Xiaomi has officially joined the Android 16 beta wave by launching its own Developer Preview Program. Following closely behind OnePlus, Xiaomi is now giving early access to Android 16 for two of its flagship models—Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 14T Pro. Here's my experience exploring what this release means for developers and what you can expect if you're eager to try it.
Through a quiet announcement on its official website, Xiaomi confirmed the Android 16 Developer Preview Program is live. While it’s currently limited to the Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 14T Pro, this release is a major step for developers looking to test their apps ahead of Android 16's full launch.
According to Xiaomi:
"The Android 16 Developer Preview Program provides all the features needed to improve the compatibility and development of your application for the next version of Android. At present, Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 14T Pro are available for the Android 16 Developer Preview Program, which is free for developers to use. Flash the preview build, and you will be able to use it immediately."
This means if you're a developer—or just an adventurous user—you can flash the preview build today and start experimenting.
No HyperOS Features Yet
It’s worth noting that these builds are focused strictly on Android 16 development and don’t include any of Xiaomi’s upcoming HyperOS features. I didn’t notice any flashy UI enhancements or new native tools from Xiaomi’s side. The company seems to be prioritizing developer feedback and app compatibility at this stage.
More details on Xiaomi’s own enhancements will likely arrive later, probably closer to the stable Android 16 release.
OnePlus and Google Also Expanding Android 16 Rollout
Earlier this week, OnePlus made Android 16 available for the OnePlus 13, giving developers on that platform a similar early access opportunity. Meanwhile, Google is preparing to roll out another beta build of Android 16 later this month, with a stable release expected in just a couple of months.
Samsung, on the other hand, appears to be fast-tracking its One UI 8 rollout, which will be based on Android 16 and is reportedly launching with its new foldables in July.
Should You Try Xiaomi’s Android 16 Developer Preview?
If you're using a Xiaomi 15 or 14T Pro and you're comfortable with flashing ROMs, I’d recommend trying the developer preview—especially if you’re building or testing apps. Just remember, this isn't intended for casual users or as a daily driver. There may be bugs, performance issues, and missing features.
Still, Xiaomi offering this early access shows its commitment to keeping pace with Android's evolution, and it's great to see multiple OEMs collaborating early on major Android updates.
As someone who loves to dive into developer previews, I’m excited to see Xiaomi taking initiative with Android 16. While the preview doesn't offer anything flashy just yet, it lays the foundation for a smooth transition to Android 16 later this year. If you’re a developer or tech enthusiast, this is your chance to get a head start.
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