Google is only making Android 16 Developer Preview 1 available for manual download so that users don’t accidentally install it, as it’s not intended for consumer use. However, after installing the first developer preview, enrolled devices will automatically get OTA updates for future previews and beta releases.

Want to check out Android 16 Developer Preview 1? Then you need to have one of these Pixel devices.The Latest Tech News, Delivered to Your Inbox

However, Google announced at the end of last month that it’s accelerating Android’s release schedule. The company confirmed it plans to release Android 16 sometime in Q2 of 2025. One leak points towards a June 3, 2025, release date for Android 16, but that hasn’t been confirmed yet.

In 2025, Google plans to release the next version of Android a quarter earlier than usual 'to better align' with the launch of popular Android smartphones.

Because Android 16 Developer Preview 1 is here, you are probably wondering what’s new and what you can get excited about whenever this moves into a beta. Since we have this early build up on both a Pixel 9 Pro and a Pixel 9 Pro Fold,

Android 16 is coming earlier than normal, and that means we're getting our first glimpse at the upgrade a few months early.