Google has released the first official preview - or beta - version of its upcoming Android 17 operating system.
The beta was originally scheduled to become available on February 11th, but for unexplained reasons Google delayed the rollout - and the release only went live on February 13th.
Android 17 will likely be a largely invisible update for most everyday users, as Google has in recent years shifted to a development approach where major Android releases mainly improve under-the-hood system functions. Visual changes, meanwhile, are now distributed as separate updates, typically at very different speeds depending on the manufacturer.
One major change arriving with Android 17 will still affect regular users: it forces app developers to properly support large screens.
With Android 17, apps will no longer be allowed to lock themselves to a specific aspect ratio or, for example, run on tablets only in portrait orientation. Apps must also function on devices that support windowed modes.
In other words, Google is requiring developers to better account for tablet and foldable-phone users. Poor tablet app support in particular has long been one of Android's weak points compared to Apple's ecosystem.
The first beta released now will be followed by a second beta in March 2026, at which point Android 17's feature set will be 'locked'. This means no new changes will be introduced to the operating system, and subsequent updates will focus solely on bug fixes.
The final version of Android 17 intended for general users is expected to launch in summer 2026. For non-Google phones, distribution will likely begin in autumn 2026. It is already known fairly precisely which phones will eventually receive the Android 17 update.
Although Android 17 is primarily aimed at developers, it can also be installed on a personal device if desired. Supported devices include all Google Pixel phones starting from the Google Pixel 6 onward, as well as the Google Pixel Tablet.
You can download Android 17 here.
Android 17 will likely be a largely invisible update for most everyday users, as Google has in recent years shifted to a development approach where major Android releases mainly improve under-the-hood system functions. Visual changes, meanwhile, are now distributed as separate updates, typically at very different speeds depending on the manufacturer.
One major change arriving with Android 17 will still affect regular users: it forces app developers to properly support large screens.
With Android 17, apps will no longer be allowed to lock themselves to a specific aspect ratio or, for example, run on tablets only in portrait orientation. Apps must also function on devices that support windowed modes.
In other words, Google is requiring developers to better account for tablet and foldable-phone users. Poor tablet app support in particular has long been one of Android's weak points compared to Apple's ecosystem.
The first beta released now will be followed by a second beta in March 2026, at which point Android 17's feature set will be 'locked'. This means no new changes will be introduced to the operating system, and subsequent updates will focus solely on bug fixes.
The final version of Android 17 intended for general users is expected to launch in summer 2026. For non-Google phones, distribution will likely begin in autumn 2026. It is already known fairly precisely which phones will eventually receive the Android 17 update.
Although Android 17 is primarily aimed at developers, it can also be installed on a personal device if desired. Supported devices include all Google Pixel phones starting from the Google Pixel 6 onward, as well as the Google Pixel Tablet.
You can download Android 17 here.
