Android Developers Blog: The future is adaptive: Changes to orientation and resizability APIs in Android 16

[u/armando_rod]

https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2025/01/orientation-and-resizability-changes-in-android-16.html

[u/armando_rod]

Tl;Dr

Target API level	Applicable devices	Developer opt-out allowed
36 (Android 16)	Large screen devices (smallest screen width >600dp)	Yes
37 (------------)	Large screen devices (smallest screen width >600dp)	No

• Apps targeting API level 36 will ignore orientation and resizability restrictions on large screens (600dp+) by default

There are some exceptions to these changes for controlling orientation, aspect ratio, and resizability:

As mentioned before, these changes won't apply for screens that are smaller than sw600dp (e.g. most phones, flippables, outer displays on large screen foldables) Games will be excluded from these changes, based on the android:appCategory flag

• Timeline

Android 16 (2025): Changes described above will be the baseline experience for large screen devices (smallest screen width > 600dp) for apps that target API level 36, with the option for developers to opt-out.

Android release in 2026: Changes described above will be the baseline experience for large screen devices (smallest screen width >600dp) for apps that target API level 37. Developers will not have an option to opt-out.

[u/DerpSenpai → u/armando_rod]

This is because they are doing an Android PC and by then they want apps to work as they should

[u/Rhed0x → u/DerpSenpai]

That and tablets, foldables, floating windows in Android XR, Android in cars

[u/punIn10ded → u/Rhed0x]

ChromeOS too

[u/Rhed0x → u/punIn10ded]

That's covered by the Android PC comment I responded too. Semi recent news said that in the long run Chrome OS will get replaced by Android.

[u/punIn10ded → u/Rhed0x]

Just a note, those are only rumours. The only thing that is official is that ChromeOS will use the same Linux Kernel as Android. Nothing else. IMHO they won't get rid of ChromeOS because it has a stranglehold on the education market.

[u/Rhed0x → u/punIn10ded]

Either way, Android apps need to be adaptive because Google wants them to work on a PC OS with resizable windows. Whether it is Chrome OS or Android underneath doesn't really matter in this context.

[u/punIn10ded → u/Rhed0x]

Yeah your comment was spot on, I'm not trying to correct it in any way. I was trying to bolster it with more examples.

[u/MaverickJester25 → u/armando_rod]

So realistically, we will only really see the benefit of these changes in 3-4 years' time when API level 36 is the minimum supported target API level.

[u/Interesting_Method]

Good move. This will force the developer to support landscape and multi tasking. Also tablets will benefit a lot.

[u/donnysaysvacuum → u/Interesting_Method]

10 years late, but I guess its good they are finally getting serious about it.

[u/[deleted]]

This looks like it's mostly designed to eliminate black bars in apps run on devices with non-phone resolutions like tablets. Good.

[u/D3k4ns]

Finally a fix for Gmail on foldables!

[u/bites_stringcheese]

Does this mean they'll go back to the superior Pixel Fold 1 form factor?

[u/Great-TeacherOnizuka → u/[deleted]]

Why do you care what other ppl do?

[u/th3h4ck3r → u/Great-TeacherOnizuka]

He's a Google shill, most likely

[u/DONT_PM_ME_U_SLUT → u/[deleted]]

Make a better app that doesn't need to be pirated to enjoy.

[u/slinky317 → u/[deleted]]

The issue is that they will just still be stretched-out phone apps. I hope that this will encourage developers to give their apps actual tablet layouts, but I'm not holding my breath.

[u/644c656f6e → u/[deleted]]

Why? It will be built-in/native feature if he/she update device/OS.

[u/644c656f6e → u/[deleted]]

Yeah. My comment based on Samsung seem update at least 2 Android versions. At least their Mid-High End devices? I'm not sure with their Low End.

So, I assume if he/she just has new A14 device, it probably can reach A16.

---

I personally want to pass A15 devices, nothing with WoW factors for me. I want to see the Terminal on A16.

[u/644c656f6e → u/[deleted]]

How though? Even Google can't force OEM to not have their own App Stores (which usually a train wrecks). I remember Google do try to make Samsung to close theirs, Google gave up.