Adaptive development for the expanding Android ecosystem

Posted Fahd Imtiaz, Senior Product Manager, Adaptive AppsWith the release of Android 17, we are transitioning into an adaptive first development standard. Your users no longer rely on a single form factor; they transition between phones, foldables, tablets, laptops, automotive displays, and immersive XR environments throughout their day. Now, with over 580 million large screen devices in the hands of users, adaptive is no longer just a technical goal. It’s a massive opportunity to reach highly engaged users. To thrive in this multi-device ecosystem, your app must be resilient, responsive, and ready for virtually any surface. The multi-device opportunityThe Android device universe is now a multi device reality. Users are buying into entire ecosystems, moving from handhelds to foldables, tablets, and cars. And the data is clear: users with multiple devices often spend more than users with only a phone. Drive higher revenue: Multi-device users spend 9x more on average than phone only users. On foldables, that engagement multiplier can reach 14x. (Source: Google Internal Data, 2026) Capture high-value segments: Large-screen users (tablets, foldables, and Chromebooks) typically spend roughly 5x more than phone-only users. To help amplify your reach with these users, we've rolled out a new badge in Google Play. Apps meeting adaptive quality standards now earn an "Optimized for large screens" badge, making it easier for users to discover high quality experiences. Latest in adaptive Android development from Google I/OAndroid 17, new Jetpack updates and advanced tools help you build apps that feel native across diverse surfaces, from pocket-sized foldables to Googlebooks. Adaptive by default: Android 17 updates In Android 16, we introduced significant changes to orientation and...

Original source: https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/05/android-adaptive-development-ecosystem.html
Publisher: Android Developers Blog