The 9 biggest new features in Android 17

Would it shock you to know that Android 17 is packed with new AI-powered features, like improved dictation and widgets? Fortunately, that’s not all. The platform is also getting non-AI updates, from an emoji overhaul to a new screen time tool that helps you avoid distracting apps.

Google has just revealed the biggest changes coming in the next update to its operating system as part of its dedicated Android gallery, ahead of next week’s showcase Big I/O Developers Conference. Android software updates came along with excitement Upcoming Googlebook laptops powered by Android and A collection of Android Auto updates. Here are all the important new updates and when you can expect them to arrive on your phone.

Google has overhauled Android’s emoji collection — all 4,000 of them. The new emoji are a little more 3D, lacking the depth and detail of the cartoonish versions they replace.

The new emojis will arrive on Pixel phones first, later this year.

This is Google’s latest attempt to bring a little extra digital luxury to the Android experience. Once you classify certain apps as “distracting,” a pause point will appear any time you try to open an app. This won’t stop you from using the app, but it will make you wait for a 10-second timer, with prompts to try breathing exercises or open a more productive app instead — the idea being that it will give you a moment to realize you’re not really doing that. needs To pass Bluesky now after all.

It also lets you set a timer for how long you want to use the app in each session, and it has enough friction to keep you from swiping the timer too far: it would take a complete phone reboot to turn Pause Point off.

Google wants to make it easier for budding content creators to put together interactive videos that will be displayed on the rest of the internet. With that in mind, it’s rolling out Screen Reactions, which lets you record video from your selfie camera and what’s on your screen at the same time, all in “just a few taps.”

You can record any content on your screen – photos, videos, web pages, and more – and it will appear in front of it as a cut-out piece. Screen Reactions will launch on Pixel phones first, sometime this summer.

After performing Quick Share for Android Interoperable with Apple AirDrop Late last year on some pixels and Galaxy phonesGoogle says that support for this feature will be rolled out more widely this year, including Xiaomi, Honor, and OnePlus phones, in addition to the already announced support from OPPO And Vivo.

For incompatible phones, starting today, Google is adding the ability to use Quick Share to generate a QR code that iPhone users will be able to scan to receive a file directly to their iCloud storage. Later this year, Google says it will add Quick Share and AirDrop support directly to certain apps, including WhatsApp.

Easy to switch from iPhone

Google and Apple have been working together for some time to find easier ways to switch from one platform to another. Apple did its part iOS 26.3adding support for a new wireless method to transfer files, contacts, messages, home screen layouts, and eSIM cards from iPhone to Android device.

However, it still doesn’t actually work, as it requires a compatible device running Android 17 to transfer all of that to. Google says support will finally arrive this year, starting with the Pixel and Galaxy phones.

And now the AI ​​stuff. Rambler is one of a few new Google-branded Android features under the name “Gemini Intelligence,” which will be rolling out to “the latest Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones this summer.”

The Rambler is one of the most interesting things in the collection. It’s a smart, real-time transcription tool that will not only remove filler words like “um” or “ah” from your speech, but it will also make your message more concise and correct any errors.

In a demo during a press conference, Google demonstrated the ability to dictate a shopping list to send in a text message. Not only did Rambler create an accurate list, but when a Google representative asked for bananas and later changed his mind, he knew he would never include them in the final list. It works especially well for the polyglots among us, because it can switch between multiple languages ​​in the same message.

Google must have liked it There are no widgets for basic biometric applicationsbecause it offers its own concept as another feature of Gemini Intelligence.

Creating Widgets allows you to create custom home screen widgets from natural language. Google suggests a meal planner that recommends protein-rich recipes, a weather widget for cyclists that prioritizes displaying wind speed and rain, or a live stream of upcoming shows at a local concert venue.

Like the Rambler, this will be coming to select Galaxy and Pixel phones this summer.

Along with Rambler and Create My Widget, Google is updating Android with a host of other new AI-based automations. Task Automation, already available for food delivery and ride sharing apps on the latest flagship devices from Samsung and Google, is getting expanded support for new apps. Google hasn’t elaborated on this, though it does indicate that Gemini will be able to order groceries from a shopping list in your Notes app or plan a trip itinerary based on a photograph.

Automatic browsing in Chrome It’s also coming to Android in late June alongside some other AI upgrades for the browser, while Gemini will feature autofill to help you complete forms faster.

Check out my colleague Alison Johnson A summary of Google’s new Android AI announcements To learn more about what’s in store.

Android 17 is also packed with a bunch of small security improvements to the platform. Some of these features are aimed at protecting users from fraud, such as a new collaboration with certain banks to block calls spoofing their numbers, even though they require installation of their banking app.

Improved malware detection will scan app behavior for any suspicious activity such as SMS forwarding or running in the background, while Chrome’s safe browsing mode will scan app APK downloads for known malware.

There are also new protections when your phone is stolen: You’ll be able to enable biometric protection remotely when your phone is marked lost. Find the axisGoogle is working to reduce the number of attempts someone can make to guess a PIN or password while increasing the waiting time between failures.