Overview
- Google began over‑the‑air distribution of Android 17 Beta 1 via the Android Beta Program, with emulator images available for developers.
- Cleartext traffic is blocked by default for apps targeting API level 37 unless a Network Security Configuration is provided, and HPKE hybrid cryptography is exposed through a new SPI.
- Apps targeting Android 17 must support resizing and orientation changes on large screens (sw ≥ 600dp), with several manifest attributes ignored and a new recreateOnConfigChanges flag available where restarts are needed.
- Under‑the‑hood updates include a lock‑free MessageQueue, generational garbage collection in ART, and new profiling triggers, plus media additions such as dynamic camera session updates, constant‑quality video recording, and VVC (H.266) support.
- Google targets Platform Stability in March and a Q2 2026 stable release on a quarterly cadence, while Pixel Launcher gains a slimmer, customizable search bar and an option to remove At a Glance.