Android 16 Rumoured to Launch in 2025: Everything You Need to Know So Far

As Android 15 approaches its stable release, Google has already set its sights on the future with Android 16, expected to launch in 2025. Android enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating what the next major update will bring, especially after the significant shift with Android 15, which decoupled the platform update from the Pixel 9 series. This decoupling allowed both Google’s software and hardware to evolve on independent timelines, offering greater flexibility in refinement.

Although iQOO 12 owners are among the first to experience Android 15, attention has quickly shifted to Android 16, which is rumored to introduce a variety of new features, performance upgrades, and user interface changes.

Here’s a look at what we know so far and what might be on the horizon for the upcoming Android 16 update.

Android 16: Expected and Leaked Features

1. Desktop Windowing Mode

One of the features expected to carry over from Android 15 is Desktop windowing, a game-changing update that lets users run multiple apps simultaneously and resize their app windows—functioning similarly to a traditional desktop. This feature also introduces a fixed taskbar at the bottom of the screen, displaying both active and pinned apps. Additionally, Android 16 will likely include a new header bar with window controls, further enhancing the desktop experience.

Android 16 could further refine this by introducing a hidden toggle called "Enable desktop mode on secondary display," replacing the older "Force desktop mode" option. This tweak would expand the feature set beyond the current capabilities, making it more versatile for users who want to use Android across various displays.

2. Revamped Settings Page

In Android 15 Beta 3, there were clues of a redesigned Settings homepage, but this overhaul didn’t go live in the later betas. However, the redesigned settings page did make its debut in Android 15 QPR 1 Beta 2, making it likely that this change will be included in Android 16, according to reports from Android Authority. The new layout is expected to make navigation more intuitive, offering a cleaner, more modern interface for users to manage their device settings.

3. Improved Screen Recording and Screencasting Chips

Another anticipated feature in Android 16 is the enhancement of screen recording and screencasting chips. These upgrades were first spotted in Android 15 Beta 4.2 and became more accessible in QPR 1 Beta 2, increasing the likelihood of their inclusion in the upcoming update.

The new chips will add a timer directly in the status bar, allowing users to start or stop a recording or casting session without having to pull down the status bar. By tapping on the chip, a dialog box will appear, giving users the option to end the session. Additionally, a new icon will appear when a third-party app requests to record or cast the screen, and the dialog will emphasize "share your screen" instead of simply "start recording or casting."

4. Compact Notifications

One of the most anticipated features expected to improve the user experience in Android 16 is compact heads-up notifications. This feature, first spotted in Android 15 Beta 4 and made more widely available in Android 15 QPR 1 Beta 2, reduces the size of heads-up notifications to make them less intrusive when watching full-screen content.

In compact mode, text is shortened, and embedded images are hidden by default, though users can expand the notification by tapping the dropdown arrow. Despite the size reduction, key elements such as the notification icon, title, and reply button remain visible for essential apps like WhatsApp, ensuring that users can still engage with messages without interrupting their current activity.

Android 16: Potential Release Timeline

Google has yet to confirm the exact release date for Android 16, but based on previous trends, it’s likely that we’ll see the update debut in Q4 2025. For reference, Android 15 followed a similar timeline, with the first Developer Preview launched in February 2024, Beta 1 in April, and the stable version expected in October 2024. The source code for Android 15 was made available in September 2024.

However, there are rumors that Android 16 could arrive sooner. Leaks from the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) suggest that the next update might drop as early as Q2 2025, with a possible release window between April and June. Whether Google meets this accelerated timeline remains to be seen.

Conclusion

While Android 15 is still on the verge of its stable release, the excitement surrounding Android 16 is already building. With features like desktop windowing, revamped settings, improved screen recording, and compact notifications, Android 16 promises to deliver a more refined and versatile experience. Though Google has not officially confirmed the release date, early leaks suggest that it may arrive as soon as Q2 2025, with a wider rollout expected by Q4 2025. As always, only time will tell how accurate these rumors are, but Android users can certainly look forward to exciting improvements in the next major update. Stay tuned for more updates as Android 16 continues to take shape.