Forward-looking: The next version of Android will introduce unprecedented restrictions for app developers. All apps targeting Android 16 must be adaptive, meaning custom UI choices that don’t scale properly on larger screens will no longer be allowed.
Google is clearly fed up with developers who ignore adaptability when designing their apps. The tech giant is currently working on Android 16, an operating system set to introduce significant changes to UI orientation and “resizability” for full-screen apps.
According to Google, the global Android ecosystem now includes more than three billion devices, making it more diverse than ever. The mobile OS powers smartphones, foldables, tablets, Chromebooks, car infotainment systems, and more. With this diversity, users expect the apps they download to function seamlessly across all their devices. However, some developers still force their apps to follow rigid, fixed UI paradigms.
Many Android apps are still designed for a single screen orientation or restrict users from resizing the interface. With Android 16, that’s set to change. The new OS will enforce a standardized model for adaptive apps, ensuring that every app interface automatically adjusts to different screen sizes and orientations.
Android 16 will begin phasing out manifest attributes and runtime APIs that allow apps to restrict orientation and resizing, Google has confirmed. Initially, these changes will apply only to “larger” screens – devices where the smaller display dimension is at least 600dp. This includes foldable phones, tablets with desktop windowing capabilities, desktop environments, and Chromebooks.
Google provided a list of attributes and APIs that Android 16 (SDK 36) will ignore on larger screens. However, there are exceptions – apps can still enforce UI restrictions on smaller screens or in specific gaming scenarios. To prepare for these changes, Google recommends developers avoid stretched UI components, ensure camera compatibility in both orientations, and preserve app state across different window sizes.
Building fully adaptive apps benefits both developers and users. Google cited FlipaClip as an example of how adaptive UIs can drive growth: after optimizing its app, the company reportedly saw a 54 percent increase in tablet users within four months.
Google also shared a timeline for these API changes. In 2025, Android 16 will include an option to opt out of the new adaptive paradigm. However, by 2026, all apps targeting API level 37 will be required to support larger screens, with no opt-out option.
