Android 16 Archives

AppWizard

July 25, 2025

Android’s new ‘Expanded’ dark mode darkens apps without a dark theme — but there’s a catch

Android is introducing a new feature that allows users to enable a dark theme in applications that do not have native support for it, as part of the second Android Canary build. This update includes two modes under Settings > Display & touch > Dark theme: Standard mode, which applies the dark theme to compatible applications, and Expanded mode, which automatically applies the dark theme to a wider range of apps. The Expanded dark mode functions similarly to the “override force-dark” toggle in Developer Options but is more effective across various applications. Users may experience visual inconsistencies in some apps and can revert to Standard mode if needed. The feature has been anticipated since its initial discovery over a year ago, and while it is live in the Canary build, its rollout to Beta or Stable channels is uncertain, with hopes for its debut in the upcoming second quarterly release of Android 16 in December.

AppWizard

July 25, 2025

You can finally run Doom and other graphical apps in Android’s Linux Terminal

The July 2025 Android Canary build of the Linux Terminal app introduces the ability to run graphical Linux applications, allowing users to interact with a graphical interface via a new “Display” button. By typing ‘weston’, users can access a graphical environment with Weston preinstalled. Users can also enable hardware acceleration by creating an empty file named virglrenderer in the /sdcard/linux directory, which enhances performance for running demanding Linux software. The feature is currently available in the Canary build, with speculation about its rollout to Beta or Stable channels in the second quarterly release of Android 16, expected in December.

AppWizard

July 23, 2025

Samsung plans to make Now Bar more useful by nearly doubling app support

Samsung's Now Bar feature, initially introduced with the Galaxy S25 series, has expanded to the cover screen of the Galaxy Z Flip with the One UI 8 update. As of June 2025, it supports approximately 20 applications, including those from Samsung, Google, and third-party developers, with plans to increase this number to 35 by the end of 2025. The expansion is enabled by a new API in One UI 8 based on Android 16, allowing applications to create “Live Notifications.” Current compatible applications include various Samsung apps (e.g., Media Player, Notes, SmartThings TV Remote), Google apps (e.g., Google Maps), and third-party apps (e.g., Uber, Waymo). Samsung's documentation lists 19 specific applications but suggests a 20th app is forthcoming.

AppWizard

July 18, 2025

Android’s Linux Terminal arrives on the Galaxy Z Flip 7, but Z Fold 7 users are left out

Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 7 is the first non-Pixel smartphone to support Google's Linux Terminal app, which allows users to run Linux programs within a virtual machine. This feature is not available on the Galaxy Z Fold 7. The Terminal app operates on a modified version of Debian within the Android Virtualization Framework (AVF), introduced with Android 13 and categorized as an Android 16 feature for Samsung devices. The app's availability is dependent on specific technical requirements related to the chipset; the Galaxy Z Flip 7 uses the Exynos 2500, which supports the necessary non-protected virtual machine, while the Galaxy S25 and Z Fold 7 use the Snapdragon 8 Elite, which is limited to secure virtual machines. Future updates from Qualcomm may address this limitation. The Terminal app currently does not support graphical applications, but there are indications that such features may be developed in the future.

AppWizard

July 17, 2025

Google Phone app’s simpler layout is now hitting more devices

Google has updated its Phone app, removing the Favorites tab and integrating favorite contacts into a row at the top of the Recents tab. The new version, 182.0.779772896-publicbeta, condenses the layout to display call history and favorites together. The "Frequents" list has also been eliminated, limiting access to frequently called contacts. The interface now features a single, scrollable list, with the user's profile picture, name, and email address visible while scrolling. This redesign is being rolled out on devices like the OnePlus 13, Google Pixel, and Samsung smartphones running Android 16 and 16 QPR1, with Google Play services updated to version 25.25.33.

AppWizard

July 16, 2025

Android’s Desktop Mode Now Features App Pinning to Taskbar

Google is enhancing Android Desktop Mode with a new "pin to taskbar" feature that allows users to pin frequently used applications directly to the desktop taskbar for quick access. This feature can be found in an app's context menu within Desktop Mode, enabling users to easily add or remove app icons from the dock. The enhancement aims to improve app management and user experience, positioning Android as a more competitive desktop platform. The feature is currently available in the latest Android Canary build based on Android 16, but details about its official rollout in the stable version are not yet available.

AppWizard

July 15, 2025

Android’s Desktop Mode gets a handy shortcut to pin your favorite apps to the taskbar

Google is enhancing Android's Desktop Mode by introducing a "pin to taskbar" feature in the latest Android Canary release, allowing users to pin apps for quick access. This feature is available in the desktop mode launcher and enables users to easily add and remove apps from the taskbar. Currently, it is not integrated into the standard launcher. The feature is part of Google's efforts to make Android a competitive desktop platform. Its availability in Beta or Stable channels is uncertain, with potential inclusion in the upcoming Android 16 QPR1 Beta 3 update or the stable QPR1 release anticipated for September.

AppWizard

July 14, 2025

Pixel phones are getting even better parental controls

A new "Parental controls" feature has been identified in the Android Canary build for Pixel devices, aimed at establishing digital ground rules, setting screen time limits, and filtering content for child safety. This feature was discovered on a Pixel 8 Pro and is currently non-functional. It is expected to align with the "Supervision" tools from Android 16 Beta 4. The upcoming Pixel 10 series, launching on August 20, will include the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold, all equipped with stable Android 16.

AppWizard

July 12, 2025

Android’s first Canary release brings a major upgrade to split-screen multitasking

In the latest Android Canary release, users can experience a new 90/10 split-screen ratio, allowing a primary application to occupy 90% of the screen while a secondary app takes up 10%. This feature complements the existing 70/30 split-screen configuration. Users can easily swap the two applications with a tap. The 90:10 split-screen option was officially launched in July's Android Canary release and has been part of Android 16's source code. It is being implemented in various Android 16-based operating systems, including Samsung's One UI 8. The feature was inspired by OPPO’s Boundless View multitasking system, although OPPO did not directly contribute to it.

AppWizard

July 12, 2025

New Android TapTrap attack fools users with invisible UI trick

A new tapjacking technique called TapTrap can exploit user interface animations on Android devices, bypassing the permission system and potentially allowing access to sensitive data or harmful actions. TapTrap operates with zero-permission applications, layering a transparent activity over a malicious one. This vulnerability exists in both Android 15 and 16. Developed by researchers from TU Wien and the University of Bayreuth, TapTrap manipulates activity transitions using custom low-opacity animations, making risky prompts nearly invisible to users. An analysis of nearly 100,000 apps revealed that 76% are vulnerable to TapTrap due to specific conditions related to activity launching and animation handling. The attack has been confirmed on Android 16, including tests on a Google Pixel 8a. GrapheneOS has acknowledged its vulnerability to TapTrap and plans to include a fix in its next release. Google is aware of the issue and intends to address it in a future update.