• 13 February 2026 Posted by Matthew McCullough, VP of Product Management, Android Developer Today we’re releasing the first beta of Android 17, continuing our work to build a platform that prioritizes privacy, security, and refined performance. • This build continues our work for more adaptable Android apps, introduces significant enhancements to camera and media capabilities, new tools for optimizing connectivity, and expanded profiles for companion devices. • This release also highlights a fundamental shift in the way we’re bringing new releases to the developer community, from the traditional Developer Preview model to the Android Canary program Android has replaced the traditional “Developer Preview” with a continuous Canary channel. • This new “always-on” model offers three main benefits: The Android 17 schedule With the release of the Android 17 Beta, we’re moving to the next phase of our adaptive roadmap: Android 17 (API level 37) removes the developer opt-out for orientation and resizability restrictions on large screen devices (sw > 600 dp). • When your app targets SDK 37, it must be ready to adapt. • Users expect their apps to work everywhere-whether multitasking on a tablet, unfolding a device, or using a desktop windowing environment-and they expect the UI to fill the space and respect their device posture.

Article Summaries:

  • Android has released the first beta of Android 17 (API level 37), marking a shift from the traditional Developer Preview to a continuous “Android Canary” channel. The beta introduces major camera and media enhancements, new connectivity tools, and expanded companion‑device profiles. Key platform changes include mandatory support for large‑screen adaptability-orientation and resizability restrictions are now enforced for apps targeting SDK 37, except games. Performance upgrades feature a lock‑free MessageQueue, generational garbage collection, and stricter static‑final field handling. The update also tightens notification view size limits to curb memory‑heavy custom views.

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