What Is the Latest Android Version and What New Features Does It Bring
The latest Android version is Android 17. Google began releasing it to Pixel phones on June 16, 2026, and other brands are rolling it out to their recent models. It brings floating app bubbles, stronger location privacy, a tougher lock screen, and smarter memory management. Here is what is new, which phones can get it, and how to install it.
What is the latest Android version called and when was it released?
The current version is simply called Android 17. Google stopped using public dessert names after Android 9 Pie and has used plain numbers since Android 10. Android 17 arrived in June 2026, a year after Android 16, following the newer schedule of a major release in the second quarter and a smaller feature update later in the year.
What are the main new features in Android 17?
App Bubbles lets you long-press an app icon and open the app in a floating window over whatever you are doing, and large screens get a bubble bar in the taskbar. Screen Reactions records your screen together with a floating selfie video of you, with the background removed.
Privacy and security see the biggest changes. Apps can request precise location for a single session, a persistent indicator appears when a non-system app uses your location, and a Contacts Picker lets you share only selected contacts. The lock screen allows fewer PIN guesses with longer waits between attempts, and Find Hub Mark as Lost can be unlocked with biometrics. Android 17 also sets per-app memory limits based on device RAM to reduce stutters and battery drain, lets you exclude apps from forced dark theme, and adds native controller button remapping.
Which devices can run Android 17?
On Pixel, Android 17 supports the Pixel 6 and newer. Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi, and other brands decide their own device lists and timing, usually starting with recent flagships. Older or budget phones may not get it if their update support has ended. You will also need a few gigabytes of free storage to install it.
How is Android 17 different from Android 16?
Android 16 introduced Live Updates for tracking deliveries and rides, Advanced Protection mode, automatic notification grouping, and later the Material 3 Expressive design. Android 17 builds on that with multitasking through App Bubbles, finer location controls, lock screen hardening, and memory limits, rather than another big visual redesign.
How and when can I get Android 17 on my device?
Android 17 arrives as an over-the-air update. To check manually:
- Open Settings.
- Tap System, then Software updates, then System update (on Samsung, tap Software update, then Download and install).
- If Android 17 is offered, download and install it.
Before updating, back up your data, connect to Wi-Fi, and charge your phone above 50%. If the update has not appeared, your manufacturer may still be testing it, or your phone may not be eligible.
Conclusion
Android 17 is the newest Android version, with practical improvements to multitasking, privacy, and security. If your phone supports it, updating is worth it for the new features and the latest protections. If not, watch your manufacturer’s announcements or consider whether your phone is near the end of its support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Android 17 work on my older smartphone?
Pixel 6 and newer are supported. For other brands, check the manufacturer’s update list. Many phones from the last few years are eligible, while older models often are not.
Does Android 17 improve battery life?
It can. Per-app memory limits and fewer background wake-ups for messaging apps aim to reduce battery drain, though results depend on your phone and usage.
Can I install Android 17 manually if my phone has not received it?
Pixel owners can install official images with the Android Flash Tool or by sideloading an OTA file, but this is meant for advanced users. For other phones, waiting for the official update is safest.
Are there privacy improvements in Android 17?
Yes. One-time precise location, a location access indicator, and the Contacts Picker all give you more control over what apps can see.