Android 16 restriction to apps orientation removed - Do we have to cater for tablet too even if we dont want to?

[gabsamples6]

Hi
I would like to know your view on this article
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2025/01/orientation-and-resizability-changes-in-android-16.html

we currently have apps that only support "Portrait mode" and do not have demands for tablets etc..

My question
Is android slowly forcing us to cater for tablet too and create "Adaptive apps"?

Do we need to start making changes to all those screens or legacy screens with ported to Maui and make sure they work well and look good on landscape and tablets? So far we didnt have a need.

Am I misreading this article?

thanks

[asi-evin]

It looks like you will be able to opt out for Android 16, and according to the article at least, it only applies to tablets. So you have until Android 17 to make your layout adaptive. If you're really adverse to doing that, I think there's also a way to restrict your app to smaller devices in the app manifest,but users with Tablets wouldn't be able to install your app.

[gabsamples6]

Hi thanks for your reply - I am not adverse to it but it’s like 100 + pages - but is your take according to the article mandatory to make it tablet complaint by Android 17?

[asi-evin]

Yes, that's my take.

Edit: Keep in mind, I don't think you HAVE to do anything, just your layout may look wonky when teh user puts it in landscape.