Tech Updates

Determine if You Need to Update Your App for Android 7.0 Nougat

Jul 28, 2017

By: Marissa Camilli

Android 7.0 Nougat introduced several new features and updates that help boost performance, reduce data usage, and improve Android device security.

But, how do you figure out whether or not you need to add support to your existing apps?

UI/UX Improvements

Multi-window support

One of the changes in Android 7.0 makes Multi-window support native. Samsung has had this feature since the Galaxy S3 and the Note II hit the market.

With native support, all devices running Android 7.0 will have multi-window support. If you have a productivity app or communication app, you can improve the UX by adding multi-window support to it.

Apps that require a full screen need not add support for this new native feature.

Multi-locale support

Android 7.0 adds native support for multi-local and bilingual users. Currently, there is support for about 100 new languages and local variants for popular languages such as Spanish and English.

Developers who have apps that are used by people from multiple locales and languages may want to add support for multi-local in their Android apps.

Direct Reply/Bundled Notifications

Direct reply allows users to reply to notifications and messages from the notification screen, without having to open the correct app.

Bundled Notifications are grouped by app and displayed in notifications. When the user taps a bundled notification, the notification expands to show all similar notifications.

Developers who have apps that send out notifications need to take a look at both Direct Reply and Bundled Notifications to see if their apps will benefit from adding support.

Messaging apps and apps that allow comments may be primary candidates, but games and other apps that send frequent notifications may benefit from adding this type of support, too.