricks on their supported Pixel hardware . There is not much to unpack , save for live updates ( a watered - down take on Apple ’s Live Activities organisation ) , reenforcement for the Advanced Professional Video ( APV ) codec , and television camera night fashion activation facility in apps .

The most important variety , however , is what Google calls app adaptivity . In a nutshell , app windows will be freely resizable for all screen sizes , and in every orientation .

This may not sound like much , but for a program where screen size and aspect ratio differ between each firebrand , the app ’s UX quickly becomes a non - undifferentiated infernal region . On top of that , wide-ranging variety factors such as phones , tablets , foldables , and screen background environments on large screens ( cerebrate , Samsung DeX ) , only perplex the situation for developer .

Thecompromise has either been wretched letterboxing , or a stretched - out app interface that look horrible . Some brands , such as Samsung and Oppo , devised their own custom tools for freely resize app window , but nothing universal has been available for Android enthusiasts .

Google has been take note user frustrations for a while now . Ever sinceAndroid 12L arrived on the scene , Google has supercharged its effort to better the orotund - screen experience in apps . With Android 16 , we are finally close to the nirvana , and in a rather heavy - handed way from the OS overlord .

“ Android 16 is phasing out the power for apps to restrict screen orientation and resizability on large cover , ” says the company . adaptative apps are the futurity , while those taste to impose limits on grading and orientation change will no longer be able to apply such restrictions .

In a nutshell , irrespective of the form gene or exhibit size , apps will automatically conform to the available screen real demesne . The adaptivity rule will be enforce across Android and any other hold platform where you could get at them natively , which includes :

And here is the best part : Users will havecontrolover how they want to see apps unfold on their gadget ’s projection screen . Google read Android 16 will offer an opt - in plan of attack to let exploiter stick with an app ’s default behavior foraspect proportion accommodation .

Google allow that developer might face job such as “ button going off screen , overlapping content , or screen with camera viewfinders may postulate registration , ” and to that closing , the transformation will be gradual .

In the first phase of transition this year , developers will be able-bodied to skip the adaptivity rules for their apps . But in 2026 , these ruler become the platform - blanket norm without any opt - out facility .