Android 16

[Navid200]

I have upgraded my Pixel 6a to Android 16 beta 4.
xDrip (2025.04.30) is running fine as a collector from G7 and uploading to Nightscout.

[PhilTU]

Would this mean dropping the oldest supported version of Android if 16 is supported as standard ?

[Navid200]

When a new Android version comes out, we test it.
If Google has made major changes that force us to stop supporting an older version of Android, we will have no choice but to stop supporting that older version of Android.

When Android 15 beta came out about a year ago, I tested it and could not run xDrip. I had no choice but to stop supporting Android 6.

Testing Android 16, I have reported that it works fine. Therefore, it doesn't look like we have to retire Android 7.
This is not an official announcement in that respect. I am just stating my findings. What we will have to do will be decided as we move closer and as we consider what is best for the community.

[PhilTU]

ok, I understood from last time that there was a limit in how many versions of android could be supported at once, so android 6 had to be dropped to allow 15 to be included. I misunderstood I guess. I went back to check and I see now it was a specific limit on the oldest version supported that was permitted by the new version of the OS.

[Navid200]

No, there is no such limit as far as I know.

But, it is a fact that by providing support to older versions, we are denying some benefits. As an example, there is no need to have the location service active on an Android phone in order to use Bluetooth as of Android 11 or 12. But, we still have that requirement even on Android 15. The reason is that the only way we can remove the requirement is by retiring all the older Android versions.

So, it is not an easy decision to make. On one side, you have users who cannot afford to buy a new phone. On the other side, you have users who are asking for what you can offer them only if you retire an older version.
What do you do?
Another example of a decision the lead developer has to make knowing that someone is not going to be happy.

[Navid200]

There has just been an update to Android 16 beta.
Installing xDrip does not require you to tap on install anyway. It just installs as any app from the play store.