Android 16 introduces a new API called SettingsPreferenceService that allows apps to contribute their preferences to the Android Settings app. This could potentially give users a more centralized place to manage both system and app-level preferences.
However, it’s unclear whether Android app developers will actually take advantage of this new API. A similar API has been available on iOS for quite some time, yet only a limited number of iOS developers use it. In many cases, even major third-party apps do not provide any settings through the iOS Settings app.
Typically, users don’t go to the Android Settings app to manage individual app settings. Most apps offer their own in-app settings menus, which are often more comprehensive and flexible than what system settings would allow. Because of this, Android Settings has remained mostly focused on OS-level preferences rather than individual app configurations.
Will Developers Use the New API?
The new API allows developers to integrate app-specific settings directly into Android Settings, and it supports both read-only and writable options. This could turn Android Settings into a more universal interface for managing not just system preferences but also those from various apps—if widely adopted.
Some developers have already found creative ways to surface app settings inside the system settings. For instance, Niagara Launcher uses unconventional methods to embed its configuration options into Android’s Settings app.
But this doesn’t necessarily mean the new API will see widespread use. If the intent behind SettingsPreferenceService is to encourage third-party developers to adopt it, history suggests that adoption might be limited. As noted by my colleague Rita El-Kura, only a few iOS apps—mostly third-party Apple apps—currently take advantage of the equivalent feature on iOS. The majority either provide very few settings or none at all.
A Familiar Pattern, with Limited Expectations
The limited use of iOS’s similar API indicates that developers may have little incentive to make changes on Android either, adds NIX Solutions. The reasons for this are likely the same: apps tend to favor their own in-app interfaces, which offer greater flexibility and control.
Yet we’ll keep you updated as more integrations become available. It’s possible that some developers may experiment with this feature, especially if it offers any advantages in terms of user experience or consistency. But for now, widespread adoption remains uncertain.