Android 17 (Cinnamon Bun)

Icon Android 17 Cinnamon Bun

Review of the mobile operating system Android 17.
Codename: Cinnamon Bun.
Release: June 2026.
API level/NDK release: 37.

Games for Android 17 Apps for Android 17

Status (as of April 18, 2026):
Android 17 (codename Cinnamon Bun) has reached Beta 4 – the final beta of the release cycle. Platform stability was achieved in Beta 3, and the SDK is now locked for developers. Stable release is expected in June 2026, starting with Pixel devices.

Core Focus
Google continues its “adaptive” roadmap with emphasis on:

  • Large screens, foldables, and desktop-like experiences
  • Performance & system stability
  • Privacy and security enhancements
  • Better media/camera capabilities and cross-device continuity

Key New Features for Developers

Performance & Stability

  • New ProfilingManager triggers (cold start, OOM, high CPU, binder/memory anomalies)
  • App memory limits (introduced in Beta 4) for better system stability
  • Improved ART runtime and lock-free MessageQueue

Privacy

  • Full platform support for Encrypted Client Hello (ECH)
  • New system Contacts Picker (no need for full READ_CONTACTS permission)

Security

  • Android Advanced Protection Mode (AAPM)
  • Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) support for APK signing (hybrid classical + ML-DSA)

Media & Camera

  • RAW14 support
  • Vendor-defined camera extensions (OEMs can add custom modes like Super Resolution)
  • Customizable Photo Picker grid aspect ratio

Connectivity & UX

  • Handoff API for seamless activity continuation across devices
  • Improved UWB (Downlink-TDoA) for indoor positioning
  • New semantic colors and separate Assistant audio stream

Important Behavior Changes (Target API 37)

  • Apps on large screens (≥600dp) can no longer opt out of resizing or orientation changes.
  • Stricter background audio restrictions.
  • Local network access blocked by default → new ACCESS_LOCAL_NETWORK permission required.
  • android:usesCleartextTraffic is now deprecated.

MINIMUM_INSTALLABLE_TARGET_SDK remains at 24 (Android 7.0) for now.

Official Links

  • Features & APIs: developer.android.com/about/versions/17/features
  • Release Notes: developer.android.com/about/versions/17/release-notes
  • Beta 4 Blog: android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/04/the-fourth-beta-of-android-17.html

Ready for final compatibility testing! Let me know if you want a deeper dive into any specific area.

Reviewer:
0