What's new for Android in the enterprise

Each new version of Android includes a range of new features and improvements designed for Android in the enterprise. Whether you're developing a device policy controller or apps for managed Google Play, you can refer to this section to review the new APIs, features, and behavior changes introduced in each version of Android.

Android 16

Some of the new enterprise features and updates in Android 16 include the ability to:

• Block the use of Thread networks.
• Enable or disable the NFC controller on the device.
• Set the AppFunctionManager policy.
• Streamline the enterprise setup flow.
• Control whether time and time zone should be obtained automatically from the network.

Android 15

Some of the new enterprise features and updates in Android 15 include:

• Enhanced employee and device protection
  • Android theft protection
  • Private space for personal profile
  • NIAP compliance maintenance
• Stronger management of company-owned devices
  • Simplify eSIM management on managed devices
  • Controls for Circle to Search on Android Work Profile
  • Additional customization for corporate-owned devices

Android 14

Some of the new enterprise features and updates in Android 14 include:

• Enhanced PIN security with 6-digit PIN as the default length.
• Allow or disallow an approved credential manager in work profile and fully managed devices.
• Protect devices from 2G-based threats by disabling 2G connectivity.
• Swipe sideways to quickly switch profiles in Google apps.
• Save screenshots from work apps to your work profile.
• Choose which apps to share when screen sharing while respecting admin controls.
• Enable or disable ultra-wide band (UWB) to comply with National Information Assurance Partnership (NIAP).
• Seamless and secure cross-profile experiences which include:
  • Cross-profile access to contacts
  • Cross-profile caller ID searches
• Two contact fields:
  • ContactsContract.Contacts#ENTERPRISE_CONTENT_URI
  • ContactsContract.CommonDataKinds.Phone#ENTERPRISE_CONTENT_URI
• Headless Device Owner mode
• Some notable API deprecations

Android 13

Some of the new enterprise features and updates in Android 13 include:

• Work apps can access NFC and can be set as default payment for business expenses among other use cases.
• View the device's security and privacy settings of both profiles in one page.
• New security logs to comply with the NIAP's requirements.
• Place a company-owned device in Lost Mode to lock and locate it.
• In Android 13 (API level 33) and higher, internet connectivity is required by default to provision company-owned devices.
• android.app.extra.PROVISIONING_LOGO_URI is fully deprecated in Android 13 (API level 33) and higher.

Android 12

Some of the new enterprise features and updates in Android 12 include:

• Password complexity and security challenge streamlining for work profiles.
• Enrollment-specific IDs for work profiles.
• Disable USB and limit input methods on company-owned devices.
• Certificate management for unmanaged devices.

Android 11

Some of the new enterprise features and updates in Android 11 include:

• Work profile enhancements for company-owned devices.
• The work and personal tabs have been extended to more device features.
• You can now schedule work profile pausing.

Android 10

Some of the new enterprise features and updates in Android 10 include:

• Apps running in the personal profile can show events from the work profile calendar.
• The ability to provision work profiles on devices enrolled with QR codes or using Zero touch.
• New option to install system updates on fully managed devices using a system update file.

Android 9

Highlights from the enterprise features in Android 9 include:

• New user interface controls in Android's default launcher to help device users separate personal and work apps.
• APIs for lock task mode to support all Android apps and add improved control over the user interface.
• Support multiple users on dedicated devices.
• New APIs to help users switch between work and personal instances of an app.

To learn about all the new enterprise features in Android 9, read What's new in Android 9 for enterprise apps.

Android 8.0

Some of the highlights introduced for Android in the enterprise in Android 8.0 include:

• A new deployment scenario that allows work profiles on fully managed devices.
• New logging and reporting features available to affiliated users.
• The ability to offload app management to other applications using API delegation.

To see all the new enterprise features in Android 8.0, read What's New in Android 8.0.

Android 7.0

Some of the new features and updates for Android in the enterprise in Android 7.0 include:

• Provisioning corp-liable devices using a QR code.
• Setting security challenges for apps running in the work profile.
• Requiring work apps to always connect through a specified VPN.

To see all the new enterprise features in Android 7.0, read What's New in Android 7.0.