Android 16 is bringing big changes to how apps collect device data. One key update is the User-Agent Reduction for Android WebView, part of Google’s broader Privacy Sandbox initiative. This post explains what’s changing, how it affects apps using WebView, and what developers can do to prepare.
If you've been following developments around privacy and User-Agent changes in the browser world, you’ll know that Google has been gradually reducing the information available in the User-Agent string across Chrome and Android. Now, with Android 16 on the horizon (expected in Q2 2025), a new milestone is coming: User-Agent Reduction for Android WebView.
This change will affect how apps identify devices and platforms—especially if you're relying on WebView for this purpose. Here's everything you need to know to stay ahead.
Recap: What Is User-Agent Reduction?
Before diving into the specifics of WebView, let’s quickly recap what User-Agent (UA) Reduction means.
UA Reduction is part of Google’s ongoing Privacy Sandbox initiative. The goal is to minimize passive fingerprinting by removing or freezing certain values in the User-Agent string, such as the device model and platform version.
Instead of a full detailed string, which would look like this:
Mozilla/5.0 (Linux; Android 14; SM-F741B Build/UP1A.231005.007; wv) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Chrome/120.0.6099.193 Mobile Safari/537.36
websites and apps will increasingly see something like this:
Mozilla/5.0 (Linux; Android; 10; K; wv) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/120.0.0.0 Mobile Version/4.0 Safari/537.36
You can read more in our original User-Agent Reduction blog or check out Google’s official update for WebView.
User-Agent Reduction in Android 16: What’s Changing?
Starting with Android 16, WebView will also adopt the reduced User-Agent format. That means if your app uses WebView to collect device information—even indirectly—you will likely see the following issues:
- Device model detection will degrade (e.g., fallback to "Generic Android").
- Platform version will be unknown.
- Detection accuracy will drop unless changes are made.
This update builds on earlier UA reduction changes, but this time it affects apps that use WebView, not just websites viewed in browsers.
How Android WebView Changes Affect Your App
If your native app uses WebView to access device info or to deliver content, you need to act. Here’s what to expect:
- If you do nothing, your ability to detect device model or OS version from the User-Agent will deteriorate as users upgrade to Android 16.
- This isn't an instant change—users will adopt Android 16 over time—but the impact will become noticeable in your data and analytics.
- Most notably, you’ll start seeing more “Generic Android” hardware and “Unknown” platform versions.
What Should You Do?
To avoid disruption and maintain accurate detection, you should:
- Implement Client Hint Headers - These provide structured information about the device and platform, and they are privacy friendly. Make sure your app supports them and that you integrate them into your detection logic alongside the User-Agent. Learn more about Client Hints in our guide.
- Consider Additional Data Sources - If you're a cloud user and distribute your native application via the Google Play Store, you can also use a richer data source available from native applications to enhance your device detection. Check out our full guide: How to Use 51Degrees in Combination with Native Applications.
FAQs
- What is Android WebView User-Agent Reduction? - User-Agent Reduction in Android WebView is a privacy update in Android 16 that limits the device and OS information available through the User-Agent string. It aims to reduce fingerprinting and enhance user privacy.
- Why are only Apps affected this time? - WebView is widely used in Android apps, even those that don’t use it for browsing, because it allows apps to access the User-Agent string. Because of this, apps that rely on User-Agent-based detection via WebView are impacted, even if they’re not actively using it for web content.
- When will Android 16 be released? - There’s no firm date yet, but Google’s developer preview post points to a Q2 2025 release. However, users will update gradually, so the change won’t hit everyone at once.
Final Thoughts
This update is another step toward a more privacy-focused web and app ecosystem. But it comes with trade-offs—especially for those who rely on device detection for analytics, optimization, or targeting.
If your app uses WebView for User-Agent data, this is your heads-up to act now. Support for Client Hints and enhanced data available from native applications will help you navigate this change and maintain visibility into your user base.
Stay ahead of the curve—and don’t get caught off guard by “Generic Android” showing up in your logs.