Android 16 could allow developers to stuff their app preferences in system settings, a la Apple

Summary

• Android 16 introduces a new API, SettingsPreferenceService, that allows apps to integrate their settings directly into the Android Settings app, potentially creating a unified settings experience.
• The success of this feature hinges on developer adoption, as the equivalent API on iOS sees limited use. Google's decision to open the API to third-party developers or restrict it to system apps will be crucial.
• While a unified settings hub could simplify user experience, inconsistent implementation would undermine its value, making widespread developer participation essential for its effectiveness.

As it stands right now, the Settings app on your Android device is primarily responsible for handling all device-related settings, while app-related settings and preferences are normally found within the apps themselves. This, however, could change with Android 16, with apps potentially gaining access to a new API that would let developers integrate their own app settings directly into the system's settings UI.

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The development, which was first spotted by credible Android analyst Mishaal Rahman in a report for Android Authority, suggests that Android 16 adds a new SettingsPreferenceService API which could turn Android's already-crowded Settings screen into a central hub for app-specific preferences.

Developers get to decide if they want to present app preferences within the broader system settings screen, complete with an option ti highlight only a certain kind. Developers can define preferences as read-only or writable, or mark preferences as 'DEEPLINK_ONLY,' with a direct link to specific settings within the said app. Further, using the API, developers will also be able to mark settings as 'EXPECT_POST_CONFIRMATION' for reversible changes, 'NO_DIRECT_ACCESS' for sensitive settings that must be changed from within the app, and 'NO_SENSITIVITY' for settings that can be changed without explicit consent.

iOS shows an adoption hurdle

Jules Wang / AP

For reference, developers working on apps for iPhones have access to an equivalent API on iOS, but it is hardly ever utilized to its full potential. Although adding app-specific preferences within the broader Settings menu would create a much more integrated and unified user experience, it would only make sense if the API was widely adopted. The practicality diminishes if you have to manually go into Settings just to see if a specific app offers integrated preferences, only to find that it doesn't, and now you need to navigate to its in-app settings.

The reluctance to contribute preferences would likely carry over to Android if Google were to make the API available to all third-party apps. Alternatively, Google might limit SettingsPreferenceService to its own apps or other system apps, resulting in limited, yet 100 percent hit-rate usage.

Android 16 has hit Platform Stability, and we'll know for sure whether SettingsPreferenceService will be limited to system apps or open to all when stable comes knocking in June.

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