13 Nov 2025

feedAndroid Developers Blog

Introducing CameraX 1.5: Powerful Video Recording and Pro-level Image Capture

Posted by Scott Nien, Software Engineer




The CameraX team is thrilled to announce the release of version 1.5! This latest update focuses on bringing professional-grade capabilities to your fingertips while making the camera session easier to configure than ever before.

For video recording, users can now effortlessly capture stunning slow-motion or high-frame-rate videos. More importantly, the new Feature Group API allows you to confidently enable complex combinations like 10-bit HDR and 60 FPS, ensuring consistent results across supported devices.

On the image capture front, you gain maximum flexibility with support for capturing unprocessed, uncompressed DNG (RAW) files. Plus, you can now leverage Ultra HDR output even when using powerful Camera Extensions.

Underpinning these features is the new SessionConfig API, which streamlines camera setup and reconfiguration. Now, let's dive into the details of these exciting new features.

Powerful Video Recording: High-Speed and Feature Combinations

CameraX 1.5 significantly expands its video capabilities, enabling more creative and robust recording experiences.

Slow Motion & High Frame Rate Video

One of our most anticipated features, slow-motion video, is now available. You can now capture high-speed video (e.g., 120 or 240 fps) and encode it directly into a dramatic slow-motion video. Alternatively, you can record at the same high frame rate to produce exceptionally smooth video.

Implementing this is straightforward if you're familiar with the VideoCapture API.

  1. Check for High-Speed Support: Use the new Recorder.getHighSpeedVideoCapabilities() method to query if the device supports this feature.

val cameraInfo = cameraProvider.getCameraInfo(cameraSelector)

val highSpeedCapabilities = Recorder.getHighSpeedVideoCapabilities(cameraInfo)

if (highSpeedCapabilities == null) {
    // This camera device does not support high-speed video.
    return
}
  1. Configure and Bind the Use Case: Use the returned videoCapabilities (which contains supported video quality information) to build a HighSpeedVideoSessionConfig. You must then query the supported frame rate ranges via cameraInfo.getSupportedFrameRateRanges() and set the desired range. Invoke setSlowMotionEnabled(true) to record slow motion videos, otherwise it will record high-frame-rate videos. The final step is to use the regular Recorder.prepareRecording().start() to begin recording the video.


val preview = Preview.Builder().build()
val quality = highSpeedCapabilities
        .getSupportedQualities(DynamicRange.SDR).first()

val recorder = Recorder.Builder()
      .setQualitySelector(QualitySelector.from(quality)))
      .build()

val videoCapture = VideoCapture.withOutput(recorder)

val frameRateRange = cameraInfo.getSupportedFrameRateRanges(      
       HighSpeedVideoSessionConfig(videoCapture, preview)
).first()

val sessionConfig = HighSpeedVideoSessionConfig(
    videoCapture, 
    preview, 
    frameRateRange = frameRateRange, 
    // Set true for slow-motion playback, or false for high-frame-rate
    isSlowMotionEnabled = true
)

cameraProvider.bindToLifecycle(
     lifecycleOwner, cameraSelector, sessionConfig)

// Start recording slow motion videos. 
val recording = recorder.prepareRecording(context, outputOption)
      .start(executor, {})

Compatibility and Limitations

High-speed recording requires specific CameraConstrainedHighSpeedCaptureSession and CamcorderProfile support. Always perform the capability check, and enable high-speed recording only on supported devices to prevent bad user experience. Currently, this feature is supported on the rear cameras of almost all Pixel devices and select models from other manufacturers.

Check the blog post for more details.

Combine Features with Confidence: The Feature Group API

CameraX 1.5 introduces the Feature Group API, which eliminates the guesswork of feature compatibility. Based on Android 15's feature combination query API, you can now confidently enable multiple features together, guaranteeing a stable camera session. The Feature Group currently supports: HDR (HLG), 60 fps, Preview Stabilization, and Ultra HDR. For instance, you can enable HDR, 60 fps, and Preview Stabilization simultaneously on Pixel 10 and Galaxy S25 series. Future enhancements are planned to include 4K recording and ultra-wide zoom.

The feature group API enables two essential use cases:

Use Case 1: Prioritizing the Best Quality

If you want to capture using the best possible combination of features, you can provide a prioritized list. CameraX will attempt to enable them in order, selecting the first combination the device fully supports.

val sessionConfig = SessionConfig(
    useCases = listOf(preview, videoCapture),
    preferredFeatureGroup = listOf(
        GroupableFeature.HDR_HLG10,
        GroupableFeature.FPS_60,
        GroupableFeature.PREVIEW_STABILIZATION
    )
).apply {
    // (Optional) Get a callback with the enabled features to update your UI.
    setFeatureSelectionListener { selectedFeatures ->
        updateUiIndicators(selectedFeatures)
    }
}
processCameraProvider.bindToLifecycle(activity, cameraSelector, sessionConfig)

In this example, CameraX tries to enable features in this order:

  1. HDR + 60 FPS + Preview Stabilization

  2. HDR + 60 FPS

  3. HDR + Preview Stabilization

  4. HDR

  5. 60 FPS + Preview Stabilization

  6. 60 FPS

  7. Preview Stabilization

  8. None

Use Case 2: Building a User-Facing Settings UI

You can now accurately reflect which feature combinations are supported in your app's settings UI, disabling toggles for unsupported options like the picture below.

To determine whether to gray out a toggle, use the following codes to check for feature combination support. Initially, query the status of every individual feature. Once a feature is enabled, re-query the remaining features with the enabled features to see if their toggles must now be grayed out due to compatibility constraints.

fun disableFeatureIfNotSuported(
   enabledFeatures: Set<GroupableFeature>,     
   featureToCheck:GroupableFeature
) {
 val sessionConfig = SessionConfig(
     useCases = useCases,
     requiredFeatureGroup = enabledFeatures + featureToCheck
 )
 val isSupported = cameraInfo.isFeatureGroupSupported(sessionConfig)

 if (!isSupported) {
     // disable the toggle for featureToCheck
 }
}

Please refer to the Feature Group blog post for more information.

More Video Enhancements

  • Concurrent Camera Improvements: With CameraX 1.5.1, you can now bind Preview + ImageCapture + VideoCapture use cases concurrently for each SingleCameraConfig in non-composition mode. Additionally, in composition mode (same use cases with CompositionSettings), you can now set the CameraEffect that is applied to the final composition result.

  • Dynamic Muting: You can now start a recording in a muted state using PendingRecording.withAudioEnabled(boolean initialMuted) and allow the user to unmute later using Recording.mute(boolean muted).

  • Improved Insufficient Storage Handling: CameraX now reliably dispatches the VideoRecordEvent.Finalize.ERROR_INSUFFICIENT_STORAGE error, allowing your app to gracefully handle low storage situations and inform the user.

  • Low Light Boost: On supported devices (like the Pixel 10 series), you can enable CameraControl.enableLowLightBoostAsync to automatically brighten the preview and video streams in dark environments.

Professional-Grade Image Capture

CameraX 1.5 brings major upgrades to ImageCapture for developers who demand maximum quality and flexibility.

Unleash Creative Control with DNG (RAW) Capture

For complete control over post-processing, CameraX now supports DNG (RAW) capture. This gives you access to the unprocessed, uncompressed image data directly from the camera sensor, enabling professional-grade editing and color grading. The API supports capturing the DNG file alone, or capturing simultaneous JPEG and DNG outputs. See the sample code below for how to capture JPEG and DNG files simultaneously.

val capabilities = ImageCapture.getImageCaptureCapabilities(cameraInfo)
val imageCapture = ImageCapture.Builder().apply {
    if (capabilities.supportedOutputFormats
             .contains(OUTPUT_FORMAT_RAW_JPEG)) {
        // Capture both RAW and JPEG formats.
        setOutputFormat(OUTPUT_FORMAT_RAW_JPEG)
    }
}.build()
// ... bind imageCapture to lifecycle ...


// Provide separate output options for each format.
val outputOptionRaw = /* ... configure for image/x-adobe-dng ... */
val outputOptionJpeg = /* ... configure for image/jpeg ... */
imageCapture.takePicture(
    outputOptionRaw,
    outputOptionJpeg,
    executor,
    object : ImageCapture.OnImageSavedCallback {
        override fun onImageSaved(results: OutputFileResults) {
            // This callback is invoked twice: once for the RAW file
            // and once for the JPEG file.
        }

        override fun onError(exception: ImageCaptureException) {}
    }
)

Ultra HDR for Camera Extensions

Get the best of both worlds: the stunning computational photography of Camera Extensions (like Night Mode) combined with the brilliant color and dynamic range of Ultra HDR. This feature is now supported on many recent premium Android phones, such as the Pixel 9/10 series and Samsung S24/S25 series.

// Support UltraHDR when Extension is enabled. 

val extensionsEnabledCameraSelector = extensionsManager
     .getExtensionEnabledCameraSelector(
        CameraSelector.DEFAULT_BACK_CAMERA, ExtensionMode.NIGHT)

val imageCapabilities = ImageCapture.getImageCaptureCapabilities(
               cameraProvider.getCameraInfo(extensionsEnabledCameraSelector)

val imageCapture = ImageCapture.Builder()
     .apply {
       if (imageCapabilities.supportedOutputFormats
                .contains(OUTPUT_FORMAT_JPEG_ULTRA_HDR) {
           setOutputFormat(OUTPUT_FORMAT_JPEG_ULTRA_HDR)

       }

     }.build()

Core API and Usability Enhancements

A New Way to Configure: SessionConfig

As seen in the examples above, SessionConfig is a new concept in CameraX 1.5. It centralizes configuration and simplifies the API in two key ways:

  1. No More Manual unbind() Calls: CameraX APIs are lifecycle-aware. It will implicitly "unbind" your use cases when the activity or other LifecycleOwner is destroyed. But updating use cases or switching cameras still requires you to call unbind() or unbindAll() before rebinding. Now with CameraX 1.5, when you bind a new SessionConfig, CameraX seamlessly updates the session for you, eliminating the need for unbind calls.

  2. Deterministic Frame Rate Control: The new SessionConfig API introduces a deterministic way to manage the frame rate. Unlike the previous setTargetFrameRate, which was only a hint, this new method guarantees the specified frame rate range will be applied upon successful configuration. To ensure accuracy, you must query supported frame rates using CameraInfo.getSupportedFrameRateRanges(SessionConfig). By passing the full SessionConfig, CameraX can accurately determine the supported ranges based on stream configurations.

Camera-Compose is Now Stable

We know how much you enjoy Jetpack Compose, and we're excited to announce that the camera-compose library is now stable at version 1.5.1! This release includes critical bug fixes related to CameraXViewfinder usage with Compose features like moveableContentOf and Pager, as well as resolving a preview stretching issue. We will continue to add more features to camera-compose in future releases.

ImageAnalysis and CameraControl Improvements

  • Torch Strength Adjustment: Gain fine-grained control over the device's torch with new APIs. You can query the maximum supported strength using CameraInfo.getMaxTorchStrengthLevel() and then set the desired level with CameraControl.setTorchStrengthLevel().

  • NV21 Support in ImageAnalysis: You can now request the NV21 image format directly from ImageAnalysis, simplifying integration with other libraries and APIs. This is enabled by invoking ImageAnalysis.Builder.setOutputImageFormat(OUTPUT_IMAGE_FORMAT_NV21).

Get Started Today

Update your dependencies to CameraX 1.5 today and explore the exciting new features. We can't wait to see what you build.

To use CameraX 1.5, please add the following dependencies to your libs.versions.toml. (We recommend using 1.5.1 which contains many critical bug fixes and concurrent camera improvements.)

[versions]

camerax = "1.5.1"


[libraries]

..

androidx-camera-core = { module = "androidx.camera:camera-core", version.ref = "camerax" }

androidx-camera-compose = { module = "androidx.camera:camera-compose", version.ref = "camerax" }

androidx-camera-view = { module = "androidx.camera:camera-view", version.ref = "camerax" }

androidx-camera-lifecycle = { group = "androidx.camera", name = "camera-lifecycle", version.ref = "camerax" }

androidx-camera-camera2 = { module = "androidx.camera:camera-camera2", version.ref = "camerax" }

androidx-camera-extensions = { module = "androidx.camera:camera-extensions", version.ref = "camerax" }

And then add these to your module build.gradle.kts dependencies:

dependencies {

  ..

  implementation(libs.androidx.camera.core)
  implementation(libs.androidx.camera.lifecycle)

  implementation(libs.androidx.camera.camera2)

  implementation(libs.androidx.camera.view) // for PreviewView 
  implementation(libs.androidx.camera.compose) // for compose UI

  implementation(libs.androidx.camera.extensions) // For Extensions 

}

Have questions or want to connect with the CameraX team? Join the CameraX developer discussion group or file a bug report:

13 Nov 2025 5:00pm GMT

#WeArePlay: Meet the game creators who entertain, inspire and spark imagination

Posted by Robbie McLachlan, Developer Marketing

In our latest #WeArePlay stories, we meet the game creators who entertain, inspire and spark imagination in players around the world on Google Play. From delivering action-packed 3D kart racing to creating a calming, lofi world for plant lovers - here are a few of our favourites:

Ralf and Matt, co-founders of Vector Unit

San Rafael (CA), U.S.

With over 557 million downloads, Ralf and Matt's game, Beach Buggy Racing, brings the joy of classic, action-packed kart racing to gamers worldwide.

After meeting at a California game company back in the late '90s, Matt and Ralf went on to work at major studios. Years later, they reunited to form Vector Unit, a new company where they could finally have full creative freedom. They channeled their passion for classic kart-racers into Beach Buggy Racing, a vibrant 3D title that brought a console-quality feel to phones. The fan reception was immense, with players celebrating by baking cakes and dressing up for in-game events. Today, the team keeps Beach Buggy Racing 2 updated with global collaborations and is already working on a new prototype, all to fulfill their mission: sparking joy.




Camilla, founder of Clover-Fi Games

Batangas, Philippines

Camilla's game, Window Garden, lets players slow down by decorating and caring for digital plants.

While living with her mother during the pandemic, tech graduate Camilla made the leap from software engineer to self-taught game developer. Her mom's indoor plants sparked an idea: Window Garden. She created the lofi idle game to encourage players to slow down. In the game, players water flowers and fruits, and decorate cozy spaces in their own style. With over 1 million downloads to date, this simple loop has become a calming daily ritual since its launch. The game's success earned it a "Best of 2024" award from Google Play, and Camilla now hopes to expand her studio and collaborate with other creatives.


Rodrigo, founder of Kolb Apps

Curitiba, Brazil

Rodrigo's game, Real Drum, puts a complete, realistic-sounding virtual drum set in your pocket, making it easy for anyone to play.

Rodrigo started coding at just 12 years old, creating software for his family's businesses. This technical skill later combined with his hobby as an amateur musician. While pursuing a career in programming, he noticed a clear gap: there were no high-quality percussion apps. He united his two passions, technology and rhythm, to create Real Drum. The result is a realistic, easy-to-use virtual set that has amassed over 437 million downloads, letting people around the world play drums and cymbals without the noise. His game has made learning music accessible to many and inspired new artists. Now, Rodrigo's team plans to launch new apps for children to continue nurturing musical creativity.

Discover other inspiring app and game founders featured in #WeArePlay.

13 Nov 2025 5:00pm GMT

12 Nov 2025

feedAndroid Developers Blog

Android developer verification: Early access starts now as we continue to build with your feedback

Posted by Matthew Forsythe Director - Product Management, Android App Safety


We recently announced new developer verification requirements, which serve as an additional layer of defense in our ongoing effort to keep Android users safe. We know that security works best when it accounts for the diverse ways people use our tools. This is why we announced this change early: to gather input and ensure our solutions are balanced. We appreciate the community's engagement and have heard the early feedback - specifically from students and hobbyists who need an accessible path to learn, and from power users who are more comfortable with security risks. We are making changes to address the needs of both groups.

To understand how these updates fit into our broader mission, it is important to first look at the specific threats we are tackling.

Why verification is important

Keeping users safe on Android is our top priority. Combating scams and digital fraud is not new for us - it has been a central focus of our work for years. From Scam Detection in Google Messages to Google Play Protect and real-time alerts for scam calls, we have consistently acted to keep our ecosystem safe.

However, online scams and malware campaigns are becoming more aggressive. At the global scale of Android, this translates to real harm for people around the world - especially in rapidly digitizing regions where many are coming online for the first time. Technical safeguards are critical, but they cannot solve for every scenario where a user is manipulated. Scammers use high-pressure social engineering tactics to trick users into bypassing the very warnings designed to protect them.

For example, a common attack we track in Southeast Asia illustrates this threat clearly. A scammer calls a victim claiming their bank account is compromised and uses fear and urgency to direct them to sideload a "verification app" to secure their funds, often coaching them to ignore standard security warnings. Once installed, this app - actually malware - intercepts the victim's notifications. When the user logs into their real banking app, the malware captures their two-factor authentication codes, giving the scammer everything they need to drain the account.

While we have advanced safeguards and protections to detect and take down bad apps, without verification, bad actors can spin up new harmful apps instantly. It becomes an endless game of whack-a-mole. Verification changes the math by forcing them to use a real identity to distribute malware, making attacks significantly harder and more costly to scale. We have already seen how effective this is on Google Play, and we are now applying those lessons to the broader Android ecosystem to ensure there is a real, accountable identity behind the software you install.

Supporting students and hobbyists

We heard from developers who were concerned about the barrier to entry when building apps intended only for a small group, like family or friends. We are using your input to shape a dedicated account type for students and hobbyists. This will allow you to distribute your creations to a limited number of devices without going through the full verification requirements.

Empowering experienced users

While security is crucial, we've also heard from developers and power users who have a higher risk tolerance and want the ability to download unverified apps.

Based on this feedback and our ongoing conversations with the community, we are building a new advanced flow that allows experienced users to accept the risks of installing software that isn't verified. We are designing this flow specifically to resist coercion, ensuring that users aren't tricked into bypassing these safety checks while under pressure from a scammer. It will also include clear warnings to ensure users fully understand the risks involved, but ultimately, it puts the choice in their hands. We are gathering early feedback on the design of this feature now and will share more details in the coming months.

Getting started with early access

Today, we're excited to start inviting developers to the early access for developer verification in Android Developer Console for developers that distribute exclusively outside of Play, and will share invites to the Play Console experience soon for Play developers. We are looking forward to your questions and feedback on streamlining the experience for all developers.

Watch our video below for a walkthrough of the new Android Developer Console experience and see our guides for more details and FAQs.

We are committed to working with you to keep the ecosystem safe while getting this right.


12 Nov 2025 11:47pm GMT