This could be the date when Google launches Android 16 – and here's what's coming

Google Pixel 9
The Pixel 9 will be in line for an Android 16 upgrade (Image credit: Future)

  • An earlier launch for Android 16 was previously confirmed
  • Now we may have an exact date: June 3
  • The OS will be ready in plenty of time for the Pixel 10

We've recently heard rumors that Android 16 is going to be launching earlier in 2025 than we might have expected – and now a new leak goes further, putting an exact date on when Android 16 is going to launch.

This comes from sources speaking to Android Headlines, and the date in question is June 3, 2025 (a Tuesday). That fits in with what was previously rumored about the operating system making its debut in the second quarter of 2025 (April through June).

As you may have noticed, the rollout of Android 15 has been a bit disjointed. After being previewed in May, the core codebase was finalized in September, but it didn't start appearing on Pixel phones until the middle of October.

That meant the Google Pixel 9 series originally launched in August with Android 14 on board. Bringing Android 16 further forward in the year should mean it's fully finished and bug-free – in theory – by the time the Pixel 10 shows up.

What we know so far

Three Samsung Galaxy S24 phones next to each other on a table

The Galaxy S24 series will get Android 16 in the form of One UI 8 from Samsung (Image credit: Samsung)

June is still a good seven months away, but we've already got some idea about what Android 16 is going to bring with it – mostly through snippets of code in development that have been spotted hidden away in Android.

We're expecting to see an upgrade to the Do Not Disturb functionality, giving you additional control over how you can and can't be interrupted. Floating bubbles might also be more widely used for notifications on screen.

Another rumor has pointed to easier access to Android's highest level of security protection, via the Quick Settings panel. There's also been talk that Android 16 could change up the way you access Quick Settings too.

On top of that, we might see Android 16 mimic the iPhone's Dynamic Island for ongoing notifications, at least to some extent. Of course, there's no guarantee that all these developing ideas will make it into Android 16 – we'll have to wait and see.

You might also like

TOPICS
David Nield
Freelance Contributor

Dave is a freelance tech journalist who has been writing about gadgets, apps and the web for more than two decades. Based out of Stockport, England, on TechRadar you'll find him covering news, features and reviews, particularly for phones, tablets and wearables. Working to ensure our breaking news coverage is the best in the business over weekends, David also has bylines at Gizmodo, T3, PopSci and a few other places besides, as well as being many years editing the likes of PC Explorer and The Hardware Handbook.

Read more
Android 16 logo on a phone
The first Android 16 beta could land today – with a big change for your notifications
Android 16 logo on a phone
Android 16 will bring these 5 upgrades to your phone – including one I can’t wait to try out
Android 16 logo on a phone
Here's how Android 16 will upgrade the screen unlocking process on your Pixel
Android 16 logo on a phone
Android 16 Beta 3 has arrived – here are the 4 features I think will be the most useful
Android 16 logo on a phone
The first Android 16 public beta is here – and it borrows a key iOS feature
The Oppo Find N5 open to Google Maps
Android 16 brings a much-needed upgrade to Google Maps that iOS users already have
Latest in Android
The bottom left corner of an Android phone, showing the Phone, Messages, Google icons and Google Search bar
Google Messages remote delete will soon save you from texting embarrassment – and here's how it works
A phone displaying the Google Messages logo
Google Messages could finally be getting this WhatsApp-style group chat feature
Android 16 logo on a phone
Android 16 Beta 3 has arrived – here are the 4 features I think will be the most useful
Google Pixel 9
Android 16 could bring an improved Samsung DeX-style desktop mode to more phones
Android 16 logo on a phone
Android 16 beta users are reporting major battery drain issues – but I’m not too worried about it
The Oppo Find N5 open to Google Maps
Android 16 brings a much-needed upgrade to Google Maps that iOS users already have
Latest in News
Zendesk Relate 2025
Zendesk Relate 2025 - everything you need to know as the event unfolds
Disney Plus logo with popcorn
You can finally tell Disney+ to stop bugging you about that terrible Marvel show you regret starting
Google Gemini AI
Gemini can now see your screen and judge your tabs
Girl wearing Meta Quest 3 headset interacting with a jungle playset
Latest Meta Quest 3 software beta teases a major design overhaul and VR screen sharing – and I need these updates now
Philips Hue
Philips Hue might be working on a video doorbell, and according to a new report, we just got our first look at it
Microsoft
"Another pair of eyes" - Microsoft launches all-new Security Copilot Agents to give security teams the upper hand