Posted by Dan Galpin – Android Developer Relations

To higher assist you and supply earlier, extra constant entry to in-development options, we’re saying a big evolution in our pre-release program. Shifting ahead, the Android platform may have a Canary launch channel, which is able to exchange the earlier developer preview program. This Canary launch channel will operate alongside the prevailing beta program.

This variation is designed to supply a extra streamlined and steady alternative so that you can check out new platform capabilities and supply suggestions all through the whole yr, not simply within the early months of a brand new launch cycle.

Limitations of the earlier developer preview mannequin

The Developer Preview program has been a essential a part of our launch cycle, however its construction had inherent limitations:

• Developer Previews weren’t tied to a launch channel, and needed to be manually flashed to units each time the cycle would restart.
• As a result of previews have been tied to the following designated Android launch, they have been solely obtainable in the course of the earliest a part of the cycle. As soon as a platform model reached the Beta stage, the preview monitor would finish, creating a spot the place options that have been promising however not but prepared for Beta had no official channel for suggestions.

A steady movement of options with the Canary channel

The brand new Android platform Canary channel addresses these challenges straight. By flashing your supported Pixel system to the Canary launch channel, now you can obtain a steady, rolling stream of the newest platform builds by way of over-the-air (OTA) updates.

• You may check out and supply enter on new options and deliberate habits modifications of their earliest levels. These modifications could not at all times make it right into a steady Android launch.
• The Canary launch channel will run in parallel with the beta program. The beta program stays the way in which so that you can attempt a extra polished set of seemingly soon-to-be-released options.
• You should use the Canary builds along with your CI to see if any of our in-development options trigger surprising issues along with your app, maximizing the time now we have to handle your considerations.

Who ought to use the Canary channel?

The Canary channel is meant for builders that wish to discover and take a look at with the earliest pre-release Android APIs and potential habits modifications. Builds from the Canary channel may have handed our automated assessments in addition to skilled a brief take a look at cycle with inside customers. It is best to anticipate bugs and breaking modifications. These bleeding-edge builds won’t be the only option for somebody to make use of as their main or solely system.

The present beta channel will stay the first method so that you can make it possible for your apps are each appropriate with and reap the benefits of upcoming platform options.

Getting began and offering suggestions

You should use the Android Flash Device to get the newest Canary construct onto your supported Pixel system. As soon as flashed, you must anticipate OTA updates for the newest Canary builds as they change into obtainable. To exit the channel, flash a Beta or Public construct to your system. This can require a knowledge partition wipe.

Canary releases can be obtainable on the Android Emulator by the Machine Supervisor in Android Studio (presently, simply within the Android Studio Canary channel), and Canary SDKs can be obtainable so that you can develop in opposition to by the SDK Supervisor.

Since most habits modifications require focusing on a launch, you may goal Canary releases the way in which you may goal another platform SDK model, or use the Compatibility Framework with supported options to allow habits modifications in your apps.

Suggestions is a essential element of this new program, so please file function suggestions and bug stories in your Canary expertise by the Google Subject Tracker.

By transitioning to a real Canary channel, we goal to create a extra clear, collaborative, and environment friendly growth course of, providing you with the seamless entry you could put together for the way forward for Android.