Gemini & AI Integration
Gemini Nano powers on-device intelligence with AppFunctions letting apps expose capabilities that AI agents can discover, invoke, and chain into workflows — all without leaving the device.
Overview
What is Android 17?
Android 17 is a major platform release that shifts the OS toward AI-driven experiences, enforces adaptive UI for large screens, improves runtime efficiency with generational GC, and introduces new privacy boundaries — all while giving developers the tools to build smarter, more flexible applications.
Adaptive UI
Compose-first development with mandatory adaptive layouts ensures your app looks great on phones, tablets, foldables, and desktop-sized screens.
Performance
Generational garbage collection, lock-free message passing, and stricter app RAM limits deliver smoother animations and better battery life.
Privacy & Security
Temporary permissions, scoped contact access, local network permission, and post-quantum cryptography raise the security floor for every user.
Material You 3
Expressive theming with dynamic color extraction, new M3 components, adaptive layouts, and seamless dark mode transitions across all apps.
Feature showcase
Key Capabilities
Android 17 introduces features that change how users interact with their devices and how developers build for them — from Gemini-powered intelligence to privacy-first controls.
App Bubbles
Any app can become a floating bubble for quick access. On tablets and foldables, the Bubble Bar provides persistent multitasking without interrupting your workflow.
- Floating windows for any app
- Bubble Bar on large screens
- Interactive Picture-in-Picture
- Live Updates for real-time notifications
Screen Reactions
Record your screen and your face simultaneously. Perfect for tutorials, game commentary, and creative content — no third-party app required.
- Screen recording + selfie camera
- Creator-focused workflow
- System-level integration
Gaming Mode & Foldable Gaming
Dedicated Gaming Mode optimizes performance and blocks distractions, while the 50/50 foldable layout splits the screen between gameplay and controls. Virtual controller remapping gives console-style precision.
- Gaming Mode with performance tuning
- 50/50 foldable gaming layout
- Virtual controller remapping
- Do Not Disturb while gaming
AppFunctions & Gemini
Applications declare semantic functions that Gemini Nano and other on-device AI agents discover and execute. This enables cross-app automation while keeping data private and on-device.
- Gemini Nano powered intelligence
- Apps expose functions to AI agents
- On-device AI workflows
- Privacy-preserving automation
User
Gemini Nano
AppFunctions
Apps
Adaptive UI
One Codebase, Every Screen
Android 17 makes adaptive layouts mandatory for apps targeting API 37. Jetpack Compose is the recommended path, with tools to handle phones, tablets, foldables, and desktop modes from a single codebase.
Compact (Phone)
Single-pane layouts with bottom navigation and responsive content.
Medium (Foldable)
Two-pane layouts that adapt to folded and unfolded postures.
Expanded (Tablet)
Multi-pane layouts with navigation rail and side panels.
Desktop Mode
Freeform windowing, external display support, and keyboard/mouse input for a PC-like experience on large screens.
Performance
Runtime & Memory Optimizations
Android 17 delivers measurable improvements to garbage collection, memory management, and inter-process communication — making apps more responsive and battery-efficient.
Generational GC
Separates young and old object heaps to reduce pause times by up to 60% and improve battery efficiency during background work.
0%
reduced pause time
Memory Limits
Stricter per-app RAM limits prevent runaway processes from degrading system performance, with clear signals for developers to optimize.
0%
less background churn
Lock-Free Messaging
Faster binder and handler message passing reduces latency in UI thread communication and background task dispatch.
2.5x
faster IPC dispatch
Privacy & Security
Protecting Users at the Platform Level
Every Android release raises the bar for user privacy. Android 17 introduces a centralized Privacy Dashboard, Security Center, temporary permissions, scoped data access, and cryptographic upgrades that protect against emerging threats.
Temporary Permissions
Grant location, camera, or microphone access for a single session. The permission auto-revokes when the app goes to background.
Scoped Contacts
Apps can request access to specific contacts rather than the entire address book, giving users granular control over their data.
Local Network Permission
A new runtime permission for discovering and connecting to devices on the local network, preventing unauthorized scanning.
Post-Quantum Cryptography
Android 17 includes NIST-standardized post-quantum cryptographic algorithms to future-proof communications against quantum attacks.
Safer Dynamic Code Loading
Stricter constraints on dynamic code loading reduce the attack surface for malicious injections and unauthorized modifications.
Privacy Dashboard
A centralized view showing how often apps access camera, microphone, and location over the past 24 hours, with easy permission revocation.
Security Center
Unified security hub with real-time threat detection, Google Play Protect enhancements, and actionable recommendations for keeping devices safe.
Camera & Media
Professional-Grade Capture & Playback
Android 17 introduces new imaging and audio capabilities that rival dedicated hardware, giving users and creators more control over their media.
RAW14 Photography
Capture 14-bit RAW images with greater dynamic range and color depth, giving photography apps access to near-DSLR quality data.
Eclipsa HDR
Google's next-generation HDR format combines SDR and HDR layers for backward-compatible, stunning high-dynamic-range imagery.
VVC / H.266
Versatile Video Coding support enables 4K and 8K streaming at significantly lower bitrates, saving bandwidth and storage.
Extended HE-AAC
Enhanced audio codec support delivers higher fidelity at lower bitrates for streaming and podcast applications.
Developer Guide
Migration Roadmap
A practical five-step path to ensure your app targets API 37 smoothly, takes advantage of new capabilities, and avoids common migration pitfalls.
01
Target SDK 37
Update your compileSdk and targetSdk to 37. Review behavior changes and test against the new runtime policies.
02
Update Compose & Jetpack
Upgrade to the latest Jetpack Compose, CameraX, Media3, and other Jetpack libraries to leverage new APIs and adaptive layout tools.
03
Fix Adaptive Layouts
Ensure your UI responds correctly to all window size classes. Use WindowSizeClass API and test on tablets and foldables.
04
Optimize Memory
Profile your app against the new RAM limits. Reduce background allocations, audit your object lifecycle, and test with generational GC.
05
Integrate AppFunctions & Gemini
Identify key user flows that can be exposed as AppFunctions. Define semantic actions for Gemini Nano and other AI agents to discover and invoke securely.
Comparison
Android 17 vs Android 16
A side-by-side look at what changed between Android 16 (API 36) and Android 17 (API 37) across the most important platform dimensions.
| Category | Android 16 | Android 17 |
|---|---|---|
| AI | Basic on-device ML with TensorFlow Lite and ML Kit | Gemini Nano on-device; AppFunctions framework for AI-agent interoperability |
| UI | Adaptive layout recommendations | Mandatory adaptive layouts for API 37; Compose-first tooling; WindowSizeClass enforcement |
| Multitasking | Split-screen and improved large-screen foundations | App Bubbles, Bubble Bar, Desktop Mode, interactive PiP, Gaming Mode, 50/50 foldable layout |
| Performance | ART runtime improvements and background limits | Generational GC, lock-free message handling, per-app RAM caps |
| Security | Scoped media and photo picker changes | Privacy Dashboard, Security Center, temporary permissions, scoped contacts, local network permission, PQC, safer DCL |
| Media | Ultra HDR and AV1 support | RAW14, Eclipsa HDR, VVC/H.266, extended HE-AAC |
Get Started
Get Android 17
Four ways to run Android 17 right now — from over-the-air updates to the official emulator.
Pixel Device
If you own a supported Pixel (6–10 series, Tablet), check Settings → System → System update for the Android 17 OTA.
OTA
Partner Devices
Android 17 Beta is available on Honor, iQOO, Lenovo, OnePlus, OPPO, realme, Sharp, vivo, and Xiaomi devices.
Beta
Emulator
Use Android Studio Meerkat | 2024.3.1+. Create a virtual device and select the Baklava system image (API 37).
Studio
GSI
Flash a generic system image on compatible unlocked devices. Check the Android 17 downloads page for factory images and GSIs.
Manual
Video
Android on YouTube
Stay up to date with the latest Android platform announcements, developer guides, and Google I/O keynotes from the official Android Developers channel.
Android Developers
The official YouTube channel for Android developers. Find the latest videos on platform features, API changes, design best practices, and Google I/O sessions.
Visit channel