Apps in Android 16 Could Block Access to AI Writing Tools

The use of generative artificial intelligence to generate text is becoming increasingly popular. This feature is also built into many smartphones, but the access methods differ depending on the device. Samsung requires the Samsung Keyboard app, Apple hides it in the typing field, Google asks users to call Gemini and generate with voice commands.

Coming in Android 16, apps installed on devices can block access to the generative artificial intelligence-powered writing tool feature. The Android Authority team found new code in Android 16 DP2 related to the WritingTools API. Why does Google want app developers to allow this barrier for this new AI feature that is increasingly used?

The simple answer is to ensure that text fields such as for usernames, emails, passwords, addresses, and others to fill in important information are typed by the user themselves. Such typing fields should not be generated with AI. If users want to make the process even easier, Android's built-in auto-fill feature is mature and very useful.

Android 16DP2 is now available for testing on select Pixel devices. If you'd like to try it, please understand the risks of testing a beta version of the operating system on a personal device.