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Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -08001page.title=Program Overview
Dirk Doughertya6495a922016-03-04 15:21:59 -08002page.metaDescription=Get your apps ready for the next version of Android.
Dirk Dougherty43eb9512016-03-03 14:53:16 -08003page.image=images/cards/card-n-overview_2x.png
4meta.tags="preview", "developer", "android"
Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -08005page.tags="preview", "developer", "android"
6
7@jd:body
Dirk Doughertya6495a922016-03-04 15:21:59 -08008<!--
9<div class="cols" style=
10"background-color:#f2daf5; padding: 5px 0;margin-bottom:1em; text-align:center;">
11<h3>
12 Developer Preview 3 is now available
13 </h3>
14 <p>Includes final SDK and near-final system images</p>
15 <div style="margin:auto 1em">
16 <ul class="dac-section-links">
17 <li class="dac-section-link">
18 <a href="{@docRoot}preview/support.html#preview3-notes">
19 <span class="dac-sprite dac-auto-chevron"></span>
20 Read the Notes</a>
21 </li>
22
23 <li class="dac-section-link">
24 <a href="{@docRoot}preview/support.html#preview3-get">
25 <span class="dac-sprite dac-auto-chevron"></span>
26 Get the Update</a>
27 </li>
28
29 <li class="dac-section-link">
30 <a href="https://code.google.com/p/android-developer-preview/">
31 <span class="dac-sprite dac-auto-chevron"></span>
32 Report Issues</a>
33 </li>
34 </ul>
35 </div>
36</div>
37-->
Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -080038
Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -080039<p>
Dirk Doughertya6495a922016-03-04 15:21:59 -080040 Welcome to the <strong>Android N Developer Preview</strong>, a program that
41 gives you everything you need to test and optimize your apps for the next
42 version of Android. It's free, and you can get started right away just by
43 downloading the N Developer Preview tools.
Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -080044</p>
45
Dirk Doughertya6495a922016-03-04 15:21:59 -080046
47
48
49
50
51
Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -080052<div style="background-color:#eceff1;padding:1em;">
53<div class="wrap">
54 <div class="cols">
55 <div class="col-4of12">
56 <h5>
Dirk Doughertya6495a922016-03-04 15:21:59 -080057 Hardware and emulator images
Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -080058 </h5>
59
60 <p>
Dirk Doughertya6495a922016-03-04 15:21:59 -080061 Run and test your apps on Nexus 5X, 6, 6P, 9,
62 Pixel C, and Player, as well as other hardware
63 devices and emulator.
64
Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -080065 </p>
66 </div>
67
68 <div class="col-4of12">
69 <h5>
70 Latest platform code
71 </h5>
72
73 <p>
Dirk Doughertya6495a922016-03-04 15:21:59 -080074 We’ll provide monthly updates during the Preview, so you’ll be testing against the latest platform changes.
Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -080075 </p>
76 </div>
77
78 <div class="col-4of12">
79 <h5>
Dirk Doughertya6495a922016-03-04 15:21:59 -080080 Priority for developer issues
Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -080081 </h5>
82
83 <p>
Dirk Doughertya6495a922016-03-04 15:21:59 -080084 During the first several weeks we’ll give priority to developer-reported
85 issues, so test and give feedback as soon as possible.
Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -080086 </p>
87 </div>
Dirk Doughertya6495a922016-03-04 15:21:59 -080088
Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -080089 </div>
90
91 <div class="cols">
92
93
94 <div class="col-4of12">
95 <h5>
96 New behaviors and capabilities
97 </h5>
98
99 <p>
Dirk Doughertya6495a922016-03-04 15:21:59 -0800100 Start work early to support new platform behaviors and develop with new features.
Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -0800101 </p>
102 </div>
103
104 <div class="col-4of12">
Dirk Doughertya6495a922016-03-04 15:21:59 -0800105 <h5>
106 Updates delivered by OTA
Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -0800107 </h5>
108
109 <p>
Dirk Doughertya6495a922016-03-04 15:21:59 -0800110 Seamless over-the-air updates for any supported device through the Android Beta Program. No flashing is needed.
Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -0800111 </p>
112 </div>
113
114 <div class="col-4of12">
115 <h5>
116 Feedback and support
117 </h5>
118
119 <p>
Dirk Doughertya6495a922016-03-04 15:21:59 -0800120 Report issues and give us feedback using our <a href="https://code.google.com/p/android-developer-preview/">issue tracker</a>.
121 Connect with other developers in the <a href="http://developer.android.com/preview/dev-community">N&nbsp;Developer Community</a>.
Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -0800122 </p>
123 </div>
124 </div>
125</div>
126</div>
127
128<!--
Dirk Doughertya6495a922016-03-04 15:21:59 -0800129<p>New in the Android N Developer Preview: </p>
130
131<ul>
132 <li> Accompanying Android Beta Program for consumers, starting later in the preview</li>
133 <li> More supported devices, including devices from OEM partners</li>
134 <li> Seamless OTAs for your devices, from initial release to final N release without flashing</li>
135</ul>
136-->
137
138<h2 id="timeline">Timeline and updates</h2>
139<img src="{@docRoot}images/n-preview-updates_2x.png">
140
Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -0800141<p>
Dirk Doughertya6495a922016-03-04 15:21:59 -0800142 The N Developer Preview runs from 9 March 2016 until the final Android N
143 public release to AOSP and OEMs, planned for Q3 2016.
Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -0800144</p>
David Friedmana18c41a2016-03-03 18:26:29 -0800145
Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -0800146<p>
Dirk Doughertya6495a922016-03-04 15:21:59 -0800147 At key development milestones, we’ll deliver updates for your development and
148 testing environment. In general you can expect an update each month (4 to 6
149 week interval). The milestones are listed below.
150</p>
Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -0800151
Dirk Doughertya6495a922016-03-04 15:21:59 -0800152<ul>
153 <li><strong><a href="{@docRoot}preview/support.html">Preview 1</a></strong> (initial release, alpha)</li>
154 <li><strong>Preview 2</strong> (incremental update, beta)</li>
155 <li><strong>Preview 3</strong> (incremental update, beta)</li>
156 <li><strong>Preview 4</strong> (final APIs and official SDK, Play publishing)</li>
157 <li><strong>Preview 5</strong> (near-final system images for final testing)</li>
158 <li><strong>Final release</strong> to AOSP and ecosystem</li>
159</ul>
Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -0800160
Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -0800161<p>
Dirk Doughertya6495a922016-03-04 15:21:59 -0800162 Each update includes SDK tools, preview system images, emulators, reference
163 documentation, and API diffs.
164</p>
165
166<p>
167 The <strong>first three preview milestones</strong> provide an <strong>early
168 test and development environment</strong> that help you identify
169 compatibility issues in your current apps and plan migration or feature work
170 needed to target the new platform. This is the priority period in which to
171 give us your feedback on features and APIs and file compatibility issues
172 &mdash; for all of these, please use the issue tracker [link]. You can expect
173 some API changes across these updates.
174</p>
175
176<p>
177 At <strong>previews 4 and 5</strong> you’ll have access to the <strong>final
178 N APIs and SDK</strong> to develop with, as well as near-final system images
179 to test system behaviors and features. Android N will provide a standard API
180 level at this time. You can begin final compatibility testing of your legacy
181 apps and refine any new code that is using the N APIs or features.
182</p>
183
184<p>
185 Also starting in preview 4, you’ll be able to <strong>publish apps to
186 devices</strong> running Android N at the official API level, such as
187 consumer devices that have opted into the Android Beta program. You can
188 publish into the Google Play alpha and beta channels first, so you can test
189 your apps with Android Beta consumers before distributing broadly on the
190 store.
Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -0800191</p>
192
193<p>
David Friedmana18c41a2016-03-03 18:26:29 -0800194 As you test and develop on Android N, we strongly recommend <strong>keeping
Dirk Doughertya6495a922016-03-04 15:21:59 -0800195 your development environment up-to-date</strong> as preview updates are
196 released. To make the process easier, you can enroll your test devices in the
197 Android Beta program and get <strong>updates over-the-air (OTA)</strong> at
198 each milestone. Alternatively, updated preview images are available that you
199 download and flash manually.
Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -0800200</p>
Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -0800201
202<p>
Dirk Doughertya6495a922016-03-04 15:21:59 -0800203 We’ll notify you when preview updates are available via the <a href=
Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -0800204 "http://android-developers.blogspot.com/">Android Developers Blog</a>, as
Dirk Doughertya6495a922016-03-04 15:21:59 -0800205 well as this site and the <a href="https://developer.android.com/preview/dev-community">Android
206 N Developer Community</a>.
Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -0800207</p>
208
Dirk Doughertya6495a922016-03-04 15:21:59 -0800209
210<h2 id="preview_tools">What's in the N Developer Preview?</h2>
Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -0800211
212<p>
Dirk Doughertya6495a922016-03-04 15:21:59 -0800213 The N Developer Preview includes everything you need to test your existing
Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -0800214 apps on a variety of screen sizes, network technologies, CPU/GPU chipsets,
215 and hardware architectures.
216</p>
217
Dirk Doughertya6495a922016-03-04 15:21:59 -0800218<h3 id="sdk_tools">SDK tools</h3>
219
220<p>You can download these components through the SDK Manager in <a href="{@docRoot}sdk/installing/adding-packages.html">Android Studio</a>:</p>
221
222<ul>
223 <li> N Developer Preview <strong>SDK and tools</strong>
224 <li> N Developer Preview <strong>emulator system image</strong> (32-bit & 64-bit)
225 <li> N Developer Preview <strong>emulator system Image for Android TV</strong> (32-bit)
226 <li> N Developer Preview support libraries (for new app templates)
227</ul>
Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -0800228
229<p>
Dirk Doughertya6495a922016-03-04 15:21:59 -0800230 We’ll provide updates to these development tools at each milestone as needed.
231</p>
232
233<h3 id="hardware_system_images">Hardware system images</h3>
234
235<p>
236 The N Developer Preview includes hardware system images that you can use when
237 testing and developing on physical devices.
238</p>
239
240<p>
241 You can download these Nexus hardware system images from the <a href=
242 "{@docRoot}preview/download.html">Downloads page</a>:
Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -0800243</p>
244
245<ul>
Dirk Doughertya6495a922016-03-04 15:21:59 -0800246 <li> <strong>Nexus 5X</strong> (GSM/LTE) "bullhead" device system image</li>
247 <li> <strong>Nexus 6 (GSM/LTE)</strong> "shamu" device system image</li>
248 <li> <strong>Nexus 6P (GSM/LTE)</strong> "angler" device system image</li>
249 <li> <strong>Nexus 9</strong> (Wi-Fi) "volantis" device system image</li>
250 <li> <strong>Nexus Player</strong> (Android TV) "fugu" device system image</li>
251 <li> <strong>Pixel C</strong> "ryu" device system image</li>
Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -0800252</ul>
253
Dirk Doughertya6495a922016-03-04 15:21:59 -0800254<p>In addition, you can download these hardware system images from our Developer
255Preview partners:</p>
Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -0800256
257<ul>
Dirk Doughertya6495a922016-03-04 15:21:59 -0800258 <li><strong>General Mobile 4G Dual (Android One)</strong> "seed" device system image</li>
Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -0800259</ul>
260
Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -0800261<p>
Dirk Doughertya6495a922016-03-04 15:21:59 -0800262 We’ll deliver updated system images for these devices at each milestone. You
263 can download and flash the updated system images to your test devices
264 manually, as frequently as you need. This is especially useful for automated
265 testing environments where you might need to reflash your device multiple
266 times.
Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -0800267</p>
268
Dirk Doughertya6495a922016-03-04 15:21:59 -0800269<p class="note"><strong>Note</strong>:
270 <strong>Devices flashed manually will not get OTA updates</strong> like in
271 last year’s preview. This year, you can get OTAs by enrolling devices in the
272 Android Beta Program &mdash; see details in the next section.
Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -0800273</p>
274
Dirk Doughertya6495a922016-03-04 15:21:59 -0800275<h3 id="android_beta">OTA Updates through Android Beta Program</h3>
Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -0800276
277<p>
Dirk Doughertya6495a922016-03-04 15:21:59 -0800278 New for Android N is an Over-the-Air (OTA) update program that automatically
279 delivers the latest preview updates of Android N directly to devices enrolled
280 in the program. The program is free, and it’s open to anyone who has a
281 supported device that’s registered to their Google account.
282</p>
283
284<p>
285 To enroll in the program visit the Android Beta Program site [LINK]. You’ll
286 see all of the devices registered to your account that are eligible to enroll
287 in Android Beta.
Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -0800288</p>
289
290<ol>
Dirk Doughertya6495a922016-03-04 15:21:59 -0800291 <li> Choose the devices you want to receive the Android N updates
292 <li> Click Enroll, read and agree to the terms of service, and then click OK
293</ol>
Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -0800294
Dirk Doughertya6495a922016-03-04 15:21:59 -0800295<p>
296 Once you’ve enrolled, your device will soon receive an update. In most cases,
297 you will not need to do a full reset of your data to move to Android N, but
298 it’s recommended that you back up any data you don’t want to lose before
299 enrolling the device.
300</p>
Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -0800301
Dirk Doughertya6495a922016-03-04 15:21:59 -0800302<p>
303 As updates are delivered to your device, we recommend downloading and
304 installing them as soon as possible. You’ll want to stay current with the
305 latest changes in system UI, behavior, APIs, and features.
306</p>
Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -0800307
Dirk Doughertya6495a922016-03-04 15:21:59 -0800308<p>
309 At the conclusion of the Developer Preview, your enrolled devices will
310 receive an update to the official Android N release.
311</p>
Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -0800312
Dirk Doughertya6495a922016-03-04 15:21:59 -0800313<p>
314 You can un-enroll your devices from the Android Beta program at any time from
315 the Android Beta site. Before un-enrolling, make sure to back-up your data on
316 the device.
317</p>
318
319 <p class="note"><strong>Note</strong>:
320 When you un-enroll, <strong>your device will be factory reset</strong>
321 to the latest version
322 of Android 6.0 Marshmallow (not necessarily the version that you had
323 installed prior to enrolling the device). To ensure a clean installation,
324 your data will be erased from the device, including contacts, messages,
325 photos, and so on.
326</p>
327
328<h3 id="documentation_and_sample_code">Documentation and sample code</h3>
329
330<p>
331 These documentation resources are available on the Developer Preview site to
332 help you learn about the Android&nbsp;N:
333</p>
334
335<ul>
336 <li> <a href="{@docRoot}preview/setup-sdk.html">Setting Up the SDK</a> has
337 step-by-step instructions for getting started.</li>
338 <li> <a href="{@docRoot}preview/testing/guide.html">Testing Guide</a>
339 and <a href="{@docRoot}preview/behavior-changes.html">Behavior
340 Changes</a> point you to key areas to test.</li>
341 <li> Documentation of new APIs, including an <a
342 href="{@docRoot}preview/api-overview.html">API Overview</a>, downloadable
343 <a href="{@docRoot}preview/download.html#docs">API
344 Reference</a>, and detailed developer guides on key features such as add
345 here, and others.
346 <li> <a href="{@docRoot}preview/samples.html">Sample code</a> that
347 demonstrates how to support permissions and other new features.
348 <li> <a href="{@docRoot}preview/support.html#release-notes">Release notes</a>
349 for the current version of the N Developer Preview, including change notes and
350 diff reports.
351</ul>
352
353<h4 id="reference">Downloadable API Reference</h4>
354
355<p>
356 During the early preview updates, you can download the latest API reference
357 for the Android N platform as a separate zip archive. [LINK] The reference
358 download also includes a diff report that helps you identify API changes from
359 API 23 and the previous update.
360</p>
361
362<p>
363 When the Android N APIs are final and an official API level is assigned,
364 we’ll provide the API reference to you online at <a href=
365 "https://developer.android.com">https://developer.android.com</a>.
366</p>
367
368<h3 id="support_resources">
369 Support resources
370</h3>
371
372<p>
373 As you test and develop on the N Developer Preview, please use these channels
374 to report issues and give feedback.
375</p>
376
377<ul>
378 <li> <a href="https://code.google.com/p/android-developer-preview/">N Developer Preview Issue
379 Tracker</a> is your <strong>primary feedback channel.</strong> You can report bugs, performance
380 issues, and general feedback through the issue tracker. You can also check for <a
381 href="https://code.google.com/p/android-developer-preview/wiki/KnownIssues">known issues</a> and
382 find workaround steps. We’ll keep you updated on your issue as it’s triaged and sent to
383 the Android engineering team for review. </li>
384 <li> The <a href="https://developer.android.com/preview/dev-community">Android N Developer Community</a> is
385 a Google+ community where you can <strong>connect with other developers</strong>working with
386 Android N. You can share observations or ideas or find answers to
387 questions about Android N. We’ll moderate the community and provide answers and
388 guidance as needed.</li>
389</ul>
390
391<h3 id="targeting">Targeting, preview APIs, and publishing</h3>
392
393<p>
394 The N Developer Preview provides a development-only system and Android
395 library that <strong>does not have a standard API level</strong>. If you want
396 to opt out of compatibility behaviors to test your app (which is strongly
397 recommended), you can target the preview version of Android N by setting your
398 app's <code><a href=
399 "{@docRoot}guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element.html">targetSdkVersion</a></code>
400 to <code>“N”</code>.
401</p>
402
403<p>
404 The Android N Developer Preview delivers <strong>preview APIs</strong>
405 &mdash; the APIs will not be official until the final SDK is released,
406 currently planned for the third quarter of 2016. This means that you can
407 <strong>expect minor API changes</strong> over time, especially during
408 initial weeks of the program. We’ll provide a summary of changes to you with
409 each update of the Android N Developer Preview.
410</p>
411
412<p class="note">
413 <strong>Note</strong>: Although preview APIs may change, underlying
414 system behaviors are stable and ready for testing against
415 right away.
416</p>
417
418<p>
419 Google Play <strong>prevents publishing of apps targeting the N Developer
420 Preview</strong>. When the Android N final SDK is available, you’ll be able
421 to target the official Android N API level and publish your app to Google
422 Play via the alpha and beta release channels. Meanwhile, if you want to
423 distribute an app targeting Android M to testers, you can do so via email or
424 by direct download from your site.
425</p>
426
427<p>
428 At the full release of Android N to AOSP and OEMs, planned for Q3 2016,
429 you’ll be able to publish your apps targeting Android N to the public release
430 channel in Google Play.
431</p>
432
433
434<h2 id="how_to_get_started">How to get started</h2>
435
436<p>
437 To get started testing your app with Android N:
438</p>
439
440<ol>
441 <li> Review the <a href="{@docRoot}preview/api-overview.html">API Overview</a>
442 and <a href="{@docRoot}preview/behavior-changes.html">Behavior Changes</a> to
443 get an idea of what's new and how it affects your apps. In particular,
444 learn about the new <a href="{@docRoot}preview/features/runtime-permissions.html">runtime
445 permissions</a> model, power-saving features, and auto backup.</li>
446 <li> Set up your environment by following the instructions for <a
447 href="{@docRoot}preview/setup-sdk.html">Setting up the Preview SDK</a>
448 and configuring test devices.</li>
449 <li> Follow the <a href="https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images">flashing
450 instructions</a> to flash the latest N Developer Preview system image for Nexus 5X,
451 6, 6P, 9, Pixel C, and Player. </li>
452 <li> Review the <a href="{@docRoot}reference/packages.html">API Reference</a>
453 and <a href="{@docRoot}preview/samples.html">M Preview samples</a> to gain more
454 insight into new API features and how to use them in your app.
455 <li> Join the <a href="https://developer.android.com/preview/dev-community">Android N
456 Developer Community</a> to get the latest news and connect with other
457 developers working with the new platform.</li>
Dirk Dougherty5748bc42016-02-06 18:24:32 -0800458</ol>
459
460<p>
David Friedmana18c41a2016-03-03 18:26:29 -0800461 Thank you for your participation in the Android N Developer Preview program!
Dirk Doughertya6495a922016-03-04 15:21:59 -0800462</p>