Google Releases Android 17 Beta 3

Android 17 development is continuing at a torrid pace with a Beta 3 release for developers. And this is a big milestone: With this release, Android 17 has reached platform stability, so the APIs are locked and developers can release Android 17-targeted apps to the Play Store.

“If you develop an SDK, library, tool, or game engine, it’s even more important to prepare any necessary updates now to prevent your downstream app and game developers from being blocked by compatibility issues and allow them to target the latest SDK features,” Android Developer vice president Matthew McCullough explains. “Please let your downstream developers know if updates are needed to fully support Android 17.”

Developers who target Android 17 can no longer opt out of maintaining orientation, resizability, and aspect ratio constraints on large screens. But Beta 3 also introduces some new features and changes, key among them:

Hidden app labels on home screen icons. Because users will be able to hide the app labels on home screen icons, Google advises developers to make sure their app icons are distinct and recognizable.

Widget improvements for large displays. Android 17 is introducing pixel density choices so that widgets will display correctly on larger external displays or displays with a high pixel density.

Picture-in-Picture enhancements. Beta 3 adds a new type of Picture-in-Picture mode called Desktop Interactive PIP where pinned windows remain interactive while staying always-on-top of other application windows in Desktop Mode.

Photo Picker customization. You can now fully customize how the Photo Picker looks in your apps with different grid view aspect ratios and other improvements.

Other camera and photo-related changes. Beta 3 adds support for the RAW14 image format, vendor-defined camera extensions, and new camera device type APIs.

Bluetooth LE hearing aid support. Android 17 adds a new Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Audio hearing aid device category so apps can distinguish hearing aids from regular headsets. Apps can also route notifications, ringtones, and alarms to connected hearing aids or the device’s built-in speaker as needed.

Privacy and security updates. There’s a new system Location button in Android 17 that can be embedded in apps, new protections against code injection attacks, and the initial support for Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC).

Those interested in testing Android 17 Beta 3 can do so by enrolling a supported Pixel device or using a 64-bit system image with the Android emulator in Android Studio.