What you need to know
- Google is rolling out Android 17 QPR2 Beta 5 to Pixel testers, solving several issues, such as an unexpected reboot problem.
- The company is also fixing another Bluetooth problem; however, this one involves a bug when changing device type.
- Beta 4 at the end of August marked QPR2 entering Platform Stability, meaning we're headed down the final stretch toward launch.
Get your Pixels ready. Google is rolling out another beta for its next quarterly Android 17 update.
The company detailed everything enrolled testers will find on Reddit. If you're looking for the update, you might find one of two build numbers. Google states users with a Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, 7 Pro, 7a, Pixel Fold, or Pixel Tablet will download vCP41.260828.005.A6. If you have any other eligible Pixel device, you will find vCP41.260828.004.A8. The company is fixing a few problems users have reported throughout QPR2's testing.
One fix is coming in for a system instability issue. The patch notes state this fix should solve the "unexpected device reboots during continuous UI scrolling in media-heavy applications." Another fix aims to solve an issue with the Pixel's side buttons for volume control. Users noticed that while casting media, pressing these buttons wouldn't surface the volume slider UI. Google states a fix for this issue is rolling out.
Additionally, enhanced HDR was stuck for several users on the Issue Tracker. Google says its fix should solve the issue of the feature "remaining enabled despite being turned off in user settings."
The remainder of the patch notes is as follows:
- Changing a Bluetooth device type in settings failed to update its icon visually
- Fixed a text-rendering issue that caused unexpected background highlights to appear when typing in search fields, and resolved a navigation routing issue that prevented Private Space from unlocking correctly
- Launching Google Wallet via the power button shortcut caused the touchscreen to become unresponsive
- Camera crashes during panorama processing
- Bluetooth audio experiences noise and distortion after completing or answering a call
The Final Stretch
Beta 5 is fixing up some lingering issues, but it was QPR2 Beta 4 that we were really excited about. The end of August saw Android 17 QPR2 enter the Platform Stability phase. This is a standard milestone for Google's software development. It locks in the OS' APIs, ushering it down the final stretch. We're starting to wrap things up, but there's still work to do—for everyone.
Similarly, Google was fixing quite a few bugs last month. Pixel Bluetooth is apparently still giving it some trouble. In August, Google fixed a Bluetooth call audio issue that saw user calls getting erroneously put through the phone's speaker. Other issues included a broken gesture problem and strange UI freezing.
