Ahead of its 2025 I/O developer conference, Google rolled out a suite of updates that make Android smarter and more secure than we’ve ever known it to be.
Under the spotlight at this year’s “Android Show: I/O Edition” were improvements that moved beyond aesthetics, going deep into personalisation, security, device intelligence, and cross-platform integration.
Android, which powers over three billion devices globally, is entering a more personal, more proactive, and much harder to compromise phase.
Android and Wear OS Now Let You Design the Experience Your Way
Tired of a generic phone look? Android 16 and Wear OS 6 introduce Material 3 Expressive, a significant design makeover. It’s about making your devices truly personal and easier to use. Imagine animations reacting to your touch, like icons subtly shifting when you dismiss a message, making interactions feel alive. Born from research with over 18,000 users, the result is beautiful, enjoyable interfaces.
Customise phone colours and quick settings – place your flashlight for easy access. On smartwatches, the design wraps smoothly around round screens, and your watch face theme will colour the entire system. For users in Kenya, South Africa, and Nigeria, where personal expression is key, this means technology that truly reflects you.
- Availability: Coming to Android 16 and Wear OS 6. Pixel devices first later this year, then other manufacturers.
Driving: Android Auto Gets Smarter with Gemini Becoming Your Co-pilot
Remember when your car was just for driving? Now, with Gemini, Google’s smart AI assistant, coming to your car, every journey becomes more productive and enjoyable. Whether you use Android Auto with your phone or have a car with Google built-in, Gemini is designed to be your ultimate co-pilot.
Imagine talking naturally to your car, without needing to remember specific commands. You can ask Gemini to find the best local food along your route and even get summaries of reviews.
If you’re messaging a friend who prefers a different language, Gemini can remember to always translate your messages for them. It can even help you find the location of your child’s soccer game that got buried in your email!
But Gemini isn’t just for navigation. On longer drives, you can ask it to summarise the news, or give you a quick rundown of a book for your book club. It’s like having a knowledgeable friend riding shotgun, ready to help with anything from finding a charging station near a park to helping you prepare for a big meeting.
This smart integration means less distraction and more convenience, making your time on the road in Nairobi, Johannesburg, or Lagos more efficient and fun.
- Availability: Android Auto in coming months; Google Built-in later this year (new Lincoln Nautilus, Renault R5, Honda Passport).
Your Watch, TV, and Even Smart Glasses Now Think Like Your Phone
Gemini’s intelligence is expanding beyond your phone to your Wear OS smartwatch, TV, and future Android XR smart glasses. On your Wear OS watch, get help hands-free: set gym locker reminders while baking or find restaurant details from an email. Google TV will get Gemini later this year for movie recommendations or educational content for kids.
Future Android XR headsets (starting with Samsung) will use Gemini for immersive experiences like vacation planning. Expect personalised, proactive help for a seamless, intelligent experience across your Android devices. Gemini Live’s camera and screen sharing capabilities are available now for Android users (no Advanced subscription required).
- Availability: Wear OS in coming months. Google TV later this year. Android XR with Samsung’s first headset later this year.
Find Hub: Smarter Tracking for Everything and Everyone
Android’s “Find My Device” is evolving into Find Hub, a central spot to locate tagged items and track friends and family (with permission). Easily track luggage, keys, or confirm a loved one’s safe arrival from one app. Find Hub supports more devices and Bluetooth tags (July, Mokobara, Pixbee). Ultra-wideband (UWB) tech (first on moto tag) offers precise tracking down to a few feet.
Later this year, satellite connectivity arrives for supported devices, enabling tracking without mobile coverage – ideal for adventures. Airline partnerships (e.g., British Airways, Singapore Airlines) will help locate luggage by sharing tag locations. For those in Africa facing varied network coverage or frequent travel, Find Hub is a powerful tool.
- Availability: Rolling out with new compatible devices/tags later this month (UWB on moto tag). Satellite connectivity later this year. Airline partnerships early next year.
Crystal Clear Communication: RCS Messaging Soars
Android has championed RCS (Rich Communication Services) for simple, reliable, feature-rich messaging, regardless of phone type. Success is clear: over a billion daily RCS messages in the U.S. alone enable high-quality photo/video sharing and improved group chats. RCS offers features like read receipts, typing indicators, and large file sharing directly in your standard messaging app for seamless communication.
- Availability: Globally available within Google Messages.
Enhanced App Security Through Smarter Scanning
Google Play Protect is tightening the screws on malicious apps. The built-in Android security system now leverages real-time threat detection using local device scanning rules.
A growing issue has been malicious apps hiding their icons or switching them after installation to avoid detection. Live threat detection will now expose these apps before they can cause harm.
Google says, “We’re expanding Play Protect to conduct real-time scans using on-device machine learning to detect emerging threats. This means safer apps—before you even install them.”
Every app, no matter where it’s downloaded from, will be scanned. If the system picks up suspicious behaviour, like unusual permission requests or data exfiltration patterns, it can block installation or alert users before damage is done.
Live threat detection, including hidden icon detection, will begin rolling out on Pixel 6 and newer, as well as selected devices from other manufacturers in the coming months.
Improved Theft Protection That Actually Works
Android is taking theft protection seriously. Building on its existing security layers, Android 16 introduces more stringent Factory Reset protections. Now, if a phone is stolen and someone attempts to wipe it, core functionalities remain locked unless the original owner confirms the action.
Additionally, Remote Lock is getting more secure with a new identity check step. A security question will be introduced, giving users more control over unauthorised access attempts.
But there’s a more specific threat being addressed. Thieves often aim to access one-time passwords (OTPs) from the lock screen to break into banking or messaging apps. Android 16 adds a high-risk protection feature.
If the phone hasn’t been recently unlocked and is offline, OTPs will no longer display on the lock screen. You’ll only see them after unlocking the device.
These changes point to a more aggressive stance by Google in protecting personal data. Identity Check, already available on Pixel and Samsung One UI 7 devices, will expand to more Android 16 devices across different brands.
Availability Timeline Recap:
- Material 3 Expressive: Android 16 and Wear OS 6, starting with Pixel phones later this year.
- Gemini for Android Auto: Coming in months; Google built-in cars later this year.
- Gemini on Wear OS, Google TV, Android XR: Rolling out over the next few months; XR with Samsung’s headset later in the year.
- Find Hub + UWB + Satellite Tracking: Moto tag and new Bluetooth tags later this month; satellite tracking later this year; airline support early next year.
- RCS Messaging: Now available worldwide via Google Messages.
- Google Play Protect Upgrades: Available globally now; live threat detection for Pixel 6+ and select OEMs coming soon.
- Theft Protection Enhancements: Rolling out with Android 16 later this year.
