Android 16 is out now. This is a new feature.

Android 16 has just arrived, following the high heels of iOS 26 Beta. Google will also go all out to steal Apple’s thunder and introduce some new updates directly related to iOS features.

Although Google has historically released new Android versions between August and September, the tech giant confirmed last month that it will debut this year in early June. The day has arrived and on Wednesday, Android 16 landed on a select Google Pixel model. Other Android devices will have to wait longer, and Google plans to launch updates more widely in the coming months.

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We’ve heard a lot about Android 16 before this week. Google launched a public beta in January, allowing Android fans to get a look at new changes sooner rather than later. Now that it no longer uses Beta, here are some features that reach Android 16.

Real-time updates and tidy notifications

One of the most famous new features of Android 16 is the introduction of live updates, which is actually Google’s version of Apple’s live event. This allows app developers to implement notifications including a real-time progress bar to help users track time-sensitive activities such as Uber Trips and Food Offries.

However, real-time updates are not fully implemented yet. While this week’s Android 16 release allows developers to start creating and customizing these notifications, the OS won’t prioritize them, nor will they expand on the always display until it’s updated later.

Credit: Google

Notifications in a single app will also be automatically grouped together to make your phone display more organized. This should mean that after you put down your phone for a while, you are unlikely to be overwhelmed by a lot of information and alerts.

Adaptive edge-to-edge application

Credit: Google

Like Apple, Google’s latest operating system is also very focused on aesthetics, and Android 16 lays the foundation for its planned material 3 expressive update. This week, Google’s OS updates will force applications to edge-to-edge to fill the user’s entire screen to accommodate different screen sizes and aspect ratios. Previously, developers were able to opt out of edge to edge, but with Android 16, this would no longer be an option.

Predictions are made by default

Android 16 further relies on predictiveness, which was previously chosen by developers. Originally introduced in Android 13, this allows users to long press the buttons in the back to see which screen you will take you to. Such system animations should make navigation to your Android phone more predictable.

Scam protection function

Credit: Google

This week’s Android update also comes with some new features for security, especially protecting users from scams. Android 16’s activation protection includes various security features designed to protect users from a range of malicious attacks, whether from dangerous websites or scams.

For example, Android 16’s scam detection whether an AI tool detects suspicious conversations, which focuses on common deceptions like Toll Road, Crypto, and tech support scams. It also has protections in the call to prevent users from granting control of others to seize their devices, as tricking people into allowing such access is a common technique among scammers. Activated protection can be turned on in the security and privacy settings of your phone.