Google releases the first beta of Android 17, adopts a continuous developer release plan

Google has officially rolled out the first Android 17 beta, introducing a range of performance upgrades and new tools to enhance media and camera applications. Alongside these technical improvements, the company is implementing a significant shift in how developers access new APIs and features in the latest Android version.

With this release, Google is moving away from the traditional developer beta system and introducing a continuous Canary channel for developers. This new approach mirrors the development process used for web browsers, including Google’s Chrome, which also uses a Canary channel to deliver early-stage updates.

According to the company, this updated system ensures that features and APIs become available to developers as soon as they pass internal testing and receive approval. The Canary channel also supports over-the-air updates, offering developers a streamlined workflow and improved integration with testing. By enabling more frequent, incremental updates, Google aims to create a smoother development cycle and a faster feedback loop.

Google has set March as its target for platform stability, with the official release of Android 17 planned for the second quarter of 2026. Last year, with the launch of Android 16, the company introduced a two-release structure within a single calendar year. Under this format, a major SDK release arrives in the first half of the year, followed by a smaller SDK update in the second half. The goal of this structure is to give device manufacturers more time to roll out new versions, ultimately reducing fragmentation across the Android ecosystem.

Android 17 will also introduce stricter resizing requirements for applications. Developers will no longer be able to opt out of resizing restrictions, meaning they cannot force specific orientations or limit resizing behaviour on large-screen devices. This move is designed to improve app compatibility across tablets and foldable devices, ensuring applications adapt more effectively to different orientations and window sizes.

On the camera and media front, Android 17 brings expanded capabilities. New APIs are being introduced to allow smoother handling of camera transitions. Support for the VVC (H.266) video codec is also being added, along with improved loudness management across apps to maintain more consistent audio levels. In addition, the platform will implement tighter controls over background audio behaviour.

Performance enhancements are another key focus of this beta. Android 17 reduces missed frames, improves overall responsiveness, and introduces a more efficient garbage collection mechanism for memory cleanup. Google is also enhancing Wi-Fi performance by improving proximity detection and enabling more secure peer discovery features.

With these updates, Android 17 not only delivers technical improvements but also reshapes the developer experience through a continuous release strategy that accelerates innovation while maintaining platform stability.