targetingstorage
Scoped storage is enforced
Apps targeting Android 11 cannot use requestLegacyExternalStorage; scoped storage applies.
What to doUse app-specific directories, MediaStore or the Storage Access Framework.
API 30 · R
Android 11
Conversation notifications and bubbles
The story
Android 11 was shaped by a year of remote work and a renewed focus on privacy.
The problem
Permissions had become routine grants that users did not revisit, and the kernel still varied wildly between devices.
Android 11 added one-time permissions, permission auto-reset, package visibility filtering, conversation notifications, and GKI, which made the kernel updatable.
The kernel became something Google could update.
What shipped
- Conversation notifications and bubbles
- One-time permissions
- Power menu controls for smart home
- Media controls in Quick Settings
- Wireless Android Auto
Platform internals
What changed underneath the APIs. These are the changes this site's architecture modules explain in depth.
- GKI: the Generic Kernel Image splits the kernel into core + vendor modules
- App hibernation
- Package visibility filtering
- Incremental app installs
What developers had to deal with
- Package visibility (<queries>)
- Background location requires a second request
- One-time permissions
- Scoped storage enforced for targeting apps
- Incremental installation
- APK Signature Scheme v4
Behaviour changes
The full archive has every recorded change with its migration advice.
targetingpermissions
Background location is a separate grant
An app must request background location separately, and the system may show a second prompt.
What to doExplain the need and handle denial of background location independently of foreground location.
targetingpermissions
One-time permissions
Users can grant camera, microphone or location for one session only.
What to doCheck permission state each time and handle revocation between sessions.
targetingprivacy
Permission auto-reset
Permissions are reset for apps that go unused for a few months.
What to doCheck permissions at runtime rather than caching the result forever.
targetingother
Package visibility is filtered
Apps only see installed packages they declare an interest in through a <queries> element.
What to doDeclare <queries> for packages you need to discover, or use the intent-based APIs.
targetingbackground
Foreground service access to the camera and microphone
Foreground services have restricted access to camera and microphone while in the background.
What to doDo the work while visible, or use the appropriate foreground service type.
targetingnotifications
Bubbles and conversation notifications
Conversations must be marked as such to get the new notification treatment.
What to doSet the conversation shortcut and the notification category so conversations rank correctly.
targetingui
Display cutout and waterfall insets
The system enforces insets for cutouts and curved edges more strictly.
What to doUse WindowInsets APIs instead of hard-coded system bar heights.
all appsprivacy
Mic and camera toggles
The user can disable the microphone and camera system-wide.
What to doHandle unavailable sensors and inform the user what is happening.
all appsother
Incremental installation
Apps can be installed and launched before the download finishes.
What to doMake sure your app handles being launched with partial resources.
all appssecurity
APK Signature Scheme v4
Incremental installs use the v4 signature.
What to doUpdate the signing setup in CI so builds produce a v4 signature.
Permissions introduced here
BIND_CONTROLSunknownBIND_QUICK_ACCESS_WALLET_SERVICEsignatureINTERACT_ACROSS_PROFILESunknownLOADER_USAGE_STATSsignature|privileged|appopMANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGEsignature|appop|preinstalledNFC_PREFERRED_PAYMENT_INFOnormalQUERY_ALL_PACKAGESnormalREAD_PRECISE_PHONE_STATEunknown
Where this sits
Release 30 of 37 API levels, by date
- Headline features
- 5
- Architecture changes
- 4
- Developer changes
- 6
- Sources cited
- 6
Kernel
This release shipped on Linux kernel versions 4.14, 4.19, 5.4. Kernel versions vary by device.