Android 16 Beta 3 Brings Major Accessibility and Privacy Features for Pixel Devices

Android 16 Beta 3 Rollout for Pixel Devices

Key Features and Changes:

• Platform Stability Milestone: Finalizes app-facing behaviors and internal/external APIs to facilitate developer updates.
• Auracast Broadcast Audio Support: Enables compatible LE Audio hearing aids and earbuds to receive direct audio streams from public venues like airports, concerts, and classrooms.
• Outline Text Replacement: High contrast text is replaced with outline text, which draws a larger contrasting area around text to improve legibility.
• New AccessibilityManager APIs: Allows apps to check or register listeners for the new accessibility mode.
• Local Network Protection (LNP): Provides users more control over which apps can access devices on their local network. Initially requires specific permission beyond the INTERNET permission.

Resolved Issues:

• Fixed various issues causing excessive battery drain.
• Addressed problems leading to unexpected device reboots.
• Resolved an issue with the At a Glance widget displaying outdated information on always-on-display.
• Fixed other stability, performance, and Bluetooth pairing issues.

Feedback Mechanism:

• Users can provide feedback via the Android Beta Feedback app accessible from the drawer or Quick Settings to file bugs in the Google issue tracker.

System Images and Devices Supported:

• The update is available for multiple Pixel devices including Pixel 6, 6 Pro, 6a, 7, 7 Pro, 7a, Tablet, Fold, 8, 8 Pro, 8a, 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, and Pro Fold. March 2025 security patch included.