Google Announces Android 17 Beta 1

Google will soon release the first beta of Android 17, marking a fundamental shift in how it releases new Android versions.

“Today we’re releasing the first beta of Android 17, continuing our work to build a platform that prioritizes privacy, security, and refined performance,” Google vice president of Android Developer Matthew McCullough writes. “This build continues our work for more adaptable Android apps, introduces significant enhancements to camera and media capabilities, new tools for optimizing connectivity, and expanded profiles for companion devices.”

Tied to this release, Google has replaced its traditional Developer Preview series of releases with a new continuous Canary channel for Android. This “always-on” development model will provide developers with quicker access to new Android features, a more polished beta experience with improved stability, and easier testing via over-the-air (OTA) updates that eliminate the need to manually flash hardware devices.

As with last year’s Android 16 version, Google says it will move quickly from beta to the Platform Stability milestone, which it expects to release in March. At that point, developers will have the final Android 17 APIs across the SDK and NDK and most of the new app-facing behaviors. After that, it will be “several months” to the final Android 17 release. And after that, Android 17 will continue to get quarterly updates, with a minor SDK/API release in Q4 2026.

The big news in Android 17 Beta 1 is that it removes the developer opt-out for orientation and resizability restrictions. Apps signed for Android 17 (SDK level 37) “must be ready to adapt,” Google says. “Users expect their apps to work everywhere—whether multitasking on a tablet, unfolding a device, or using a desktop windowing environment—and they expect the UI to fill the space and respect their device posture.” That said, games are exempt from these restrictions.

Beyond the large screen adaptability requirements, Android 17 Beta 1 also brings performance, media and camera, privacy and security, and connectivity improvements. There are new profiles for medical devices and fitness trackers in the Companion Device Manager, an XR Engagement Mode, and Print dialog improvements too.

Google recommends testing Android 17 Beta 1 on the Pixel Tablet, Pixel Fold, or with emulators for those devices because they provide the large screen experiences at the heart of this update. But you can enroll any supported Pixel in the Android 17 Beta for OTA updates or use any of the supported emulators with Android Studio.

And while those with a supported Pixel currently enrolled in the Android Beta will get Android 17 Beta 1 OTA, Google notes that those who wish to exit the Beta should ignore the over-the-air update to 26Q2 Beta 1 and wait for the release of 26Q1.