Google changed the Android release timeline in a big way in 2025, moving from one major platform release per year to two. The first major SDK release will now arrive in Q2 every year, followed by a smaller, incremental SDK release in Q4. Android 17 will follow the same structure, but Google plans to release fewer beta builds this time around.
With Android 16 last year, Google clearly outlined the major beta release timelines. The first beta arrived in January, followed by another major beta in February. The OS then reached the Platform Stability milestone in March.
For Android 17, Google has not clearly outlined the major beta release timeline. Its Android 17 beta announcement only mentions “Later Beta Releases” and shows the OS reaching Platform Stability in March, with the final release potentially arriving in June (via 9to5Google).
The company also says that it will “be moving quickly from this Beta to our Platform Stability milestone.”
This could mean Android 17 will have fewer beta releases than usual. That would make sense, especially since the first beta arrived a month later than Android 16 did. Otherwise, the rest of the OS release timeline appears to mirror Android 16.
Fewer beta builds could indirectly point to Google not including major new user-facing changes in Android 17. Instead, they might arrive as part of future Quarterly Platform Releases.
Still, we should still see Google release at least one more major Android 17 Beta with new features and changes before it hits Platform Stability. That’s in addition to smaller beta builds for fixing any major reported bugs.
Canary channel changes the beta game
Google still plans to release QPR (Quarterly Platform Releases) of Android 17. However, only the “upcoming release in Q2” will introduce underlying API changes that could break apps or affect their functionality.
The fewer beta builds could be due to Google introducing the Android Canary Channel. This channel gives users faster access to new features and APIs, rolling them out as soon as they pass internal testing. This early testing also helps in delivering a stable and bug-free Beta experience.
