Google I/O 2025: Android Studio Narwhal Goes All-In on AI-Powered App Development

At Google I/O 2025, Android Studio Narwhal Feature Drop (2025.2.1) preview debuted with major updates focused on speed and automation. Gemini 2.5 Pro now powers key workflows, helping developers write, test, and debug code faster across the IDE.

Gemini’s new “Journeys” feature lets you describe app behavior in plain English. It runs UI tests on real or virtual devices without writing test code. Crash fixes also get smarter—Gemini scans your code and can suggest actual fixes, which you can accept and push to source control instantly.

Also read: Google I/O 2025: Top 10 Highlights of Google’s New Announcements

Developers can now test AI features in stable builds via the Studio Labs tab. Compose Preview tools also received major upgrades: automatic preview generation, resizable windows, inline UI editing using natural language, and file-based context sharing with Gemini.

Android Studio now supports image input—Gemini can generate layout code from screenshots or mockups. Settings sync across devices, and backup/restore flows got a native UI. The built-in XR Emulator also now runs in embedded mode by default.

Other updates include 16 KB memory page warnings, Kotlin Multiplatform templates, and an experimental browser-based Android Studio Cloud. Coming soon: Version Upgrade Agent, AI-powered Agent Mode, and Google Play policy lint checks—all built to keep your development workflow fast and efficient.