A few days ago, Google announced the impending release of the first Android 17 beta. After a brief halt, it has now resumed the rollout, and Android 17 Beta 1 is available for Pixel devices.
This beta build enhances the adaptability of Android apps and introduces significant improvements to camera and media functionalities. Furthermore, it expands profiles for companion devices and includes new tools to optimize connectivity.
In addition, Google has replaced Developer Previews with Android Canary, introduced last year. The continuous Canary channel offers several advantages:
- Faster Access: Features and APIs appear in Canary as soon as they pass internal testing, rather than waiting for a quarterly release.
- Better Stability: Early "battle-testing" in the Canary channel results in a more polished Beta experience, with APIs and behavioral changes that are closer to a final version.
- Easier Testing: Canary supports OTA updates, eliminating the need for manual flashing. As a separate update channel, it integrates more seamlessly with CI workflows, offering the earliest opportunity for feedback on potential changes.
Alongside the announcement of Android 17 Beta 1, Google shared its plans to achieve the Platform Stability milestone by next month.
The tech giant also highlighted plans for quarterly Android 17 updates, with the next release scheduled for Q2 2026. This release will introduce significant app-breaking changes, and a minor SDK release is on the horizon for Q4.
If you own a Pixel device already enrolled in the Android beta program, you will receive Android 17 Beta 1 as an OTA update. If you're not enrolled, you can click here to join the beta program and check the list of eligible devices here.
For those without an eligible Pixel device, 64-bit system images are available for the Android Emulator in Android Studio, allowing you to test Android 17 Beta 1.
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