Google Keep, the popular free note-taking app, is being elevated to a system app on devices running Android 16, as reported by Android Police. This change positions Google Keep alongside essential system services like the Phone, Contacts, and Play Store apps. Users upgrading to Android 16 Developer Preview 2 will find that Keep is preinstalled and cannot be uninstalled unless they have root access.
This development signals a significant shift in how Google views Keep’s role in the Android ecosystem. Historically, Keep has been treated as an optional productivity tool, but its inclusion as a system app suggests plans for deeper integration and feature enhancements. Earlier this year, Google merged Keep with its Tasks feature and introduced long-overdue updates, indicating renewed attention to the app.
While Google has not officially commented on this move, it raises speculation that Keep might become a central productivity hub on Android 16, potentially integrated with other core features to streamline user workflows. This upgrade could signal the beginning of a more prominent role for Google Keep in the Android experience.