Posted by Matthew McCullough – VP of Product Administration, Android Developer
Right this moment we’re bringing you Beta 4, the final scheduled replace in our Android 15 beta program, so be sure that your apps are prepared and you’ve got given us any crucial suggestions earlier than non-beta customers begin getting Android 15.
That is our second Platform Stability launch; the developer APIs and all app-facing behaviors are last so that you can assessment and combine into your apps, and apps concentrating on Android 15 may be made out there in Google Play. Beta 4 contains our newest fixes and optimizations, providing you with all the pieces it is advisable full your testing. Head over to our Android 15 abstract web page for a listing of the options and conduct modifications we have been overlaying on this sequence of weblog posts, or learn on for a number of the high modifications to pay attention to.
Eliminated PNG-based emoji font
Android 15 removes the legacy PNG-based emoji font file (NotoColorEmojiLegacy.ttf) that means that some Android 15 gadgets akin to Pixel will solely have the vector-based file. Starting with Android 13, the emoji font file utilized by the system emoji renderer modified from a PNG-based file to a vector based mostly file. We saved the previous font file round in Android 13 and 14 for compatibility causes, in order that functions with their very own font renderers might proceed to make use of the previous font till they had been in a position to improve.
You may select to adapt your app in numerous methods:
- Use platform textual content rendering. You may render textual content to a bitmap-backed Canvas and use that to get a uncooked picture if needed.
Get your apps, libraries, instruments, and recreation engines prepared!
In case you develop an SDK, library, device, or recreation engine, it is essential to organize any needed updates now to forestall your downstream app and recreation builders from being blocked by compatibility points and permit them to focus on the newest SDK options. Please let your builders know if updates are wanted to totally assist Android 15.
Testing your app includes putting in your manufacturing app utilizing Google Play or different means onto a tool or emulator operating Android 15 Beta 4. Work by means of all of your app’s flows and search for useful or UI points. Overview the conduct modifications to focus your testing. Every launch of Android accommodates platform modifications that enhance privateness, safety, and total consumer expertise, and these modifications can have an effect on your apps. Listed here are a number of modifications to give attention to that apply even in the event you do not but goal Android 15:
- Help for 16KB web page sizes – Starting with Android 15, Android helps gadgets which might be configured to make use of a web page dimension of 16 KB. In case your app or library makes use of the NDK, both instantly or not directly by means of an SDK, then you’ll seemingly have to rebuild your app for it to work on these gadgets.
- Personal house assist – Personal house is a brand new characteristic in Android 15 that lets customers create a separate house on their machine the place they’ll hold delicate apps away from prying eyes, below a further layer of authentication.
Keep in mind to completely train libraries and SDKs that your app is utilizing throughout your compatibility testing. You could have to replace to present SDK variations or attain out to the developer for assist in the event you encounter any points.
When you’ve revealed the Android 15-compatible model of your app, you can begin the course of to replace your app’s targetSdkVersion. Overview the conduct modifications that apply when your app targets Android 15 and use the compatibility framework to assist rapidly detect points.
Make the most of new platform options!
Transcend getting your app prepared and make the most of new options that may make your app stand out on Android 15 gadgets:
- The font file for Chinese language, Japanese, and Korean (CJK) languages, NotoSansCJK, is now a variable font opening up new potentialities for inventive typography.
- The ApplicationStartInfo API helps present perception into app startup together with startup state, time spent in launch phases, how your app was began when your Software class was instantiated, and extra.
- With partial display sharing customers can share or document simply an app window reasonably than the complete machine display.
- Generated previews permit your app widget suppliers to generate RemoteViews which comprise live-content and correct machine theming to make use of because the picker preview, as a substitute of a generic static useful resource.
Right this moment’s beta launch has all the pieces it is advisable check out Android 15 options, check your apps, and provides us suggestions. Now that we’re within the beta part, you may examine right here to get details about enrolling your machine; Enrolling supported Pixel gadgets will ship this and future Android Beta updates over-the-air. These OTAs will start this night PDT. In case you don’t have a supported machine, you may use the 64-bit system pictures with the Android Emulator in Android Studio. In case you’re already within the Android 14 QPR beta program on a supported machine, you will robotically get up to date to Android 15 Beta 4.
For the most effective growth expertise with Android 15, we suggest that you simply use the newest model of Android Studio Koala. When you’re arrange, listed here are a number of the issues it’s best to do:
- Attempt the brand new options and APIs – your suggestions is crucial through the early a part of the developer preview and beta program. Report points in our tracker on the suggestions web page.
- Check your present app for compatibility – be taught whether or not your app is affected by modifications in Android 15; set up your app onto a tool or emulator operating Android 15 and extensively check it.
- Replace your app with the Android SDK Improve Assistant – The newest Android Studio Koala Function Drop launch now covers android 15 API modifications and walks you thru the steps to improve your targetSdkVersion with the Android SDK Improve Assistant.
We’ll replace the beta system pictures and SDK commonly all through the rest of the Android 15 launch cycle. Learn extra right here.
For full info, go to the Android 15 developer website.
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