Android 17 Beta 2 adds secure contacts selection and color picker API

Source: 9to5Google

Android 17 Beta 2 has officially been released by Google. Its aim seems to be privacy, as new features like a limited‑access contact picker and an EyeDropper API are bundled in this early Android 17 beta build.

Google is busy with releases, because this new Android 17 Beta 2 build is being released hot on the heels of Gemini’s Nano Banana 2 image generation engine.

New system‑level contacts picker

According to the Android 17 Beta 2 release notes, the system‑level contacts picker will allow apps to access users’ contact lists, but will be roped off from accessing certain contacts based on their data fields.

A new system‑level contacts picker via ACTION_PICK_CONTACTS grants temporary, session‑based read access to only the specific data fields requested by the user, reducing the need for the broad READ_CONTACTS permission. It also allows selections from the device’s personal or work profiles.

Users will see a selection screen listing their contacts. Picking a contact grants the app access to that entry only, and the access is revoked once the session times out or the action is completed.

EyeDropper API

The added EyeDropper API preserves user privacy by collecting display color data without requiring screen‑capture permissions. The function allows apps to request a color from any pixel on the display; no background screen capture occurs.

Both features are packed into Android 17 Beta 2 and are available now. We’re still unpacking Android 17 Beta, so be sure to follow 9to5Google for more news as it becomes available.