Google is dusting off the Android Dev Summit. The developer-focused conference is returning in 2026, the first time Google has held a dedicated event like this since 2022. The agenda also gives us our first official peek at Android 18.
When and Where the Android Dev Summit 2026 Takes Place
The summit runs for two days, October 28 to October 29, 2026, at Google's headquarters in Mountain View, California. Google is also hosting an "Extended" satellite event in London for developers outside the US.
Expect a keynote from Android leadership on the latest features and updates, followed by sessions split across four tracks: AI experiences, Android XR, Apps foundation, and Tools and performance.
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Android 18 Gets Its First Official Mention
The biggest nugget is buried in the session list. A talk on graphics in Jetpack Compose and Android 18 promises to show developers how to build effects like mesh gradients and progressive blurs using the "powerful new graphics features" coming in Android 18. Google also says it will cover how to keep these visuals efficient, without hurting battery life or frame rates.
Do note that Google hasn't said whether it will formally announce Android 18 at the event or before it. Android no longer ships traditional developer previews and now relies on the Canary channel. For context, Android 17 testing began sometime in January 2026 with early Canary builds, so an Android 18 preview arriving in October would be very early.
Moving on, Gemini and Android XR are clearly the other big themes. Sessions will cover connecting apps to Gemini, Search and the Android intelligence system, with Google describing Android as an intelligence system where agents like Gemini orchestrate tasks across apps.
It will also explore proactive experiences powered by the Android Context Engine. Another session focuses on building audio-first experiences for intelligent eyewear using Gemini Nano 4.
Even if you're not a developer, the summit is still worth watching. It's usually where Google previews the tools that shape the apps you'll use next year and this time it may also give us the first real look at what Android 18 has in store.
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