What you need to know

• Google announced Android 17 QPR1 Beta 6 is rolling out for enrolled Pixel testers a week after Beta 5 dropped.
• The patch is lighter, focused mostly on fixing issues Pixel testers have been reporting on the Issue Tracker.
• Beta 5 carried a significant number of fixes for Pixel users, such as solutions for vanishing widgets, the Game Dashboard, and more.

The next beta for Android 17's first quarterly update has crossed a major developmental hurdle. Here's everything Pixel testers can expect to find.

Google announced that Android 17 QPR1 Beta 6 is rolling out now for enrolled Pixel users. As vCP31.260618.005 rolls out to Pixel 6 and new phones, Google states Beta 6 means the quarterly update has reached Platform Stability. This is a key milestone, as Google looks to begin preparations for a wider (stable) launch for phones. This latest beta is a bit lighter. Google only appears to have a few bugs it's looking to squash ahead of more testing.

The company states it's rolling out a visual glitch when "rapidly swiping through the media carousel." Google says users experienced this in the Quick Settings layout and settings icons. Another fix rolling in is the result of several reports across three Issue Tracker threads following Beta 5. Pressing the volume buttons was reportedly producing an unintended result in the Clock app.

The remainder of the changelog is as follows:

• Users were unable to select multiple spell checker languages
• An issue in WindowManagerGlobal that resulted in app crashes
• Enabling the Wi-Fi hotspot displayed a generic default SSID instead of the user's saved custom name

The work continues

Beta 6 has stunned Pixel testers. It's only been a week since QPR1 Beta 5 rolled out, and that patch carried a significant number of bug fixes. The last beta rolled out a fix for an Android 17 problem stable Pixel users encountered: vanishing widgets. So, while Google has acknowledged and seemingly already solved this problem, Pixel users still have a while to wait before it hits their phones (unless they're in the beta). On the other hand, Google rolled out fixes for the Game Dashboard, a screen freeze with the Always-On Display, and more.

Android 17 QPR1 hitting Platform Stability early in July probably shouldn't surprise us. Google rolled out Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1 in August last year, shortly after the Pixel 10 launched. Google's been quickening its development process and trying to work through bugs at the same time. There's a chance we'll see something similar take place this year, too.

What you need to know

• Mishaal Rahman, an employee of Google's Community engagement for Android, teased Android 17's upcoming foldable gaming mode.
• This gaming mode would split a foldable's screen during gameplay, featuring the game at the top half and a virtual gamepad below that.
• It's a full gamepad, featuring all the buttons you'd expect from a PlayStation or Nintendo controller, and users will be able to customize it.
• Rahman says this gaming mode is targeting a "platform release in the coming months."

A Google member has posted a generous early look at what's coming up for Android 17 and gaming for foldables.

On the Android Gaming subreddit, Mishaal Rahman, working for the community engagement side of Android at Google, posted a glimpse at Android 17's "foldable gaming mode." Rahman leads off by stating, "While touch controls work incredibly well for many titles, certain games are better enjoyed with physical gamepads." To solve this, Google is working on a gaming mode for these unique phones that splits their screen.

The top half would host your game, leaving the bottom half with a true (touch-based) gamepad experience. Rahman says the gaming portion of the screen will remain "unobstructed." To enable this, Google says users need only unfold their phone before or after launching a compatible game.

Another issue that Google sought to solve was users needing to carry a controller. While Android works well with physical controllers, traveling can be a burden. This foldable gaming mode is focused on games that support physical controllers. Rahman adds that devs don't have to change much for this virtual gamepad to appear; however, split-screen support is where their focus should be.

The gamepads look familiar. If you were to compare it to Xbox or Nintendo controls, you'd feel right at home. Google worked in X, Y, A, and B buttons, alongside L1, L2, R1, and R2. Of course, users will find analog sticks for movement and a D-pad for their arrows. Android 17 will let foldable users customize their virtual gamepad's layout. You can have the sticks together in the middle, more like a PlayStation 5 controller, or staggered, similar to a Nintendo Switch 2 or Xbox controller.

What's more, users will be able to increase or decrease the size of their gamepad. Haptic feedback is another addition, teased as a toggleable option. Some Android games already have haptics. This might be an obscure or off-the-wall reference, but if you've played Pokémon TCG Pocket, you'd know.

Rahman says, "Foldable gaming mode is part of the Android 17 platform release and will be available in the coming months."

Onward, Android 17

Android 17 launched in mid-June after some rapid testing by Google over the past few months. This year's OS upgrade isn't quite as flashy as we've seen before, but it's effective for detecting threats and scams. What's more, the OS brings a few key features, such as Bubbles. This is a new way for users to multitask between apps on their device in a floating menu. While many users with slab phones (think Galaxy S25, Pixel 10) might not see much of a use for it, Bubbles truly targets large-screen devices (foldables).

Rahman teases this foldable gaming mode for a future platform release "in the coming months," and we can't help but look at Android 17's first drop. Right now, Google is engaged in QPR1 Beta 5 after rolling it out to Pixel users last week. The latest beta was pretty large, bringing fixes for vanishing widgets, Game Dashboard, and Pixel cameras.

Android Central's Take

Do I have to say much here? I think we all know that I really like what Google's teased for foldables. I might have to get myself one (pray for my wallet). Gaming on foldables hasn't been bad, but this change would make it better. I can see this useful for games that would truly benefit from a virtual gamepad. Think Wuthering Waves or Zenless Zone Zero. Quick button inputs, rapid movements. A lot of people game on their phones, and making foldables better at that would make them a little more appealing (at least for me).

What you need to know

• Google posted its release notes for Android 17 QPR1 Beta 5, which brings its June security patch and a fix for vanishing widgets.
• The company is also working in several game-related fixes for the Game Dashboard and downloads, alongside a camera fix.
• Android 17 hasn't been flawless for Pixel users, as its stable launch quickly introduced problems for 5G and its display.

Android 17's first quarterly release development continues, and Google has announced another beta shortly after the OS debuted.

On the Android Beta subreddit, Google posted the patch notes for Android 17 QPR1 Beta 5, which is rolling out now to enrolled Pixels. The company says all Pixels are receiving the same build number, labeled as vCP31.260608.007 with June's security patch. These mid-June release notes detail several bug fixes, and one mentions disappearing widgets. Google says Beta 5 brings a fix for an issue that caused home screen widgets to "disappear or become unavailable in the widget picker after a device reboot."

It was reported that Google was looking into a fix for the issue, and it seems that this could occur for its next major update.

Some Pixels suffered from crashing while downloading mobile games in Android 17's QPR1 beta. Google says a fix is rolling out to solve those crashes and "device hang" during download. Another gaming issue concerned Pixels' Game Dashboard. A couple of reports were raised about this, stating they couldn't "stop screen recordings or save files." Beta 5 should solve this, but as always, users can raise any problems through the Issue Tracker.

The remainder of the changelog is as follows:

• An issue where the camera app temporarily freezes or stutters shortly after being opened from an idle state
• An issue that caused the screen to freeze with a pixelated bottom bar when waking the device from Always-On Display
• A timeout issue where the Download Manager failed to complete downloads when excluded from an active VPN connection
• An issue causing inconsistent charging completion time estimates to display on the lock screen versus the charging screensaver
• An issue causing the Private Space UI to crash and locked private apps to improperly appear in launcher search results
• An issue where a non-functional bubble option incorrectly appeared in the context menu of archived apps
• A system-level WebView rendering regression that caused Monopoly Go to freeze and crash when attempting to open mini-games

Android 17 is here, but the work's not done

It's only been a couple of weeks since Beta 4 rolled out for Android 17's first quarterly update. The patch brought May's security update, a few bug fixes, and stability improvements. However, this beta introduced a social media feature that debuted with Android 17's stable release: Screen Reactions. If you were enveloped in Google's massive June Pixel Drop and Android 17 announcements, you'd know all about it.

With Screen Reactions, users can leverage their selfie camera and their screen recordings to simulate a green screen. It sounds like an ideal scenario for content creators on TikTok or those making clips for YouTube Shorts. Android 17 hasn't been flawless in its debut. Pixel users have been quick to report 5G connectivity problems and other display issues.

Android Central's Take

Google's development continues, as we all expected. It's good to see the company working in a fix for a problem stable users are struggling with. Hopefully, this is a good sign for the other issues many have mentioned. We're still a ways out from this first quarterly release, but things look bright for now.

What you need to know

• Android 17 quietly adds LHDC v5 support, giving Pixel users another high-quality Bluetooth audio option.
• Compatible earbuds from brands like Nothing and OnePlus can now stream higher-bitrate audio on Pixels.
• Users may need to manually enable LHDC v5 in Developer Options and turn on Hi-Res Audio in the companion Bluetooth earbuds app.

It's been over a week since Google released the stable Android 17 update, and while the company highlighted most of the major features upfront, users are now starting to discover some smaller additions that quietly shipped with the release.

As spotted by the Reddit user QuantumCatalyzt (via Android Authority), Google appears to have silently added support for the Low Latency High-Definition Audio Codec (LHDC) to Pixel phones with Android 17. This means Pixel users can now take advantage of LHDC for higher-quality wireless audio, alongside existing codecs like AAC.

A lot of wireless earbuds already support LHDC, but Pixel phones previously didn't. That meant users often had to fall back to Sony's LDAC or even lower-quality AAC and SBC codecs, even when using compatible audio hardware.

With Android 17, Pixel users can now use the newer LHDC v5 codec for higher-bitrate audio over Bluetooth. Some Bluetooth earbuds sold in the U.S. that support LHDC include the latest Nothing Ear earphones as well as several earbuds from OnePlus.

It also looks like you might need to manually enable LHDCv5 first. To do that, head to Settings > System > Developer Options > Bluetooth Audio Codec and select LHDCv5. Depending on your earbuds, you may also need to enable a Hi-Res Audio option inside the companion app.

Once everything is set up, you'll also need a high-quality audio source to take advantage of it. For example, services like Apple Music support Hi-Res Lossless audio up to 24-bit/96kHz, allowing compatible earbuds to stream higher-quality audio through LHDC.

Savitech, the company behind LHDC, had previously mentioned that Android 17 would include native support for the codec. With Android 17 now rolling out, that support appears to be live.

For users with compatible premium earbuds, this finally unlocks another option for better-quality wireless audio on Pixel devices.

Android Central's Take

It seems Google has quietly enabled LHDC support by default, and that's a big win for Pixel users. Better audio quality, wider earbud compatibility, and Auracast support make Android 17 a surprisingly solid update for audio lovers.

Google Pixel phones offer many customization tools, but up until recently, the Pixel UI home screen was more restrictive. Google only recently made it possible to remove the At a Glance widget from your home screen, for instance. While past Pixel Drops brought fresh theme packs and style choices, the latest Android 17 update adds a hidden home screen customization option that can seriously simplify your setup.

I keep my home screen basic, only including a few home screen widgets and the most important apps. For everything else, I use the app launcher or search bar. That means I know exactly which apps and icons are on my home screen without needing to look at their names. Finally, Android 17 lets me remove the redundant app names from my home screen for a cleaner look.

Pixel home screen customization just leveled up

The easiest way to change your Pixel home screen is to hold down anywhere on it that isn't covered by an app or widget. This brings up a small menu with the Wallpaper & style, Widgets, Apps list, and Home settings buttons. You can even switch between default wallpapers straight from this tiny menu on the home screen. To customize your phone's look, tap Wallpaper & style.

Here, you'll be able to pick a Theme pack, change your phone's Colors, set a Color contrast settings, manage your Icons, and choose a Layout. This isn't new, but Android 17 adds a setting on the Icons page. Previously, you could choose an app icon Style or change the app icon Shape.

There are five shapes to choose from, and the styles are abundant. You can pick Default or Minimal — the latter forces all your app icons to match your selected color palette, creating a consistent look I almost always prefer. There's also the Create option, which lets you build custom app icon designs by starting with one of six styles: Disco, Scribbles, Cookies, Easel, Treasure, and Stardust.

Android 17 adds a new Names tab to the Icons page, and it's where you can choose to show or hide app names on your home screen.

How I hide app names on my Pixel

I changed the look of my home screen in seconds by hiding app names. To do it, I simply held down on my home screen wallpaper, pressed Wallpaper & style, and tapped Icons. Then, I switched to the Names tab and flipped the toggle beside Show app names to the off position.

There's a virtual render of your home screen displayed on this page that adapts as you change the look of your app icons. So, you can flip the toggle beside Show app names a few times, watching how your home screen changes. If you like the minimalist look of the Pixel home screen without app names, leave the toggle off.

By default, app names are still shown on the Pixel home screen in Android 17. Nothing will change unless you want it to — but the option to remove app names from the Pixel UI home screen is something Pixel fans have long wanted. Keep in mind that if you hide app names from your Pixel home screen, they'll still appear in the app drawer.

My entire home screen is finally as clean as the dock

Android 17 is a neat update for my Pixel phones, and I love that Google continues to add new customization features. The previous app icon customization interface was already one of the best available on any Android skin, but it was missing something basic — hiding app names.

Now, my entire home screen looks as clean as the app dock. No names, just a minimal setup with app icons and widgets.

What you need to know

• Android 17 is causing major touchscreen headaches for some Pixel users, including ignored taps, dead zones, and reversed scrolling across the system.
• Owners of the Pixel 10, Pixel 9, Pixel 8, and Pixel 7 series have all reported similar issues.
• Google is aware of the issue, but its first fix isn't working for everyone. Clearing the Pixel Launcher cache has produced mixed results.

If you've recently upgraded your Pixel to Android 17 and your screen is exhibiting erratic behavior, you're not the only one experiencing this issue. For early adopters, a frustrating new bug is breaking down the very core of the smartphone experience: its touchscreen.

Owners report on Reddit some bizarre input problems, where their phones either simply ignore taps or completely misinterpret basic vertical swipes, as spotted by Android Authority. Swipe up to scroll down your social feed, and your operating system might just catapult you back to the top of the page.

The mess is a consequence of the larger, stable rollout of Android 17. While major OS upgrades usually ship with a few teething problems — reports have already documented a frustrating 5G glitch and a work-profile bug that makes home screen widgets disappear entirely — a broken touchscreen is a whole other kettle of fish. You can get around a Wi-Fi drop with mobile data, but you can’t get around a screen that doesn’t recognize your thumb.

The entire modern Pixel lineup is affected

The issue is already reported in Google's IssueTracker, and based on a few Reddit threads, it affects the whole modern lineup. Users say that the Pixel 10, 9, 8, and 7 series are all affected. The bug doesn't discriminate by app, either; these reversed inputs and dead zones happen anywhere in the system UI.

Google knows about the problem. The official PixelCommunity account on Reddit recently chimed in with a suggested troubleshooting step: go to Settings > Apps > See all apps > Pixel Launcher app > Storage & cache > Clear cache. However, a few users replied that this fix did absolutely nothing to restore normal touch responses.

If Google’s method doesn’t work, some users have found success by heading into their device settings and flipping off the “Smooth Display” feature. Interestingly, at least one owner found that turning Smooth Display off and then on again fixed the erratic scrolling for good. Keep in mind that this fix has a varied success rate, but if you're currently struggling with reversed scroll directions while reading an email, it's definitely worth a try.

Google has not committed to a firm timeline for a permanent software patch right now. If you’re still on last year’s software and haven’t downloaded Android 17 yet, hold off on that install button. Wait for the first official bug-fix update to come out.

Android Central's Take

Honestly, after months of tracking Android 17's development, it's exhausting to see this so-called "stable" release turning premium hardware into a frustrating game of touch-roulette. I guess the one “benefit” to this mess is that Google is kindly forcing us into an impromptu digital detox. After all, it’s very easy to lay your phone down when every swipe up violently slams you back to the top of your feed.

With stable Android 17 finally rolling out to Pixel devices, there are a ton of new features for us to try out. During The Android Show, Google highlighted new social-media-focused features, and now we're finally getting a look at some of them, which aim to enhance your experience creating content for apps like Instagram.

One such feature is screen reactions, a new built-in capability that removes some of the effort that would normally require a third-party app or fancy app techniques. And I admit, for a relatively simple feature, it's quite ingenious, and I'm surprised Google had the wherewithal to launch it with Android 17.

Screen Reactions is a surprisingly effective feature

If you're on Instagram or TikTok, then you've probably seen them. Many of my favorite content creators react to news, images, or other videos by inserting a small floating video of themselves. Reaction videos like this are quite effective, as they let viewers see both the original content and the reaction, and sometimes the reaction is better or funnier than the original.

I'm a casual social media user, but I have dabbled in making Reels every now and then. However, given my limited knowledge of creating social media content, this type of reaction video has always eluded me. And I know there are built-in functions to help create these types of videos, like a virtual green screen, but I've not wanted to take the time to figure it out, though I'm sure it's a fairly easy process.

Now, I don't have to figure it out. Because Screen Reactions is built into the screen record function on my Pixel 10, creating this type of reaction video just takes a few taps, without futzing with different app methods to achieve the same effect. And you can edit the clips on-device or put finishing touches in Instagram or TikTok. It's not perfect, but it feels like it just lowered the barrier to entry for anyone wanting to create content on social media.

How to use Screen Reactions on your Pixel 10

1. Swipe down from the top of your screen to open the Quick Settings menu.

2. Tap the Screen Record button. You may need to edit your Quick Settings menu and add the button if it's not already there.

3. Toggle on Show selfie camera. This will automatically turn on the Record microphone option.

4. Tap the color palette icon to enable a color background. Tap any color to show the background or tap it again to turn it off.

5. Tap Start to begin recording.

6. When you're done, tap the live notification and tap Stop to end recording.

7. You can go straight to recording another clip, delete the clip you just recorded, or edit the clip to your liking using Google Photos editing features.

Once you're done with each clip, you can edit them together in the Google Photos app or use a third-party app such as Instagram and TikTok to add finishing touches.

Things to keep in mind

Screen Reactions is a cool feature, but it's not perfect, and there are some limitations worth noting. The first thing you should know is that it only works when screen recording is set to record the entire screen; it won't work if you just want to record a specific app. That means anything that appears on the screen will be captured in the recording, including when you adjust the volume, open the notification shade, tap the live notification to stop the recording, etc.

It makes sense why it would be the entire screen, as your reaction could very well involve using your phone and diffing into its settings or switching to multiple apps, but it's just something to keep in mind.

My first instinct was to try recording a Screen Reaction on a full-screen Reel to get cleaner video with fewer Instagram UI elements. For some reason, Reels won't appear if you try this method; you'll just see a black screen and your selfie video. TikTok's Clear Display does work, however, so that may be an alternative, or you could just download the Reel or TikTok if that option's available.

Another downside of Screen Reaction recording the entire screen is that you'll also see your screen recording status icon in the notification shade. I don't know about you, but this looks kind of tacky, and I wish there were a way to leave this out of the recording. It's probably the one way Instagram or TikTok's green screen effects are better than the built-in function.

Perhaps an updated version of Screen Record could include an option to hide these extra on-screen elements from the recording, ensuring the video looks as clean as if you recorded it with Instagram or TikTok's tools.

It would also be nice if stopping the recording wasn't a two-step process of taping the live notification at the top of the screen and then the stop button. Google should place a stop or pause button somewhere more accessible so I'm not reaching in front of the selfie camera to stop recording.

Still, despite some quirky and questionable UI choices, I think this is a great feature that takes away much of the complications of making a reaction video for social media. If you have a Pixel smartphone, you should give it a try. I can't wait to see how other OEMs implement this feature when Android 17 rolls out to other Android phones.

Android 17 is bringing a few exciting improvements to Google Pixel phones, and Bubbles may be the biggest one. Pop-up and floating windows are nothing new for Android users, but they've never been built into Pixel UI. Instead, power users had to turn to other operating systems like Samsung's One UI to multitask with floating windows.

Google was already familiar with floating windows and pop-up views because Android already supported Bubbles for messaging apps. Back then, I found them more annoying than helpful. I only activated conversation bubbles by accident and never saw the value in them. After trying the upgraded Bubbles experience for apps and multitasking in Android 17, I'm a believer.

Here's how you can try app bubbles with Android 17 for yourself, and how the Pixel experience compares to the Galaxy one.

App bubbles are a new way to multitask on Pixel

Google Pixel phones already support multitasking with split-screen views. Open an app, use the app switcher, and press the app's name to reveal a Split screen button. Then, Pixel users can pick a second app to create a split-screen layout. They can drag the slider in the middle to adjust the split ratio.

For traditional Android phones, a 50:50 horizontal split is the default, but you can drag the slider to the 90:10 position to unlock a new Android 16 feature. In this mode, one app takes up most of your phone screen, while the secondary app remains greyed out. Tapping the unused, secondary app flips the ratio. It's a great solution for when you want to use two apps in (mostly) full-screen mode without having to use the app switcher.

Android 16 didn't offer a better way to use more than two apps at once, however. Android 17 finally addresses this problem with app bubbles. You can use up to five at once, and it's a convenient way to multitask when the regular split-screen mode won't cut it. Essentially, the apps stay minimized in bubble form, and tapping them reveals a floating window that lets you use the app over whatever is on your screen.

I rarely used split-screen views on my Pixel phones for multitasking, but Bubbles seem much easier to create and are fun to use.

Add up to five apps to an Android 17 bubble group

Bubbles are a core part of the Android 17 experience by default. Surprisingly, you can't create them in the same way you would a split-screen view. Instead, you need to create Bubbles by physically holding down on an app's icon on the home screen or app drawer. Find the app you want to turn into a bubble, and hold down on it to reveal the shortcut menu.

If the app doesn't offer a custom shortcut, you'll see a button with a new icon beside the word Bubble. This icon looks like a window being minimized, with an arrow pointing toward a dot. If the app does have custom shortcuts, you'll only see the Bubble icon — not the text. Either way, tapping the Bubble button in an app's shortcut menu will open your first app bubble.

The floating app window takes up most of the screen, and you'll see all the bubbles in your group above it. If this is your first bubble, you can press the + button to add apps you've recently used in bubble form. To add an app that you haven't recently used as a bubble, find it in the app drawer, open the shortcut menu, and tap the Bubble button.

You can fit up to five in a bubble group and switch between them by tapping each bubble icon. They reorder as you use them, so the most recently used app icons appear first. Tap away from the app bubble, and you'll return to wherever you were before opening the bubble. The bubble or bubble group will appear as a tiny icon on your screen that you can move wherever you'd like.

There are a few ways to close a bubble. If you only want to close one, you can open it, tap the Manage button, and hit Dismiss bubble. To close every bubble in a group, grab the bubble icon and drag it toward the Close button at the bottom of the screen, then release.

Foldable users get a different app bubble experience

If you have a Pixel Fold, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, or Pixel 10 Pro Fold, the Bubbles experience will be different when you open the main display. Here, Bubbles appear as part of the Taskbar. Besides your Taskbar's dock apps and recently used apps, you'll see the Bubbles group in the corner. You can tap the app bubble or group to open the floating window, but it'll still only take up a small portion of just one half of the screen.

The great thing about the way Bubbles work on the inner screen of folding phones is that they stay completely hidden as you use your device. In minimized form, Bubbles — like the rest of the Taskbar — are stowed away as you use other apps. Swiping up from the bottom opens the Taskbar and reveals your Bubbles.

I love Android 17's app bubbles, but there's a catch

Bubbles are a clever way to multitask smarter on your Pixel devices, especially if you have a Pixel Fold device. However, they don't match up perfectly with floating windows and pop-up views on Samsung Galaxy phones.

The One UI 8.5 experience is more powerful, as you can move floating windows anywhere, resize them, or separate them. You can also create floating windows from the app switcher in One UI, whereas you need to go to the home screen or app drawer in Pixel UI.

So, while the Bubbles experience in Android 17 needs work before it can be a true One UI competitor, it's a great step in the right direction for Pixel users.

What you need to know

• Pixel users on the Google Pixel subreddit report 5G connectivity problems shortly after downloading Android 17.
• Users state their device will no longer hold 5G, as their device resorts to LTE; however, some have found relief by placing their phone in Repair Mode and restarting.
• Other Android 17 issues affecting Pixels include vanishing home screen widgets, but Google states it's working on a fix for that.

New software can often come with a handful of issues. Android 17 is no exception, as Pixel users report connectivity problems.

Shortly after Android 17 launched, users on the Google Pixel subreddit reported problems connecting to 5G on various Pixel phones (via Android Authority). The original poster states they downloaded Android 17 on their Pixel 9 Pro and "ever since the update, I'm only ever on LTE." The user states they've always managed to keep a consistent 5G connection on their phone. This update has changed things, and not for the better.

Others have said the same, reporting this issue on a Pixel 10 Pro, 8a, and 6a. LTE is the only phone data connectivity users can manage; however, issues extend beyond connectivity. One user's report says, "After the update my esim disappeared and would not connect to any mobile network." One post says a user lost 5G and 4G connectivity, pushing their phone to lean on its satellite network.

A Google Support member responded to the thread, offering a document that could help the users resolve their 5G connectivity problems. However, the original poster says they found relief through a fellow user's response. The user says they restored their 5G by putting their Pixel 9 Pro in repair mode and restarting.

A bumpy start

Android 17 launched on Tuesday, and Google was quick to begin its rollout to eligible devices. Essentially, it was its Pixels that were first on the list. While the latest OS offers a selection of new features and even stronger security/threat detection capabilities, it hasn't been flawless. Recently, more Pixel users have reported missing widgets after downloading Android 17.

Users said their widgets have vanished, and it's not clear how to get them back. This problem isn't widespread, at least not in these early reports. What's more, it seems confined to phones with a work profile configured. Luckily, Google's been quick with this issue. The company has responded to reports, stating it's working on a fix for a future patch.

Joining Android 17's release was a June Pixel Drop. Among the highlights were "Bubbles" and the "Bubble Bar." The latter matters for Pixel Folds; however, the Bubbles feature in general is about multitasking between apps in a floating menu on your device. Emergency detection features get a sharing upgrade for Pixel Watches, too.

What you need to know

• Some Android 17 users report home screen widgets disappearing after installing the stable update.
• The bug appears limited to devices that have a work profile configured on the phone.
• Google has acknowledged the issue and says a software update with a fix is already in development.

If you're facing an issue where widgets are disappearing from your home screen after updating to Android 17, Google is already aware of the problem and says a fix is on the way.

Google released the stable Android 17 update to the public this week, and Pixel devices have already started receiving it. While the rollout has generally been smooth, shipping a major Android release without a few bugs is never easy. One issue that has surfaced affects home screen widgets for some users.

According to reports, widgets are randomly disappearing after updating to Android 17. Thankfully, the bug appears to be limited to users who have a work profile set up on their phone. If you don't use a work profile, you're unlikely to run into this issue.

The good news is that Google has already acknowledged the bug. Android Community Engagement Manager Mishaal Rahman confirmed on Reddit that the company is "aware of this bug (it seems to affect Work Profile users) and that a fix will be rolled out in a software update soon."

Users affected by the issue say they lost access to their home screen widgets immediately after installing Android 17. Right now, there isn't really a proper workaround available other than removing the work profile entirely.

If you do remove the work profile, restart the phone, and then manually re-add the widgets, they should return. However, if you rely on your work profile, you'll unfortunately have to choose between keeping it enabled or having access to your widgets for the time being.

Google hasn't provided a timeline for the fix yet, but based on the company's usual update schedule, it would not be surprising to see the patch arrive with next month's security update.

Android Central's Take

I didn't even know this bug existed because I don't use a work profile, but widgets are a huge part of what makes Android feel like Android. Thankfully, Google already has a fix in the works.

The last few Android releases have all been about refinement instead of overhaul. We're well past the point where a new version of Android introduces a boatload of new features; instead, Google is all about tightening the security, making Android easier to use across form factors, and delivering a consistent design.

That's the case with Android 17 as well. There's a decent selection of new stuff this time — including a new multitasking mode that actually makes sense — but the overarching theme is around usability; whether you're on a foldable, tablet, in the car, or a regular phone, Google wants to make Android 17 look and feel the same across all your devices.

The stable Android 17 build is now available on eligible Pixels, and it will be rolling out to other manufacturers' devices over the coming months. That's not all; Google is bringing a slate of Gemini Intelligence features to select Pixels and Samsung devices with a mission to turn Android 17 into an "intelligence system," and these features — including Rambler in Gboard, Create My Widget and AI-assisted task automation will be rolling out in a few months. Oh, and there will be another minor Android release coming later in the year.

I'm a long-time Pixel user (I still have the 2016 Pixel), and installed the stable Android 17 build on my Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro XL and Pixel 10 Pro Fold. While the stable build just became available, I've been using the beta releases for months now, so let's dive in and take a look at what Android 17 is all about.

Bubbles makes multitasking easier than ever before

Google introduced chat bubbles in Android 11, but it never really made much sense to use it — at least on my devices. With Android 17, Google is taking that idea and making it so that bubbles aren't just limited to messaging apps, but can be used throughout the system.

When you launch an app as a bubble, it exists as a floating window, and you can interact with it while using other apps. Most other manufacturer skins had floating windows for a while now, so the feature itself isn't anything new — it's just coming to Pixels with Android 17.

Let's say you're watching a game and want to chat with your friends; you can just launch the messaging app as a bubble, and interact with it as needed while still letting the game run. It is different to split-screen multitasking in that the second app isn't taking up any valuable screen space — you only pull it up when you need it, and I like this implementation a lot.

In my use, I found having Home Assistant or Google Home as a floating window quite convenient, as it allowed me to access smart home controls while browsing in Chrome or watching a video. The floating window is even more useful on foldables, where you see a bubble bar on the bottom right corner, with all active floating windows pinned there.

While the feature is definitely useful, a big limitation is that you can't launch an app as a bubble from the recents menu. That would have made the feature much easier to enable; right now, you'll need to long press an app icon, and select Bubble to launch it as a floating window. The other big limitation is that it may not come to third-party launchers, so its usability will be limited if you're not using the Pixel Launcher.

Foldables get some extra attention in Android 17

Foldables continue to get useful updates, and Android 17 has a new feature I'm very excited about. Google is rolling out a foldable-focused gaming mode with an optimized 50/50 layout — you basically get the game running on one half of the screen, and a gamepad below. Google also says it made high-end games run better on foldables by reducing jitter. The only annoyance is that this feature isn't available at launch; it's due to be roll out over the coming months, so if you're using the Pixel 9 Pro Fold or 10 Pro Fold, you'll need to wait a little longer.

Another welcome addition is native controller remapping, which is coming to all phones. If you use a game controller with your phone or foldable, you'll be able to easily customize the button layout and tweak the configuration to your liking.

Customize your Pixel the way you want

As with every new version, Android 17 brings a set of customization options and minor tweaks to the interface. The feature I like the most is the ability to hide app labels on the home screen; this creates a cleaner look, and makes things look just that little bit tidier (sidebar: this is what Xiaomi should have done instead of hiding labels on quick settings tiles).

Another change is around the Expanded Dark Theme; you now get the ability to disable the mode on an individual per-app basis, so if you're using the expanded dark mode but an app isn't showing content correctly (looking at you, Amazon), you can disable it only for the app, which reverts to the usual dark mode.

Google is also expanding the background blur effect that debuted with Material 3 Expressive to other parts of the interface, like the widgets picker. I like the blur effects, but I get that not everyone is a fan of the new design; thankfully, you can disable it by going to Accessibility -> Color and motion.

There's a minor change to the quick settings page; the Wi-Fi and mobile data toggles are separate, and this time, I'm crossing my fingers that Google doesn't mess with these toggles again. Android 17 also brings granular media control, with a dedicated slider for controlling the digital assistant volume.

Screen recording is getting an update in Android 17 with Screen Reactions. You get the ability to record your screen and add yourself as an overlay by taking a video with the selfie camera, and the idea is to make it easier to record reaction videos. The feature is available in the U.S., and Google notes it will be rolling out to other regions in the coming months.

Android 17 is getting sensible parental controls

Google isn't doing quite as much as Apple when it comes to parental controls, but Android 17 is a step in the right direction. You now get parental controls in the settings, and you can set daily limits for your child, downtime schedules, individual app limits, Google Play filters with age rating, and easier access to Family Link controls. Thankfully, these features are available right now, so if you've got children and need to set up usage limits, you can do so on your Pixel straight away.

Android 17 has meaningful security updates

Google is making Theft Detection Lock and Remote Lock enabled by default when you set up a phone running Android 17. These were opt-in, and considering where they're located in the settings, there's a good chance that most users don't even know they exist, so this is a positive move.

Find Hub’s Mark as lost feature now gets biometric authentication, so if you lose your phone and the thieves have your passcode, they won't be able to turn off device tracking. When you mark your phone as lost, it will prevent access to Quick Settings and disable new Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections.

Android 17 gets a new Contact Picker that lets you only share specific contacts to share instead of your entire address book. Location access is getting better too with a new Location Button; if an app just needs location access once, it will instead need to use a system-rendered button that ensures the access is valid only in that session — once you close the app, it won't have access. Best of all, if a non-system app is using your location, you'll see an indicator in the status bar, similar to how it works with camera and mic access.

We're getting a consistent UX on all devices

Google's software isn't just on phones — it's on wearables, tablets, TVs, automobiles, notebooks, and is coming soon to XR headsets. At The Android Show 2026, Google highlighted how it's bringing a consistent UX to all devices in its ecosystem, and Android 17 provides the foundation for the same.

In Android 17, apps automatically adapt to any screen size, and this allows content to be immersive on any device you're using. The idea is to prevent letterboxing (black bars around the sides) and deliver the same consistent interface on all devices.

There's also unified widgets with better scaling on all screen sizes, and a Picture-in-Picture mode that lets you interact with the pinned windows. This is primarily designed for use on desktops, and we should be seeing just how it works over the comin months.

Google has a new feature called Continue On that brings "cross-device continuity." The idea is that if you're browsing a Chrome tab on your phone, you can easily continue the same tab on a tablet. The feature isn't live yet, and Google notes that it is prioritizing mobile-to-tablet transitions in the beginning. I'm intrigued to see how it works in day-to-day use, but I'll need to wait until I can use it on a tablet that's updated to Android 17.

There's much more to talk about Android 17

As is the case with every new version of Android, a lot of the features in Android 17 aren't available today. So if you've installed the stable build on your Pixel, you won't find any major changes other than the ability to use bubbles with all apps. Things like Pause Point and Create My Widget are the Android 17 features I wanted to try out the most, but they're coming later in the year.

Also, Android 17-based One UI, ColorOS, and OriginOS will look very different to what Google is offering on Pixels, and that's again a good thing; Android is all about choice, and you have the freedom to use which version of the OS you prefer. Of course, there's an interminable delay before you can use the latest Android version on your phone, and I have a post detailing if your phone will get Android 17.

Most manufacturer interfaces have distinct features — some of which (like floating windows) are rolling out to Pixels just now — and a UI that's quite different to what you get on recent Pixels. There's no telling when (or if) these Android 17 features will make their way to the broader ecosystem of devices. I'll have dedicated posts talking about what the Android 17 update has to offer on third-party phones, but for now, if you're using a Pixel, know that the best features in Android 17 (and whatever's going on with Gemini Intelligence) are yet to come.

What you need to know

• Paul Dunlop, Google's product lead for Android Onboarding and Android Settings, discussed major upgrades to Android 17's tool for switching from iPhone.
• The Android Switch tool now supports "more data than ever," capable of capturing an iPhone's messages (group chats included), files, passwords, passkeys, and more.
• Dunlop states this is rolling out for a "small percentage of Android 17 devices" today (June 17).
• Android 17 debuted a day ago, bringing strong security and threat detection software and several new features.

Google is coming off the back of Android 17's launch, and now the company is talking about a feature that's headed to the software today (June 17).

Early this morning, Paul Dunlop, Google's product lead for Android Onboarding and Android Settings, posted on Threads about the upgraded version of "Android Switch" (via 9to5Google). As Dunlop states, this update to Android Switch rebuilds it "from the ground up," putting a new spin on the iOS to Android tool. Out of the gate, Dunlop says this tool is completely wireless. Users can transfer data from their iPhone to a new Android over WiFi; however, if you'd prefer to use a wire, you still can.

What's more, their post states Android Switch now supports "more data than ever" when transferring. Google has improved the types of data it already supports, but Dunlops adds, "Out of the box, you can now seamlessly migrate passwords, passkeys, WiFi credentials, and your alarms." Users can even transfer all of their text messages (group chats, too) from their iPhone. This reportedly includes SMS, MMS, and RCS chats from iMessage.

Other data includes files/folders, calendar attachments, and call history.

To keep the experience from feeling too jarring or tedious, Dunlop says Android Switch in OS 17 transfers your iPhone's home screen. Your app layouts, wallpapers, and more will be automatically applied to your Android. What's more, Google is even taking "key accessibility settings" from your old phone to your new one.

Make the switch

Android 17's upgraded switch experience will transfer an iPhone's Google account and the device's eSIM "during initial setup." While this might seem enticing to users, Dunlop says the rollout will remain cautious for now. Android Switch's update is rolling out today (June 17) for a "small percentage of Android 17 devices," which likely only concerns Pixel phones for now.

June 16 was huge for Google, as the company announced Android 17 was finally here. The latest OS started rolling out on Pixel 6 and newer phones. Some of the update's hallmarks are its upgraded security and threat detection, as well as a strong "Mark as Lost" mode. Joining Android 17 in the limelight was the June Pixel Drop, which brings a whole bunch of new features to Google's series.

Screen reactions are the newest way to react to content online. Google says this will merge your selfie camera with a screen recording, simulating a green screen. "Bubbles" is a new way to multitask in Android 17 for Pixels. Users can quickly swap between their apps in a floating menu on their homescreen. Additionally, Pixel Folds are receiving a "Bubble Bar" that plays off this feature from regular slab phones.

Android Central's Take

There's always competition in the phone space, and having a tool that makes switching easy? That's a smart move. Android Switch isn't a new feature, as Paul Dunlop said. It's always been there for iPhone users looking to switch. This even works for Android to Android. What's new are these upgrades to make it even easier and painless. No one wants to do extra work swapping devices. It's already a daunting experience. Maybe this will make it more attractive to swap over.

Signing up for the Android Beta for Pixel program can be really exciting. You get to test out new features that aren't publicly available yet, and Google uses your feedback to make meaningful changes before the public rollout.

The Android Beta has plenty of downsides. You may encounter glitches, errors, or hangs. Some users have even reported data loss in the past. Once you start experiencing such problems, it is reason enough to want to leave the Android Beta program.

I had signed up for beta testing on my Pixel 10 Pro, and my phone started glitching out like crazy over the last few weeks. Tired of my phone hanging up while switching apps, I decided that I want to leave the Android Beta for Pixel program. Unfortunately, the most direct pathway leads to complete erasure of your device data.

Eventually, I found a way to exit it without losing my data. If you want to avoid that as well, here's how you can exit the Android Beta for Pixel program without losing all your data.

Exiting the Android Beta for Pixel program (with and without data wipe)

Not sure if you're running the Android Beta program on your Pixel? There's a really quick way to check. Go www.google.com/android/beta and check which of your Android devices are opted in for the program.

To exit the program, select the Opt out button for your phone. Normally, these are the steps you would then follow to remove the beta software from your phone, but all your data is erased.

1. First, start by opening the Settings menu on your Google Pixel phone.

2. Navigate to the System option and tap it.

3. Select the Software updates option.

4. Click on the Install button for Android Beta Exit with Data Wipe.

However, how do you avoid doing that? The answer is quite simple!

Google has very clearly mentioned on the Android Beta program website what to do if you want to avoid a total data wipe. Go to www.google.com/android/beta and opt out.

But after that, do not install the Android Beta Exit with Data Wipe update.

Wait until the next stable release for the version you’re beta testing (in this case, Android 17) is pushed to your phone. Once you've installed it, you will have exited the beta program without losing any user data.

I found out the hard way that you should think twice before signing up for beta testing

Curiosity killed the cat, as the saying goes. If you're intrigued by the Android Beta program, think very carefully before signing up. You don't know when the next stable build of the Android version you're testing will see the light of day.

Although Google has a standard official platform release followed by what's called Quarterly Platform Releases, or QPRs, your timing might be off, or your region might take some time to get the public rollout. If your phone glitches badly during that interim period, there's no going back or fixing the issue.

Currently, Google is rolling out stable Android 17 and beta testing Android 17 QPR1. Testers enrolled in the Android Beta program normally face many issues, which are usually addressed in x.1 beta updates.

I had signed up for the Android 17 QPR1 beta a couple of months ago and didn't think much of it. Little did I realize that my phone would be crashing out, hanging up, and freezing apps randomly as the weeks progressed. It was only when I opted out of the beta testing program that I read the fine print: I'd have to undergo a complete data wipe.

I was essentially stuck until the Android 17 stable release started rolling out to my Pixel. Please don't make the same mistake as me!

What you need to know

• Android 17 is now rolling out to Pixel 6 and newer devices after months of beta testing.
• App Bubbles let you keep full apps in floating windows for faster multitasking on large-screen devices.
• Screen Reactions can record your selfie camera and screen together without needing extra editing apps.
• Android 17 adds stronger security with improved threat detection and a more powerful Mark as Lost mode.

After months of testing, Google has finally released the stable Android 17 update today.

Google has been testing Android 17 for more than three months now, and after numerous beta releases, the company has finally pushed the stable version to Pixel devices.

Android 17 isn't a massive redesign of Android. Instead, Google says the update focuses on improving productivity, entertainment, security, and safety across devices.

Which phones are getting Android 17 today?

Google says eligible Pixel devices will start receiving Android 17 beginning today, with the rollout continuing across supported devices throughout 2026. As for compatibility, Android 17 is available for all Pixel phones starting from the Pixel 6 series and newer.

If you don't see the OTA update yet, don't worry. Google is rolling it out in phases, so it should appear on your device soon. You can manually check Android 17 update on your Pixel smartphone by going to Settings > System > System update.

Now that Android 17 is officially out, we can also expect companies like Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Honor, and others to begin rolling out their own Android 17-based updates in the coming months.

What are the new features in Android 17?

One of the headline additions is a new multitasking feature called App Bubbles. Similar to how Facebook Messenger used chat heads years ago, Android 17 now lets you keep entire apps inside floating windows.

These apps live inside movable bubbles, allowing you to quickly jump in and out of them without fully switching apps. On larger-screen devices, such as foldable phones and tablets, these bubbles sit inside a dedicated bubble bar and float on top of other apps when needed.

This is especially useful when you're frequently switching between apps that both need full-screen space but still want quick access to the other one.

Google is also introducing Screen Reactions, a feature it first showed off during The Android Show. This lets users record their screen and selfie camera simultaneously, making it much easier to create reaction videos without needing a green screen or separate editing software.

Android 17 also improves gaming on foldable devices. Supported games can now use a dedicated 50/50 layout, with gameplay on the top half of the screen and dynamic gamepad-style controls on the bottom half.

There are also several new safety and security improvements. For example, apps can now request temporary location access for one-time use.

Google has also upgraded the Mark as Lost feature inside Find Hub, allowing users to lock a lost device behind biometric authentication for an additional layer of protection. That means even if someone knows your PIN, they still won't be able to access the phone without your fingerprint or face authentication.

Google is also improving Live Threat Detection, helping identify and block suspicious apps and behavior more effectively. Android 17 additionally lets users adjust PIN retry protections, including limiting the number of guesses allowed and increasing wait times between failed attempts.

Alongside Android 17, Google has also announced the rollout of Wear OS 7 starting today, as well as several other features that will arrive on your Android devices with June's Feature Drop.

What's your favorite Android 17 feature so far? For me, App Bubbles and one-time location access are easily two of the additions I've been looking forward to the most.

What you need to know

• Android 17 QPR1 Beta 4 adds Screen Reactions, letting you record your screen and selfie camera together.
• The new feature overlays your face on screen recordings, making reaction videos easier to create.
• The update also includes the May 2026 security patch, bug fixes, and stability improvements.

Google has released the latest Android 17 QPR1 beta, and it finally includes one of the creator-focused features the company first showcased during The Android Show last month.

At The Android Show, Google highlighted several features coming to Android 17, many of them aimed at creators. These included better Instagram integration for higher-quality uploads, exclusive Edits app features, and even the arrival of Adobe Premiere on Android.

Another feature Google previewed was a new way to make reaction videos directly on Android, and that feature has now arrived with Android 17 QPR1 Beta 4.

As Google demonstrated last month, the feature makes it much easier to create reaction-style videos without relying on multiple editing apps or green screen effects. It allows users to record themselves and their screen at the same time, automatically overlaying their face on top of whatever content they're reacting to.

The feature is built directly into Android's native screen recorder. When starting a screen recording, users will now see a new option called "Show selfie camera." Once enabled, Android places a cutout of your face over the screen recording.

There is one limitation, though. The feature only works when recording the entire screen. If you're using Android's single-app recording mode, the selfie camera option won't be available.

Google also lets users customize the look of the reaction video by adding a colored background behind the selfie camera feed. Available color options include black, purple, red, blue, green, and orange.

Beyond the new creator feature, Android 17 QPR1 Beta 4 also includes the May 2026 security patch along with a number of bug fixes and stability improvements. The build carries version number CP31.260522.006.

If you want to try Android 17 QPR1 Beta 4 yourself, you'll need a Pixel device enrolled in the Android Beta Program. Google has already started rolling out the update over the air, although users can also sideload the update or manually flash the factory image if they prefer.

It's that time of the year again. Apple executives took to the stage to announce some new features and additions coming to the iPhone with the upcoming iOS 27 update. While Apple mostly focused on refining the fundamentals (read: fixing what it broke), the company also introduced a handful of useful additions that make iOS 27 feel like more than just a maintenance update.

Sure, Google fixed a few of our annoyances with the Android 17 update by adding features like updated emojis and the ability to create widgets just by describing them. But Apple still came up with a few great ideas this year, including some AI features (an area where Google usually loves reminding everyone it's ahead).

And after watching the iOS 27 announcements, there are a few features that I genuinely wish Google would steal and bring to Android.

Android needs to take parental controls more seriously

Apple spent a big chunk of the WWDC keynote focusing on the new and improved parental controls coming with iOS 27. And as someone who's soon going to enter the parenting stage myself, I can absolutely see why Android users would want some of these features on their phones as well.

Apple has added a number of thoughtful parental control improvements in iOS 27. It's no longer just about restricting app downloads based on age ratings, but the company is going much further this time.

One of the biggest additions is Time Allowances, which lets parents set limits for specific app categories rather than individual apps. For example, you can decide how much time your child can spend on entertainment apps versus educational apps.

There are also more granular controls throughout the system. If a child visits a website they've never accessed before, parents can approve it directly from their own device before access is granted. Apple has also expanded its communication safety tools.

In addition to automatically blurring nudity, iOS 27 can now detect and blur graphic or violent content in shared images and videos as well.

Google Family Link lacks most of these capabilities, and it feels like it's time for Google to give its parental controls a much-needed upgrade.

It's time to bring Shortcuts-like automation to Android

As advanced as Android has become when it comes to AI and automation, it still doesn't have a true equivalent to Apple's Shortcuts app. Google offers Pixel Rules, but it's fairly limited in what it can do.

Samsung is really the only Android brand offering something close to it with its Modes and Routines feature, but that's Samsung-exclusive and not available across Android as a whole.

Google really needs to bring a native automation app like this to Android. With iOS 27, Apple has made creating shortcuts and automations even easier. For creating Shortcuts, users no longer need to dig through complex menus. Instead, they can simply describe what they want using natural language, and the system builds the automation using AI.

With Google pushing Gemini so aggressively across Android, it feels like the perfect time for the company to build a similar app. Android already has the AI capabilities; it just needs a proper, system-level automation app to tie everything together.

Siri mode in the Camera app

This is something I've been asking for on Android for years. We're in 2026, and there are still Android phones that don't even support basic things like native QR code recognition directly through the camera app. Meanwhile, Apple has gone much further by integrating Siri Mode directly into the camera experience.

With Siri Mode, you can simply point your iPhone at something and take action immediately. Point it at a plate of food, and it can identify nutritional information. Point it at a restaurant bill, and it can help split it. You can even point it at a flyer or poster and have it automatically create a calendar event with the relevant details.

What I really like is that all of this is built directly into the camera app. It's not that Android lacks these capabilities. In fact, most of them already exist, and Google Lens is available in the camera app on many Android phones. The problem is that these features remain fragmented across apps and services.

Google can already recognize objects and information through AI, but you often need to launch Gemini Live, which is actually tucked into Google Lens. Similarly, Google Lens can identify all sorts of things, but that often requires opening the app. If Google forces Gemini mode directly into the camera app across all Android devices, it would make the overall experience feel much more cohesive and useful. Perhaps that means evolving Google Lens.

Spatial reframing

Google already offers Auto Reframe on Pixel phones, which can help change the frame of the shot you've already taken. But Apple is taking things a step further with a new feature called Spatial Reframing in iOS 27.

What makes Spatial Reframing interesting is that it doesn't just let you extend the frame using generative AI. It can actually change the perspective of a photo after it has been captured. In addition to changing the frame in 2D, you can shift the whole camera angle and then have AI generate and fill in the missing parts of the image to match the new framing.

It's a much more ambitious take on photo editing than simply expanding the edges of a picture, and something, I think, a lot of Android users and especially Google Photos users would benefit from.

Google killed Pixel Studio at the worst possible time

The timing couldn't be more ironic for this one. It's only been a few days since Google officially killed off the Pixel Studio app on Pixel devices, while Apple has gone in the opposite direction by introducing a significantly upgraded Image Playground app in iOS 27.

The previous version of Image Playground was mostly limited to generating emojis and cartoon-style images, but the new version goes much further. Apple now allows users to generate more realistic and genuinely useful images through its Private Cloud Compute infrastructure.

Like most modern AI image generators, you can choose the style you want, whether that's realistic, cartoon-like, artistic, or something else entirely. But what I really like is that Apple is thinking beyond just image generation itself.

You can tell the app exactly where the image will be used. For example, whether you want a landscape image, a portrait image, or even a wallpaper, it will optimize the output accordingly.

That might sound like a small thing, but it's exactly the kind of detail that turns AI image generation from a gimmick into a genuinely useful tool.

You've probably seen the news stories about someone walking along, talking on their phone, when it's suddenly swiped from their hands by a thief on a full-tilt run. Assuming you can quickly access a computer or another device that is signed into your Google account, it's pretty easy to lock the device and track its location, but what happens during that valuable time between the time the phone is swiped and when it's locked? Probably nothing good.

That's why Google invented Android Advanced Protection, a suite of automated tools designed to keep your phone safe no matter whose hands it ends up in. Google began testing this feature with Android 16 beta releases in the Summer of 2025 and released the tools to all Android 16-powered phones early in 2026.

Advanced Protection packs in tons of great features that'll keep you protected every day, from preventing memory bugs and malware, to blocking insecure network connections and websites, and even the aforementioned physical theft prevention. But, if all those things don't matter too much to you, Theft Protection is still one separate feature you'll want to enable ASAP.

What is Android theft protection?

Android theft protection is a component of Google's wider Advanced Protection suite and has deep hooks into Android 16 (and beyond). It was initially a Pixel-exclusive feature, but as with most of these types of features, it made its way to other Android phones before long. The wider Advanced Protection suite covers:

• Device safety: Automatically locks when physical theft is detected, the device goes offline, automatically reboots the phone if it's been sitting unlocked for 3 consecutive days, and blocks USB connections when the phone is locked.
• Apps: Forces Google Play Protect scanning for all installed apps and blocks installation of apps from unknown sources.
• Networks and web: Disables connection to 2G networks (which can be easily spoofed), enables Live Protection for websites, blocks harmful websites and warns against insecure websites, and disables some JavaScript actions to reduce risk.
• Spam protection: Enables spam protection in the Google Phone and Google Messages apps, automatically filters spam calls and messages, and blocks suspicious links in messages.

Advanced Protection and theft detection are available on all phones that use the full Google Services Suite. If you bought an Android phone from all the most common companies — Samsung, Google, OnePlus, Motorola, Honor, Nothing, and most other global models — it should be available for you.

Phones that ship with a limited Google services suite, like the Fairphone 6, aren't eligible even though they're running Android 16 or later. This is because they don't allow trackers and other components of the Google Play suite that are needed for these services to function.

How to enable Android theft protection

Android Theft Protection can be enabled separately from the Advanced Protection suite and is conveniently found in the device lock section of your phone's settings. You'll have to toggle a few options to ensure it's fully working, but it's a quick setup that takes about a minute.

First, you'll want to enable Identity Check, which helps your phone ensure that you are in possession of your phone and not someone else. Each category provides a more secure authentication and should help prevent data theft.

1. Open system settings by tapping the settings icon in your app drawer, or by swiping down on the status bar and tapping the gear icon.

2. Scroll down to and tap Security & privacy.

3. Select Device unlock from the list.

4. Tap on Theft protection.

5. Select Identity check.

6. Click through each of the available sections to complete them.

7. Once all sections are completed, you can tap the toggle next to Use identity check to enable it.

Now that identity check is enabled, you can navigate back to the theft protection section and complete the rest of the steps:

1. Enable both Theft Detection Lock and Offline Device Lock by tapping the toggle next to each entry.

2. Tap on the Remote Lock section.

3. Tap the toggle next to Use remote lock to enable the feature.

4. Navigate back to the theft protection section, then tap on Find & erase your device.

5. When the Find Hub section appears, tap the toggle next to Allow device to be located to enable the feature.

Now that the full theft protection suite is enabled, you can rest assured that your data is safe even if your phone is stolen. In the tragic event of this happening, you can open the Google Find Hub website on any computer, sign in with your Google account, and then select your phone from the list. From there, you can locate your phone, remotely wipe it, and more. Google also makes a dedicated Android app, if that's more convenient.

Upgrading to the full Advanced Protection suite

Theft Protection is a great start to ensuring your phone is secure, but Advanced Protection will provide even greater safety measures for everyday life. The best part is that you don't have to enable a bunch of different settings to get this done. It's a one-and-done setting, and it's quick to find:

1. Open system settings by tapping the settings icon in your app drawer, or by swiping down on the status bar and tapping the gear icon.

2. Scroll down to and tap Security & privacy.

3. Scroll down to the bottom and tap Advanced Protection in the Other settings category.

4. Select the toggle next to Device protection to enable it.

5. When the information dialog appears, tap the Turn On button to enable Advanced Protection.

6. If prompted, tap the restart button to reboot your phone.

The Advanced Protection suite will automatically enable theft protection, if you didn't previously enable it. You actually cannot disable theft protection if the Advanced Protection suite is enabled, ensuring that this key feature can't accidentally be turned off.

What are the downsides?

Bulking up security always has some downside, but most users likely won't notice anything in their daily phone use. When potential theft is detected, the Android OS will automatically lock your phone to help prevent a thief from accessing your data. If it somehow identifies this erroneously, all you have to do is unlock the phone, which likely isn't any different from your normal phone use.

Google intentionally designed the rest of the Android Advanced Protection suite to be a "low-friction" experience, as well, so the other major features of the platform should also be just as transparent as the anti-theft one.

Some users might find Advanced Protection a little too restrictive, but it largely depends on how you use your phone. If you install all your apps from the Google Play Store, you shouldn't run into any software issues at all. If you're someone like me who occasionally sideloads APKs for development testing, or if you have a specific set of sideloaded apps you normally use, Advanced Protection won't let you run them.

There's always a slight possibility that a proactive feature like this could drain your battery a bit more, but I've never seen evidence of this on my devices. All in all, Advanced Protection with anti-theft detection is a great feature that provides you with substantial security upgrades with nearly zero change in your daily smartphone routines.

What you need to know

• Google's rolling out a Android 17 Beta 4.1, which focuses on solving issues regarding hearing aids and the status bar.
• The patch notes drew attention to several other Android makers who have phones supported in the Android 17 beta, such as Honor, Xiaomi, and Vivo.
• Google is moving fast, testing its software's first major quarterly release alongside the main beta.

While the scheduled releases for Android 17's beta have already rolled out, Google is bringing another iterative update to solve a few lingering issues.

Google posted the changelog for Android 17 Beta 4.1 on Reddit, which is rolling out for the Pixel 6 up to the Pixel 10 and the Pixel Tablet. Users should be aware that Beta 4.1 bears two firmware numbers. Enrolled testers with a Pixel 6, 6 Pro, 6a, Pixel 7, and 7 Pro will receive CP21.260330.011.A1. All other devices will find CP21.260330.011. Google is likely working on fixing up a few issues that have cropped up during its testing before Android 17 debuts officially.

Google is rolling out a fix for the status bar. It's been identified that it would "incorrectly display zero signal bars despite active connectivity." Another fix is rolling out for Android 17's accessibility. The patch notes state an issue has been fixed that caused hearing aids "to be automatically forgotten from paired devices after inactivity or charging."

The remainder of the patch notes is as follows:

• A UI synchronization issue where the mobile data Quick Settings icon remained active during Airplane mode
• An issue where external displays would go black when selecting high resolutions
• A Bluetooth audio routing issue that caused playback silence after system interruptions like timers

A bit of house cleaning

Google also highlights that users with other Android phones from different makers can get in on the Android 17 beta, too. It states phones from Honor, iQOO, Lenovo, OnePlus, OPPO, Realme, Sharp, Vivo, and Xiaomi are eligible. If you're interested (and if you have a supported device), you can follow Google's instructions for how to get started.

We've been experimenting with Google's last scheduled beta for its Android 17 cycle since April. The company's focus was stability, ahead of what should be a mid-2026 launch for Android 17. App memory limits to reduce excess RAM usage were introduced, alongside improved performance and battery life for phones. Developers were also encouraged to begin optimizing their apps for Android 17 in preparation for its stable release.

Google also isn't wasting much time. Android 17's first QPR is in testing, as Beta 3 rolled out for users late in May. Bug fixes were its focus, but Android moved closer to a frosted-glass design in this beta.

Android Central's Take

Google's been on a tear with Android 17 this year, wasting no time rolling out betas and even testing its first quarterly patch. While we're expecting it to drop in mid-2026, there's s chance we might see things line up with the Pixel 10 series.

What you need to know

• Android's rolling out its big June Drop today, and the two main focuses are on safety.
• The Phone by Google app picks up "Fake Call Detection," which works to fight against scammers posing as contacts you know.
• Kids 13 and under will receive Personal Safety app features, such as displaying their medical information and emergency contacts on the lock screen.
• Google is also expanding its Quick Share/AirDrop support to more Android phones.

Safety is the name of the game for Google's Android update rolling out to devices, but there's an additional expansion that involves iPhones.

This afternoon (Jun 2), Google detailed what's going on with its June Android Drop, such as extra call protections for users. Today, the company introduced "Fake Call Detection." Users can most likely put this in the same space as Android's other spam/scam calling protections. Google states its Phone app will "verify if a call is actually coming from a contact's device."

This is particularly useful for scammers pretending to call from a number you're familiar with. A call will appear on your device as your parent or close friend; however, after Android verifies the number, it will either stay quiet or warn you to steer clear. According to the press release, Fake Call Detection starts working once the call is answered. A bright red alert will appear on the call screen, stating "This may not be" who you think it is.

Users are encouraged to hang up before anything malicious happens. Fake Call Detection is rolling out for the Phone by Google app on devices with Android 12 or higher.

Callers aren't the only ones receiving better protections this month. Google also announced access to features in the Personal Safety app for kids.

For kids under 13, Google states they can add any medical information and set emergency contacts to be displayed on their lock screen. What's more, Android Car Crash detection can be enabled for kids, which will automatically call emergency services and text any added emergency contacts. This Android Drop will enable real-time location sharing with emergency contacts and Safety Check. Google reiterates that the Personal Safety app is available globally, and that these safety features for kids are "coming soon."

Quick shares for AirDrop expands

Android and iOS have inched ever closer together over the past few months. From RCS messaging (encryption for texts as well) to file sharing, it feels like we've been covering a lot on both. Quick Share and AirDrop have been the latest hot topic, and Google says it's looking to expand its support to even more Android phones this month. Without an internet connection, users can share photos, videos, and documents from their Android phone to an iOS device.

Google states this capability is arriving for more Android phones here in June. Once this arrives, users can check to see if they have this capability. While the June Android Drop has been announced today, it might take a while before we all have everything detailed in this post.

Late last year, Google made the big announcement that its latest phones, the Pixel 10 series, feature support for file sharing between Quick Share and AirDrop. Users need to make sure their devices are set to accept "Everyone for 10 minutes" before files can be sent/received. Google said it would look to include more Android phones later, and that started in February for the Pixel 9 series. An even wider rollout for Samsung phones and Nothing phones was mentioned, too.

We're expecting this on the Galaxy S26 first.

Android Central's Take

The Quick Share expansion for AirDrop is a pretty expected update. Google didn't detail every device that's receiving this expanded support, but hopefully it's extensive. The safety protections for kids is especially timely on Google's part. We're right at the start of June, which means school is letting out soon. This should help give parents some peace of mind if their child is out with others for the day.

What you need to know

• Google’s June Android Drop focuses on personalization and AI-powered convenience, bringing smarter tools directly to compatible Android devices.
• Circle to Search can now identify and shop an entire outfit at once, eliminating the need to search for clothing items individually.
• Google Photos is getting a digital wardrobe that automatically organizes clothing from your photo library into a searchable collection.
• Google Play Books is adding AI-powered Book Insights, including reading recaps and contextual Q&A tools that work without leaving the app.

Google isn’t waiting for Android 17 to introduce new experiences. The new features, available with the latest June Android Drop, make Android devices more useful in everyday situations, especially when it comes to shopping, styling your outfits, reading books, and expressing yourself online.

Android Drops are Google’s answer to getting meaningful updates out between major Android releases. Now, rather than saving everything for an annual operating system launch, the company rolls out new features regularly, directly to compatible devices. This latest batch is all about personalization and AI-fueled convenience.

One of the most useful additions is an upgrade to Circle to Search. So far, the feature has been great for spotting a single thing on your screen, whether it's a landmark, gadget, or piece of clothing. The new update adds the ability for users to search an entire outfit at once, a feature that first launched on the Galaxy S26 series.

Circle to Search now surfaces shopping results for each item, instead of having to search for shoes, a jacket, and a pair of jeans individually. It can also identify multiple clothing items in a single image. The feature is available on Android 14 devices that already support Circle to Search.

Google Photos becomes a digital closet

Google is also adding a surprisingly ambitious wardrobe feature to Google Photos, which debuted on Motorola’s new Razr lineup last April. The new digital wardrobe, coming soon to eligible users in the U.S., India, and Brazil, automatically catalogs the clothing in your photo library and puts those items into a browsable collection.

This feature provides a dedicated space for your outfits to be sorted and ready to revisit instead of endlessly scrolling through old photos to remember what you wore to an event. Google says users will be able to mix and match clothing combinations, save favorite looks, and even virtually try outfits on.

Book lovers are getting something new, too. Google Play Books is adding AI-powered reading tools to keep readers engaged without leaving the app. The new “Catch me up” feature gives you recaps of what you’ve already read, so it’s easier to pick up a book where you left off. Meanwhile, readers can highlight passages and ask questions about themes, characters, or context directly within the reading experience.

Google says the Book Insights features are now beginning to roll out for select English-language titles, including thousands of books that are free to read.

However, not every update is powered by AI. Gboard’s Emoji Kitchen is dropping another batch of emoji mashups, giving users more ways to come up with more expressive combinations. The feature keeps turning ordinary emoji into custom stickers with a single tap, whether you’re trying to send something playful, dramatic, or just oddly specific.

Android Central's Take

These new features could fix small but real problems people face every day. That said, there’s also a growing feeling that Google wants your phone to organize, recommend, categorize, and think for you at every turn. Some users will like the convenience, while others will wonder if we’re slowly turning our devices into overzealous personal assistants that can’t stop making suggestions.

Circle to Search grew to become one of Android's most essential features. Unlike other Google AI tools, Circle to Search isn't held back by system requirements or exclusivity. It's available on basically every Android phone running the latest software. In fact, Circle to Search is also available on iPhones via the Google and Chrome apps. Initially touted as a way to identify and search the content on your Android phone screen by searching it, the Circle to Search tool can now do much more than that.

One of the feature's more underrated capabilities is its ability to recognize music. Similar to third-party apps like Shazam, Circle to Search can identify songs playing in your environment. It can even detect and recognize songs playing directly from your device, or name the song you can only hum with basic chords. Here are the three ways to name that song using Circle to Search you probably haven't tried before.

Recognize songs playing on your device

The oval-shaped Circle to Search user interface now includes quite a few functions. As a refresher, touch and hold the navigation bar on your Android phone to surface it. Then, you'll have a search bar, a dictation button, a music note button, and a translation button. You can also tap or circle any area of your screen to search it. For this exercise, we're focusing on that music note.

Tapping the music note button lets you instantly identify songs using Google Search. However, you might not know that Circle to Search can also recognize music playing from your device. If you're hearing a song you don't recognize in a streaming or social app, you can activate Circle to Search and ask it to identify the name of the artist in that track.

Hum a song to identify it

More specifically, tapping the music note in Circle to Search surfaces a screen that tells you to Play, sing, or hum a song. That's right — you can sing or hum along to a song that's stuck in your head, and Circle to Search will try to figure out the name and artist. We've all had a song that we can't get out of our minds, yet somehow we can't remember a single thing about it or even just one lyric. This Circle to Search mode is the perfect solution.

Instead of using a Google Search query to try (and probably fail) to describe the song running around in your brain, just sing or hum along to the beat for Circle to Search. It works better than you think. I hummed along to the chords of AC/DC's Highway to Hell and Circle to Search figured out the name in a few seconds.

Recognize songs playing around you

Finally, you can still use Circle to Search to simply identify songs playing in your environment. If you hear a song playing in a cafe or restaurant that you like, tap the navigation bar to launch Circle to Search, press the music note, and wait for the magic to happen. It usually only takes a few seconds, and you'll see a Google Search page open with the artist and track name you were looking for.

With the page open, you can read the song's lyrics, play the track on YouTube, or learn more about the artist. It's much simpler than using Gemini or a third-party song recognition service like Shazam. Since only Pixels have access to the fan-favorite Now Playing app, Circle to Search is a great alternative for every Android user.

Circle to Search is one of my favorite Android features due to its versatility. It can use Google Lens to search the web for what's on your screen, scan QR codes and read barcodes, translate languages, and even identify songs. If you're only using Circle to Search for reverse image searches, you're missing out — it's so much more powerful than that.

What you need to know

• Android 17 is finally bringing seamless app handoff to Android with a new feature called Continue On.
• Continue On can transfer app activity from a phone to a tablet almost instantly, including articles, notes, emails, and even specific webpages or documents.
• Google designed the system to work both ways eventually, but Android 17 is starting with phone-to-tablet handoff first.

Google is finally giving Android users something Apple fans have bragged about for years: seamless app handoff between devices. With Android 17, Google is introducing a new feature called “Continue On,” and it’s shaping up to be one of the platform’s most practical upgrades in a long time.

The company said in a blog post that the framework, running on Android 17 (API Level 37), securely connects a “sending device," where your activity originates, and a “receiving device” that pulls the exact state of that app. While the system is built to be completely bidirectional, Google is prioritizing mobile-to-tablet transitions right out of the gate.

So, if you are using an app on your phone, your tablet’s taskbar will pop up a suggestion for that app. Tap it, and the app picks up right where you left off. For example, if you’re reading an article, writing a note, or checking an email on your phone, your tablet can pick up that same task almost immediately. In supported cases, Android can even reopen the same webpage or document you were on.

Later, Google has plans for a tablet-to-phone handoff, but it hasn't released a timeline for that yet. Note that both devices need to support the feature, and the same app generally needs to be installed across devices for native handoff to work properly.

Smart web fallback

The system will also be getting fallback support from Google. If the receiving device doesn’t have the app installed, Android may be able to continue the session via the web instead.

The company had teased cross-device handoff earlier in the Android 17 beta cycle, but it’s becoming much more official now.

This push also fits into Google's larger Android strategy for 2026. Android 17 has been focused on multitasking, large-screen devices, and ecosystem features. Google has already rolled out new app bubble tools, tablet-focused improvements, enhanced desktop-style features, and tighter cross-device experiences across the beta program.

Google says Continue On will start testing with Android 17 RC1, the first release candidate build of the platform. The stable Android 17 rollout is expected later this year, probably with the next wave of flagship Android phones and tablets.

Android Central's Take

Continue On is one of those Android features that should’ve existed years ago. Users are already hopping between phones, tablets, foldables, and Chromebooks all day, so finally making Android feel like a connected ecosystem is a win for users. That said, Apple made this kind of seamless handoff feel normal almost a decade ago now, and Android users have been left relying on clunky workarounds ever since. So while I’m happy that Google is finally playing catch-up, the real challenge is now ensuring that Continue On doesn’t join the long list of promising Android features that quietly disappear because developers ignore them or Google loses interest six months down the line.

What you need to know

• Google quietly rolled out Android 17 QPR1 Beta 3 during I/O 2026, giving Pixel users an early preview of upcoming Feature Drop changes.
• The update pushes Android further toward a frosted-glass aesthetic with expanded blur and translucency effects in Quick Settings and the power menu.
• Google added a new bounce-back Quick Settings animation that feels noticeably inspired by iPhone-style UI motion.

Google couldn’t resist one more surprise for I/O 2026. While developers were packing up from the Gemini keynote, the company quietly pushed Android 17 QPR1 Beta 3 live.

There’s not much in the update that will catch your attention, but it provides a glimpse of where Google is taking Android’s design and usability over the coming months. If you’ve been paying close attention to Android 17, this release is part of Google’s Quarterly Platform Release program, or QPR. These builds are usually previews of upcoming Pixel Feature Drops, so some of the changes coming today are likely coming to stable Pixel phones later this year. In this case, QPR1 is expected to shape up into the September Feature Drop for supported devices.

The biggest visual difference in QPR1 Beta 3 is Google's further use of blur and translucency effects throughout the interface, as per Mishaal Rahman on X.

Earlier Android 17 previews have been showing Android’s UI slowly moving toward a more muted, frosted-glass look, and this build takes that effect to new areas, like the power menu and Quick Settings.

There's also a subtle new "bounce-back" animation in Quick Settings. Roll down the shade and you'll see the rubber-band-style motion effect that iPhone users have been experiencing for years.

No flashy AI here

Google’s also improving the tools people use on a daily basis, rather than chasing after flashy AI add-ons. For instance, the screen recorder now defaults to your previously selected app, instead of forcing you to reset preferences each time. It eliminates an annoying extra step for creators, gamers, or anyone recording tutorials.

Beta 3 also focuses on fixing bugs and enhancing stability. Google resolved several known issues that affected system behavior, log spam, and overall reliability.

Previous beta releases have already moved the platform to stability status, meaning that Google has mostly locked down APIs and core system behavior for the public launch. Now, the company is focused on refining rather than completely overhauling Android.

And the AI push is still looming in the background. Google has already confirmed that Android 17 will heavily lean into Gemini-powered experiences, with features designed around on-device intelligence, contextual assistance, and smarter personalization tools.

The update is now rolling out to Pixel devices from the Pixel 6 series and newer enrolled in the Android Beta Program for Pixel users. If you’re testing earlier QPR builds, you should get it over the air automatically.

Android Central's Take

Smarter screen recording defaults, smoother UI behavior — these aren’t features that dominate keynote slides, but they’re the kind of things users notice after months of living with a phone. And if Google continues to pile on aesthetic tweaks without consistent performance benefits, the company’s growing obsession with translucent effects and visual flair could devolve into “style over substance.”

What you need to know

• Google's new Android 17 emojis add a 3D depth effect, replacing the flatter look from older Android versions.
• A new leak reveals around 250 redesigned emojis, including new faces, animals, food, and drink icons.
• Google is expected to roll out the new Noto 3D emojis first to Pixel phones later this year.

A new massive leak has given us our first proper look at the new 3D emojis coming with the Android 17 update later this year.

At The Android Show last week, one of the smaller but surprisingly important announcements was Google's redesigned emojis for Android 17. For years, people have complained that Android emojis feel flat and uninspiring compared to the ones on iPhones, and it finally looks like Google is trying to address that.

Google announced that Android 17 will introduce new 3D emojis called Noto 3D. These new emojis feature more depth and dimension, and Google says they're designed to better express emotion and make "presence felt." At the Android Show, Google only teased a handful of emojis, but a new leak has now revealed a much larger collection.

The leak was shared by RKBDI in a post on X, showcasing around 250 redesigned emojis. The images include new emoji faces along with animals, food items, drinks, and more. As you can see from the leaked images, the new emojis definitely have more depth and a more 3D-like appearance than before, although it still isn't a complete redesign from the ground up.

Google hasn't started rolling out or testing these emojis on Android 17 beta devices just yet, but we expect them to appear fairly soon in future beta updates. If you're on the stable version of Android, though, these redesigned emojis will likely arrive first on Pixel phones later this year, probably around the Pixel 11 launch window.

Android Central's Take

Honestly, I was hoping for a much more radical redesign, but it doesn't look like that's happening with Android 17. These leaked emojis actually remind me a lot of Samsung's emoji style while still carrying traces of Google's older Android emojis. They're definitely an improvement, but not quite on the same level as what Apple currently offers.

What you need to know

• Google is rolling out QR code file sharing from Android phones to iPhones through Quick Share.
• iPhone users can scan a QR code and download shared files through a secure Google webpage.
• Shared files stay available for 24 hours and are protected with end-to-end encryption.

Google has started rolling out a new Quick Share feature that lets Android users share files with iPhones simply by scanning a QR code.

One of the biggest announcements from this week's Android Show was improved compatibility between Android phones and iPhones. Google announced that it would make switching from iPhone to Android easier by allowing more complex data, like passwords and even home screen layouts, to transfer across devices. Another major part of the announcement was the expansion of Quick Share to AirDrop support across more Android phones.

However, it looks like Google won't be bringing native Quick Share to AirDrop support to every Android phone, at least not yet. For devices that don't support it, Google announced a fallback feature that lets iPhone users scan a QR code and receive files through the cloud, and that feature is now beginning to roll out.

As spotted by Android Authority, the feature is already appearing on some devices. When sharing a file through Quick Share, users now see a new option labeled Share with iPhone and other devices, which generates a QR code that the other person can scan directly from their phone.

Once scanned, the QR code takes the recipient to the quickshare.google website, where they can download the shared files. Google says the files are end-to-end encrypted and remain available for only 24 hours.

This feature is mainly meant for Android phones that don't support native Quick Share to AirDrop compatibility. It does seem to be rolling out gradually, though. I tried it on both my Oppo Find X9 Pro and Google Pixel 8a, and neither had received the feature yet, so it looks like Google is still in the middle of the rollout.

Google's Android Show, ahead of I/O 2026 next week, just wrapped up, and the company showcased some major announcements and features coming to Android 17 later this year. As expected, there were big AI-focused improvements around Gemini, along with new UI changes for Android Auto, updated safety features, and even some visual refreshes across Android.

Google also gave us a sneak peek at a brand-new category of laptops coming later this year. The keynote was packed with announcements, and below we've rounded up the top five Android 17 upgrades showcased during the event.

Gemini is getting more Intelligent

Gemini has already become a central part of Android, and it looks like Google is doubling down on that with an even smarter version of the AI. Google is calling this new system Gemini Intelligence, and it will power a number of new Android 17 features later this year.

With Gemini Intelligence, Android will be able to handle even more complex tasks than before. Right now, Gemini's on-screen automation can already do things like order food or call a cab on devices like the Galaxy S26 series and Pixel 10 lineup. With the upgraded Gemini Intelligence, it will also be able to perform more advanced tasks, like checking your Gmail, finding books, and even adding them directly to your shopping cart.

Two of the biggest new features powered by Gemini Intelligence are Rambler and Create My Widget. Rambler is an upgraded speech-to-text experience for Pixel devices. It understands more natural speech patterns, including pauses, corrections, and filler words like 'umms' and 'ahhs,' and formats them correctly while transcribing. It also supports multilingual input, meaning you can switch between languages naturally while speaking.

The other feature, and probably my favorite, is AI-powered widget creation. With Gemini Intelligence, you'll be able to create custom widgets just by describing what you want. Gemini can pull information from other Google apps and generate widgets tailored to your needs.

For example, you could create a widget showing multiple world clocks at once or one that tracks your daily calorie intake. These widgets will also sync across other Google devices, including Wear OS watches and Googlebooks later this year.

Quick Share to AirDrop support is coming to more devices

Late last year, Google added support for sharing files between Android's Quick Share and Apple's AirDrop on the Pixel 10 series, and later expanded it to the Pixel 9 lineup earlier this year. Samsung also introduced the feature on the Galaxy S26 series and recently expanded it to the Galaxy S25 lineup and some older devices.

Now, even more Android phones will support the feature. Google says devices from partners like Oppo, OnePlus, Vivo, Xiaomi, and Honor will also gain support for Quick Share to AirDrop transfers. And for devices that don't support native sharing, Google says users will still be able to generate a QR code to transfer files through the cloud to iPhones.

Google is also improving the process for switching from iPhone to Android. The company says more complex data, including saved passwords and even your home screen layout, will now carry over when moving from an iPhone to an Android phone — something that was previously missing.

Pause Point wants to break your endless doomscrolling habit

We've all been there, picking up the phone to do something quickly and then ending up scrolling Instagram or TikTok for far longer than intended. Google wants to help users break that habit with a new Android feature called Pause Point.

Pause Point lets you mark certain apps as distracting, and whenever you open them, Android will first show a short 10-second pause screen before letting you continue. During that time, it can suggest things like breathing exercises, setting a timer for the app, looking at favorite photos, or even switching to something less distracting, like an audiobook app.

Google says this approach works better than traditional app timers because those are easy to turn off or ignore. Pause Point instead adds more friction, and if you want to disable it completely, Android will require a full phone restart before the feature can actually be turned off.

Android is finally getting redesigned 3D emojis

Probably the smallest, yet somehow one of the biggest, announcements during today's Android Show keynote was that Android is finally getting redesigned 3D emojis. For years, people have complained that Android emojis look too flat and uninspiring, especially compared to the ones on iPhones, and Google is finally changing that.

Google still hasn't shown the full redesigned emoji set yet, only teasing a few examples so far, but the company says the new 3D emojis will start rolling out to Pixel devices later this year.

Android 17 adds stronger protections against scams and frauds

Google already claims that Android blocks more scams and frauds than the iPhone, and with Android 17, the company is pushing those protections even further. Google says it's partnering with select banks and financial institutions for new anti-spoofing call protection.

Basically, if you receive a call from someone pretending to be your bank, Android will be able to verify in the background with the official banking app installed on your phone whether the call is legitimate or not. If it detects something suspicious, it can immediately flag and cut the call.

Google is also improving Live Threat Detection. Android 17 will now scan apps for suspicious behavior, including things like SMS forwarding, hidden background launches, or misuse of accessibility overlays.

Chrome on Android is also getting stronger Safe Browsing protections. If you try to download an APK or app from a third-party source, Chrome will actively analyze it for malware and block the download if it detects anything harmful.

Find Hub is also gaining a useful new security feature with an upgraded "Mark as Lost" mode. When you mark your phone as lost, Android 17 can now lock the device behind biometric authentication in addition to your PIN or password. This adds another layer of protection, preventing someone from unlocking the device even if they somehow know the passcode.

Android will also hide Quick Settings while the device is locked, stopping thieves from disabling Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, which can be crucial when you're trying to track a lost phone.

But that's not all...

Overall, Google is preparing a pretty major Android 17 update for later this year. We expect most of these features to arrive around the Pixel 11 launch window in August or September, or possibly through a later Android 17 QPR release.

And these weren't the only announcements either. Google also showed off new Gemini integrations coming to Chrome on Android, along with several creator-focused improvements.

That said, probably the most interesting announcement from the keynote was Google's new Googlebook laptop lineup, which looks like the company's next big step beyond Chromebooks and toward a more Gemini-focused computing experience.

What you need to know

• At the Android Show, Google highlighted massive upgrades to your security and privacy on its software.
• Location access is becoming more transparent, meaning users can more easily when and which apps have access their location to manage them.
• Better protections against banking scams are on the way, alongside "Mark as Lost," which introduces a biometric layer to protect your phone if it gets stolen.

You can't have an Android Show without the Android OS showing up in some way, and Google's doing that by highlighting better security and privacy.

Stronger controls that users can directly put to use are coming to Android 17 this year. Google highlighted during the Android Show that it's introducing a "temporary precise location" button; this might be useful to someone who wants to know where a cafe is around them or perform other quick tasks. Since this is something you'd do in the moment, Google says it's worked in privacy software to ensure unwanted tracking doesn't get a chance to show its face.

More location access transparency from apps that track where you are will be included. Users will be able to tap this indicator and see which apps have recently tracked their location and manage them. What's more, there's a "Contact Picker" that's being worked on by developers. In the instance that an app asks for contacts access, users should soon find "the specific fields" the app is interested in filling.

This might help users who want to share just one contact, instead of revealing their entire list to an app.

Scams are as prevalent as air nowadays. Google's trying to do something to help users by introducing stronger defenses for potential banking scams. In its press release, the company states that it's "working with select banks and financial institutions to help protect their customers with verified financial calls, a new phone call spoofing protection feature designed to keep your money and personal information safe."

This takes another step up, as Google says that if its software on your device detects a call from a spoofed number, it will end the call for you. The post says that it's been working with "select banks and financial institutions," and if you are with one of those places, you'll be protected. Working in the background, if you receive a call from someone who you think is (or isn't) from your bank, Android will ask if you'd like it to verify their authenticity.

Google says that it plans to roll out these enhanced bank scam protections for devices with Android 11 or higher with Revolut, Itaú, and Nubank "in the coming weeks." There are plans to extend these protections to more banks, but there's no date set in stone.

Watch what you download

Live Threat Detection made a brief appearance during the 2025 Show. Now, it's back, and Google says this is getting an upgrade for 2026. What's rolling out now are "warnings about suspicious behavior that could be potentially harmful." These defenses will specifically target SMS forwarding (when an app forwards a message to another number) and accessibility overlay, which could be used to trick you into an action you didn't want to complete.

Dynamic signal monitoring, which is the solution to these problems (debuting in Android 17), will monitor and inform users about any harmful app behavior. If an app mysteriously changes or hides its icon, you'll know. Google is targeting the second half of 2026 to roll this out.

Joining these updates is one for Advanced Protection. What's leading the charge this time is USB Protection and Intrusion Logging. The former is becoming available to all Pixel devices with Android 16 or higher in Advanced Protection. Google plans to extend its availability to other Android phones "soon." Intrusion Logging, which "enables persistent and privacy-preserving forensics logging," is rolling out to all Android 16 devices with the December update or newer software.

Elsewhere, Chrome on Android is improving Safe Browsing. If you're looking to download an APK or an app from a third-party, Chrome will analyze it for malware. If it detects something harmful, it will stop you from progressing.

Keep your phone (and your sensitive content) safeguarded

Find Hub helps to keep users connected to their devices in the event that they're misplaced (or worse). Today (May 12), Google highlighted an update coming for the Find Hub's "Mark as lost." In Android 17, users can "lock a phone with biometric authentication, in addition to the regular device passcode or PIN." By doing so, you give another layer of protection for your device, as thieves can't unlock your phone (if they know your PIN) and turn off location tracking and more.

Additionally, marking your device as lost will also hide your Quick Settings and disable new Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connections.

Google then went into an update for "default-on theft protections." These are now being expanded globally. Android 17 will have these safety measures enabled by default. Users can expect the aid of the Remote Lock and Theft Detection Lock. Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and the U.K. are getting default-on theft protections for Android phones with OS 10 or higher. Elsewhere, your device's IMEI number can be accessed via your lock screen to aid law enforcement and others.

Android Central's Take

I'm always a fan of new—meaningful—security/privacy upgrades. It's a digital age, and there are times when it feels like you're just out there, exposed for all to see. Introducing better features like this that matter, that make it feel like we can keep what matters to us, only for us, makes a huge difference.

We've heard all about how Aluminum OS is Google's desktop Android project, and it could replace ChromeOS. Now, we have an idea of which devices will actually run Aluminum OS. During today's The Android Show: I/O Edition, Google revealed a new lineup of Android-powered laptops called Googlebooks. They'll be made by five partners to start, namely Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP and Lenovo. And while we don't know exactly what the OS powering Googlebooks will be named, we do know it's build on the Android technology stack.

It isn't just a larger version of the Android that powers your phone — even if it looks a bit similar to Android 16's desktop mode and the Chrome OS user interface. Instead, Google wants to transform the Android operating system into an "intelligent system" with AI at the core. It also views Android as being the singular software experience across phones, watches, tablets, laptops, and even cars. Those are lofty goals, and we can't say whether Aluminum OS will achieve them. If the project succeeds, Googlebooks will be the start.

They'll run the Gemini Intelligence software suite in addition to an Android-based OS, which adds new features, including a fresh take on a user interface element I didn't think needed changing — the cursor. It has gone virtually unchanged for decades, but Google wants to revamp it with Magic Pointer. After hearing about, it has me wondering whether the cursor is already perfect, or if we've been settling for it while something better exists.

Magic Pointer suggests features you didn't know you needed

The desktop cursor is arguably the most important part of a computer operating system — it's often the reason we turn to traditional laptops and desktops instead of using our mobile devices. The precision of a desktop pointer, paired with its ability to switch into a grabber and text selector based on the situation, helps streamline workflows and allow you to do things you couldn't with a finger or stylus. So, does it need changing?

I've been unsure of that, because Google's take on the desktop cursor isn't the first attempt at reimagining the tool we've seen over the last few years. Apple tried something new with iPadOS by adding a circular and contextual cursor that morphs into UI elements on your iPad. It's a way of bringing thoughtful and precise control to a touch-first operating system. For me, it hasn't quite landed, because it isn't as precise as a traditional cursor or as convenient as using my finger.

Google's Magic Pointer for Googlebooks is similar in that it's a desktop cursor designed to transform situationally as you use your operating system. However, the implementation is much different than iPadOS — the transformative nature of the cursor is the only thing in common. Magic Pointer is based on Gemini, and runs on-device to provide immediate suggestions based on what you're doing. It will suggest Gemini-powered actions you can take with content on your screen in real time.

For example, you could hover your cursor over a date, and Magic Pointer could suggest creating a meeting or calendar invite. Use your cursor to select a pair of images, and Gemini could merge them with Nano Banana. The Magic Pointer suggestions are happening quickly using on-device processing, with the final actions (like generating an image) offloaded to the cloud for processing.

It's all part of Google's effort to make AI a central part of its operating systems, rather than a side app you use when you think of it.

It's just one Gemini Intelligence tool coming to Googlebooks

I'm intrigued by the Magic Pointer, and I think it could help Googlebooks stand out. Google-powered laptops, like Chromebooks, have always been about using cloud-based features to limit the amount of processing that's actually done on your device. This is how Chromebooks are able to undercut the competition in price, and provide useful tools with lower-end hardware. Googlebooks are set to use a mix of on-device and cloud-based AI processing to deliver Gemini Intelligence features — right in your cursor.

The simplicity of Magic Pointer might be the most important part. It's harder than you might think to integrate AI features into your workflow. You test a tool like Nano Banana to try it out, but don't remember to use it when trying to visualize a couch in your space. With Magic Pointer, there's an active reminder of the Gemini Intelligence tools available on your Googlebook. Some people might not like how much AI is built into a feature as basic as the desktop cursor, but others will love it.

What you need to know

• Android 17's new Pause Point feature adds a short pause before opening distracting apps to reduce doomscrolling.
• Pause Point will show breathing exercises, photos, or audiobook suggestions instead of locking apps entirely.
• Google is finally redesigning Android emojis with a new 3D look similar to what iPhones currently offer.
• The new 3D Android emojis will first roll out to Pixel phones later this year with Android 17 features.

If you spend an unhealthy amount of time on your phone, as I do, Google is bringing a new Android feature that might actually help you pause and live in the moment, while also fixing one of my biggest annoyances with Android: emojis.

Alongside the announcement of Googlebook and several other Android updates, Google also showed off a couple of smaller Android 17 features that actually look surprisingly useful.

One of the new additions is called Pause Point, a new Digital Wellbeing feature designed to reduce mindless doomscrolling. It works somewhat like app timers, but instead of locking you out completely, Pause Point introduces a short 10-second pause whenever you open an app you've marked as distracting.

During that pause, Android encourages you to think about why you're opening the app in the first place. During those few seconds, Android can also show things like breathing exercises, app timers, favorite photos, or even alternative suggestions like audiobooks.

Moreover, Pause Point is much more practical than traditional app timers, since those are easy to disable and ignore. Google says Pause Point is meant to encourage more intentional app use. In fact, if users try to disable the feature entirely, Android will require a full phone restart before it can be turned off, adding another layer of friction.

The second feature isn't nearly as practical, but it's still something I've wanted for a while. Android is finally getting new 3D emojis. A lot of people, myself included, have complained that Android emojis feel flat and uninspired compared to the iPhone's, and Google finally seems to be addressing that with Android 17.

Instead of the usual flat look, the new emojis have a 3D depth effect, much closer to what Apple currently offers. Google describes them as "the difference between a message received and a presence felt." The new emoji style will start rolling out across Google's ecosystem later this year, beginning with Pixel phones.

Android Central's Take

Pause Point honestly feels like one of the first Digital Wellbeing features that might actually work. A small pause before opening Instagram or X sounds annoying at first, but that's exactly why I think it'll be effective.

Also, better Android emojis. FINALLY!

What you need to know

• Android 17 adds creator-focused tools like Screen Reactions for recording videos and reactions together.
• Google says Instagram uploads on Android will now retain much better photo and video quality.
• Google is turning Android into a better platform for creators with APV video and Premiere support.

iPhones have always been the go-to platform for creators, but Google is finally taking things seriously and bringing some major creator-focused improvements to Android with the Android 17 update.

At The Android Show: I/O Edition today, alongside announcing Googlebook, Google also revealed a number of updates aimed at creators on Android. The company is adding deeper social media integrations, new AI-powered editing tools, and better support for professional-grade mobile video workflows.

One of the biggest additions is a new feature called Screen Reactions. It lets users record themselves and their screen at the same time, making it much easier to create reaction-style videos without needing separate apps or green screen setups.

Google says the feature will first roll out to Pixel devices later this summer, although there is no confirmation yet on when it will arrive on other Android phones.

Google is also heavily improving the Instagram experience on Android. The company says it has worked with Meta to bring features like Ultra HDR capture and playback, built-in video stabilization, and Night Sight integration to flagship Android phones.

On top of that, Google says it has optimized the entire capture-to-upload pipeline, which should finally improve the quality of Instagram Stories uploaded from Android devices, something users have complained about for years.

In addition to that, Google is also adding new tools to the Edits app. There are several new AI-powered features, including Smart Enhance, which can upscale photos and videos directly on-device. There's also a new sound separation tool that can identify and isolate different audio tracks, letting you remove or boost specific sounds like music, noise, or voices.

Google additionally says Android is becoming a "true mobile workstation" for YouTubers, vloggers, and filmmakers. Instagram is now being fully optimized for Android tablets, while Adobe Premiere is also set to arrive on Android later this summer with templates and effects designed for creating YouTube Shorts.

The company is also continuing its push for APV (Advanced Professional Video), a professional-grade yet storage-efficient video format co-developed with Samsung. APV is already available on devices like the Galaxy S26 Ultra and Vivo X300 Ultra, with more Snapdragon 8 Elite-powered phones expected to support it later this year.

Android Central's Take

I've been calling out social media apps for years to properly optimize their Android apps, especially Instagram, and it finally feels like Google is giving them the push they needed. The new creator-focused tools also genuinely look useful instead of just being another AI gimmick slapped onto Android.

What you need to know

• Google continues its QPR1 development for Android 17 by rolling out Beta 2 for enrolled Pixel users.
• Its patch notes highlight several fixes for swipe gestures, "visual instability" when moving between apps, Bluetooth tethering problems, and more.
• QPR1 Beta 1 rolled out a couple of weeks back, hauling in several key bug fixes.

Google's development of its first big Android 17 QPR update continues, as users receive a second beta this week.

The company revealed the contents of Android 17 QPR1 Beta 2 on Reddit for testers, highlighting its fixes for a slew of early test issues. Many reports were filed for Google between QPR1 Beta 1 and Beta concerning a "visual instability" issue affecting Pixels when moving apps "in the recent items screen." The company states it's rolling out a fix for this, alongside an issue that plagued the swipe gestures.

Pixel users reported needing to manually reactivate their device's internet sharing connected devices due to an emerging Bluetooth tethering issue. This was reported in Issue #371660785 in a lengthy Issue Tracker thread that spans beyond 2026. Google states this issue should be fixed, as users begin downloading QPR1 Beta 2's OTA patch.

On a decorative note, Google says a fix is rolling out for custom-themed apps. Many of these were displaying incorrectly on users' home screens when exiting other apps. The remainder of the changelog is as follows:

• Resolves a bug in the F2FS file system that could result in data corruption or unexpected system instability
• Fixed an issue where mobile signal bars incorrectly display as empty or greyed out despite active connectivity, preventing users from accurately gauging their network signal strength
• Terminating a third active call from the head unit incorrectly disconnects an existing conference call participant instead of the intended call
• Terminating a third active call from the head unit incorrectly disconnects an existing conference call participant instead of the intended call
• Resolved an issue where the Terminal app fails to launch, resulting in an unresolvable error pop-up and infinite loading

Android 17's off and running

We've witnessed Android 17 entering its "Platform Stability" stage, but Google isn't wasting any time by rolling out QPR1 Beta 1 right after. This update is intended to be the software's first major update following its arrival. It's kind of wild to think that Google is already moving onto "new features," but that's probably just smart thinking. When QPR1 Beta 1 launched, there weren't any notable features to discuss. The company was primarily focused on fixing issues for Pixels.

It's pretty much similar to the patch notes Google detailed for Beta 2 this week. We're expecting Android 17 to be released in mid-2026. The QPR1 contents will most likely wait until later in the year, potentially around August or September.

What you need to know

• The encryption-focused update for RCS messaging between iPhones and Android has been detailed.
• Apple states that this feature will arrive once iOS 26.5 debuts, which is speculated to do so next week.
• The RCS standard never had E2EE protections, it was Google that decided that for Messages; however, a GSMA update in 2025 announced that encryption was on the way.

It's been a while since we were all RCS crazy, but an update brings those vibes back, as Apple finally prepares to make good on a promise.

Highlighted earlier today (May 5) by 9to5Mac, Apple is reportedly preparing to make good on its word to add encryption to users' messages with Android. The company posted the changelog for its iOS 26.5 RC build, which is the final testing iteration of the software before it hits the servers for everyone. In its notes, Apple states that it will "introduce end-to-end encrypted RCS (beta) messaging."

It adds that its RCS encryption will come online for "supported carriers." The publication speculates that this update will begin rolling out sometime next week; however, Apple's post suggests its encryption won't be simultaneous. This support will be "rolled out over time," meaning some users and carriers may see E2EE whenever it arrives, while others will have to wait a while.

It would be nice if all iPhone users could get it at once, but to hold us over, 9to5Google alleges what this might look like on those devices. The post states that users will likely have to dive into their settings (Settings > Messages > RCS Messages) and make sure their end-to-end encryption toggle is active. Once completed, your chats will display a locked icon with "Encrypted" beside it. This is similar to the locked icon with "RCS chat with X" in Google Messages on Android.

Protected

It's funny to think that Apple's iPhones got RCS support in iMessage late in 2024, but we're just now getting encrypted texts. There's actually a reason for that. In 2019, Google decided to offer end-to-end encryption to protect users' text messages in Messages. Apple's adoption of such protections for users was a collaborative effort between multiple companies and the GSM Association.

The GSMA announced in 2025 that its update at the time (RCS Universal Profile 3.0) would support E2EE for users. Apple confirmed quickly after that it would add "support for end-to-end encrypted RCS messages to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS in future software updates.”

Android Central's Take

All I can say is finally. It's been a long road, one that Google trekked down tirelessly with its "Get the Message" campaign. All this means is now, Android and iPhone users talking to each in other RCS supported chats have that strong encryption behind their texts. Protecting and shielding them from prying eyes.

What you need to know

• Google reportedly teased what's coming up for its Android Show: I/O 2026 Edition in a now-removed YouTube video.
• It's been stated that the description highlights the reveals as the "biggest" for Android yet.
• The Android Show is eyeing a May 12 date at 10 am PT/12pm ET, a week before I/O 2026 will reveal major Android 17 details and more.

Update

Google has uploaded its official Android Show 2026 announcement video on YouTube (and kept it this time). The company has also revealed its website for the Android Show's upcoming event on May 12 at 10 am PT/12 pm ET (via 9to5Google). Interested parties can set their reminders in preparation for the event later this month.

We're already looking ahead to I/O 2026 in May; however, Google is seemingly teasing a show before the main event to get us ready for the next era of Android.

Google is reportedly teasing what's coming up for its Android Show, which will precede its I/O 2026 conference in May (via 9to5Google). The video, which is no longer available on YouTube at the time of writing, stated the Android Show: I/O Edition will begin on May 12 at 10 am PT (12 pm ET). There's speculation that this show will involve consumer-oriented updates and insights for Android.

The publication highlighted the video's description, which reportedly positions this year's show as the most significant one yet. Google said, "This is going to be one of the biggest years for Android yet." The brief teaser concludes by stating, "be the first to take a look at what the future holds."

There was quite a bit covered last year, so it's likely we're looking at a similar situation.

It's the Android Show

If we take a look at what Google did last year, its teaser for the Android Show (2025 edition) featured its own website. The site, at the time, was pretty brief, only showing the date, time, and a quick description of what users could expect. It's pretty much no different than what Google's done today (or, not today?) with its now-removed YouTube video. Last year, the company's Sameer Samat, President of Android Ecosystem, and members of the Android team, hosted the show.

The show typically airs a week before I/O does, and it looks like we're staring at a similar approach this year, too. The 2025 edition held quite a few hefty insights, such as Material 3 Expressive, Gemini's expansion to more devices, and Gemini's scam detection capabilities.

Following Google's round of puzzles, users revealed I/O 2026's date, which is slated for May 19-20. We also got a good look at its sessions list. Google is preparing to talk about Android 17, its AI software, and big Chrome updates for the year.

Android Central's Take

The Android Show is like a little space where Google's software can shine a little before everything else at I/O. What's most curious is that the company teased major Android 17 highlights for I/O 2026, so what's this show going to discuss? Perhaps any UI revamps will appear, alongside what's coming for Gemini that matters on our phones. The bigger highlights will likely be reserved for the main event the week after, but this will serve as an appetizer to keep us going.

What you need to know

• Google has released Android 17 QPR1 Beta 1 for Pixel devices following the Android 17 Beta 4 rollout earlier this month.
• Android 17 has now reached platform stability, so new features will arrive later with QPR1 updates instead of the base release.
• The QPR1 Beta 1 update mainly focuses on bug fixes, including improvements to the Terminal app and wireless printing issues.

Google has been testing Android 17 for quite a while now, and even though the stable update isn't out yet, the company has already started testing Android 17's first big update.

After releasing Android 17 Beta 4 earlier this month, Google rolled out Android 17 QPR1 Beta 1 for Pixel devices on April 22, 2026. It comes with the build number CP31.260403.005.A1.

As Google announced recently, Android 17 has now reached the platform stability stage, which means the focus will shift to bug fixes and stability improvements, with no major new features expected in the base release. Any new features from here on will likely arrive with Android 17 QPR1.

As for changes, there aren't any major new features in Android 17 QPR1 Beta 1. That said, the update does include a number of bug fixes, including issues related to the Terminal app and wireless printing. Here's the official changelog from Google:

- Fixed a crash in the Default Print Service occurring during low ink conditions that prevents users from completing print jobs. (Issue #487545419)

- The Terminal app triggers an Application Not Responding (ANR) error that results in the application and device becoming unresponsive. (Issue #497465940)

- Resolved an issue where uncontrollable hardware audio processing on the voice communication path caused distortion and phase cancellation in VoIP applications. (Issue #494843726)

- Direct audio output may fail to open on devices using the AIDL audio HAL when playing audio streams longer than five seconds. (Issue #372064012)

The update is available for Pixel devices starting from the Pixel 6 series all the way up to the Pixel 10 lineup, as long as they're enrolled in the Android Beta Program. Google has also started pushing the OTA update, so if you're enrolled, it's worth checking for updates. You can also sideload or flash the factory images manually if you prefer.

If you'd rather wait, the stable Android 17 update is expected to arrive around mid-2026. Android 17 QPR1, on the other hand, will likely roll out later in the year, possibly around the Pixel 11 launch window in August or September.

Android Central's Take

Google jumping to QPR1 this early is a good sign. It feels like Android 17 might land in a more polished state, which is something Google really needs right now, especially after the recent update that caused battery drain issues.

What you need to know

• Android 17 beta 4 is the final scheduled beta, focusing on stability ahead of the mid-2026 release.
• Google introduces app memory limits to reduce excessive RAM usage and improve performance and battery life.
• Developers must now optimize apps for Android 17, including better support for large screens and orientation behavior.
• The beta update is rolling out to Pixel 6 through Pixel 10 devices, with stable Android 17 expected later this year.

Google has been working hard over the past few weeks to refine Android 17 ahead of its mid-2026 release, and now, as part of that push toward stability, the company has released Android 17 beta 4, which is the last scheduled beta in this cycle.

Android 17 beta 4 comes with build number CP21.260330.008 and is available for Pixel devices from the Pixel 6 through the latest Pixel 10 series. Unlike Android 17 beta 2 and Android 17 beta 3, wherein Google introduced major features and UI changes, beta 4 comes with a relatively smaller list of updates.

The main highlight in this release is something Google calls 'App memory limits.' The company says Android 17 will introduce memory limits based on a device's total RAM to create a more stable and predictable experience.

Android 17 will set these limits conservatively to prevent extreme memory usage, which can lead to UI stutters, higher battery drain, and apps getting killed unexpectedly. In simple terms, this should help reduce memory hogging and improve overall performance and battery life. There are also a number of bug fixes included in this release.

Apart from that, Google has confirmed that Android 17 beta 4 is the final scheduled beta for this cycle and is asking developers to start fine-tuning their apps. The company says this build represents a near-final environment for testing.

Developers are also being asked to review behavior changes in Android 17, especially for things like large-screen optimization. For example, apps targeting Android 17 will no longer be able to opt out of orientation support, which is a big win for people with foldable phones and tablets. Google is also asking developers to check compatibility with features like local network protection, background audio changes, and dynamic code loading.

If you want to try Android 17 beta 4, make sure your Pixel is enrolled in the Android Beta Program. Google has started rolling out the OTA update, but if you haven't received it yet, you can also sideload it or flash the factory image manually.

On the other hand, if you'd rather avoid bugs and want a more stable experience, it's better to wait for the final Android 17 release, which is expected sometime around mid-2026.

What you need to know

• Another report regarding Google's rumored "Tap to Share" feature surfaced, showcasing a revamped sharing menu, which adheres to Android 16's design.
• Details also state the feature will inform users to "overlap" their devices for the transfer.
• Rumors about this feature started late last year, suggesting Android phones could display a glow during this transfer to signify its completion.

Supposed details about Google's take on Apple's NameDrop (or AirDrop) continue to surface, as a new report alleges its user interface.

Alongside AssembleDebug, Android Authority shared what could be the UI for Android's "Tap to Share" feature, which would take on Apple's NameDrop. Immediately, the tipster states Google has apparently changed the sharing screen when "tapping" your device on another phone. The sub-menu that's been spotted now is quite plain; there are three options with boxes, meaning users can select or deselect what they're sharing.

AssembleDebug's screenshot suggests we will be able to share our personal picture (profile icon, most likely), phone number, and email address. This final option, regarding your email, is also listed under "Home." That could indicate the sharing of your address, but it's not evident in the screenshot provided. Elsewhere, the tipster also discovered how Google will present and explain how Tap to Share works.

It might sound similar to tapping to pay with NFC, and in fact, it is. Google's early explainer shows an illustration of one user "tapping" by placing their phone over the other person's device. The post says users would need to "overlap" their phones, and the running theory is that this is to account for "different NFC chip placements on Android phones." If you think of Samsung's Galaxy S26 series, those phones have two antennas: one along the top edge and another lower-middle.

Google's purported explainer says users will need to keep their phones overlapped "until they glow."

Sharing is caring

This "until they glow" is the perfect segue into what was discovered late last year about this feature. Of course, we can't forget the initial report (mostly code) that suggested Google was at least thinking about an Apple NameDrop alternative for Android. What came out after was the alleged animation that would encompass Android phones once the hand-off was completed. It was said that your phone could show a creamsicle-esque color along the top edge of your screen, curling down toward the sides.

The running theory was that this would display, and then the contact details received would appear right after. NFC was speculated to play a heavy role in this transaction; however, that might only be temporary. Suggestions thereafter think that Wi-Fi or Bluetooth could take over afterward. That initial report from November talked about the tiny sub-menu, which has been slightly modified in this latest leak. It's much more Android 16 with the rounded corners and such.

It's still up in the air as to when Google could roll this out, but the next major OS looks promising (don't hold your breath).

Android Central's Take

In the interest of making something easy, it's probably a no-brainer that Google would try to work on a NameDrop of its own. Long gone are the days of asking for someone's number and typing it as they speak. You would tap or "overlap" your phones. Done. It's a straightforward feature that would sit alongside Google's Calling Cards in Contacts. Hopefully, this rolls out soon.

When setting up a new Android phone, you're often given the choice to use gestures or 3-button navigation, an option you can always change later in the settings. In a recent poll, we asked whether you prefer to use gestures or 3-button navigation on your Android smartphone. Surprisingly, it seems many of you have strong feelings about this, as our poll received over 19,000 responses.

Based on the responses, it seems Android users overwhelmingly favor the 3-button navigation, which received 81% of the votes. As someone who was originally skeptical of gestures but has since fully embraced them, I found this somewhat surprising.

Why people love 3-button navigation

One reader, James, highlights some benefits that come with using 3-button navigation, with a focus on accessibility and clarity:

"Button navigation is *discoverable*. Gesture navigation is not. This is still important to people who aren't as familiar with Android. This is still important for better accessibility.

Buttons also are clearer when it might not be obvious if your phone considers itself to be in portrait or landscape mode."

Another reader, Vrijilesh, gives a good reason why they still use 3-button navigation, which boils down to third-party launchers.

Another reader on X notes that gestures seem to be a mostly iPhone thing and that Android users prefer buttons, a statement that seems to be corroborated by our poll:

Mike Szekely on Facebook makes it clear and simple: "You'll have to pry buttons out of my cold, dead hands."

On the other hand, Alexander on Facebook comes to the defense of gestures, saying it's more accessible than buttons.

"Gesture navigation gives you significantly better control over your device," Turner comments. "Any part of the left or right hand side of my screen becomes the back button instead of me having to stretch my thumb from whatever current position it's at to get to the back button."

Sean also agrees, saying they prefer gesture navigation despite early skepticism.

"Gesture. Didn't think I'd like it at first, but after a day or two on the pixel 5 at the time, I was hooked. Now button navigation feels completely backwards for me."

That said, it looks like the masses have spoken: 3-button is the preferred method over gestures. And while both have their advantages, buttons are the more familiar method that consumers are comfortable with. Fortunately, unlike the iPhone, Android users still have a choice when it comes to navigating their phones.

What you need to know

• Android users in the US can now start the process of claiming payouts as Google begins settling the $135 million data lawsuit case.
• Eligible users must have used Android with cellular data between November 2017 and the final approval date.
• Users can choose payouts via PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, ACH, or virtual card through the settlement website.
• Final payouts depend on claims and approval, with a maximum of about $100 expected per eligible user.

It's not every day you get paid by a big tech company, but today might be your lucky day. Android users in the U.S. can now file their preferred payment method for their settlement payouts as Google comes close to settling the $135 million Android data case.

Google has been facing a class action lawsuit since November 2020, which alleged that the company collected and transferred Android users' cellular data without proper consent. The lawsuit claimed that Android devices performed "passive data transfers" in the background, even when the phone was idle, apps were closed, and location services were turned off.

Earlier this year, Google was ordered to pay $135 million to settle the case, and now users can choose how they want to receive their payments. As spotted by ClaimHub24 (via Android Authority), the settlement website is now live, and eligible Android users in the U.S. can submit their preferred payment method.

To be eligible, you must have used an Android smartphone with cellular data between November 12, 2017, and the date of the final order. Normally, you would need to submit a claim form, but in this case, you can directly complete a payment election form.

Users can choose to receive their payout via PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, ACH, or a virtual Mastercard. The website notes that if you don't select a payment method, the Settlement Administrator will still attempt to send your payment, but you may risk not receiving it if those attempts fail.

It's also worth noting that California residents are excluded from this settlement, as they are covered under a separate $314 million lawsuit.

As for payouts in the $135 million case, the maximum amount is expected to be up to $100 per person. However, the final amount will depend on how many people file claims, along with deductions for administration costs, taxes, and legal fees.

Keep in mind that you can currently only file your preferred payment method. The actual payouts will only be processed after final approval. The final approval hearing is scheduled for June 23, 2026, and payments will be issued only if the settlement is approved.

Android Central's Take

Free money is always nice, but this also highlights how casually our data gets used in the background (and Google still hasn't admitted any wrongdoing). And, sure, $100 is not life-changing, but if you're eligible, there is absolutely no reason to skip filing for it.

Quick settings look really neat and clean on Android 16, specifically on phones running "stock" Android, like the Pixel 10. You can add and remove tiles, reorganize them, add third-party tiles, and even change their sizes. The bare bones version comes with a few basic tiles out of the box. There are plenty of quick settings tiles we all need daily that are missing from the stock settings.

This is why I like to add at least six of the most important tiles to the quick settings as soon as I set up a phone for the first time. A few of them are quite surprising, because why would Google not add those tiles to the quick menu off the bat?

These are the top six quick settings tiles that I prioritize, in addition to basics like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Quick Share.

Location tile

As shocking as it may be, Google does not add the location tile to the quick settings menu by default. Considering this is perhaps the most used setting of them all, I find it perplexing that it is not automatically present on phones like the Pixel 10 right out of the box.

Leaving your GPS on can drain your battery a lot more, and you obviously also have to think about privacy concerns. This is why the location tile is the first one that you need to add to the first page of your quick settings.

Adding it is pretty simple. Take note that you'll follow the same instructions for virtually every other tile addition.

Simply swipe downwards from the top of your screen twice. Once the full quick settings menu is drawn out, click the pencil icon to edit tiles. Tiles are sorted by categories, so you'll need to scroll down to the privacy section to find and add the location tile.

Hotspot tile

Maybe you've got a secondary device like a tablet. Or if you're like me, you like to use your mobile data plan on your laptop, especially when roaming. Sometimes your friends might need you to share your mobile data with them. These are just a few of the many good reasons why the hotspot tile is important.

You can find the hotspot tile under the connectivity section when editing tiles in the quick settings.

QR code scanner tile

Google Lens can scan QR codes in a jiffy. If you have the Google Search widget on your home screen, the Lens button is accessible from there. Some phones, like the Pixel 10, even have this feature built into the camera app.

Adding the QR scanner shortcut to quick settings cuts down all these steps. All you have to do is swipe down and tap. I find this to be the most convenient way to scan QR codes on my phone. The QR code scanner tile is found under the utilities category of tiles.

TV remote tile

Not everyone has an Android TV or Google TV, but from what I've seen, even those who don't have such smart TVs add dongles to make their dumb TVs smart. I am one of those people. Therefore, the TV remote tile is an absolute must-have.

How many times do we lose our physical TV remotes in the folds of the couch or the depths of the couch cushions? My cat makes matters worse, plopping down on the remote and sleeping on it for hours. Forget about looking for the TV remote, just add this tile (under the system apps header) to your quick settings and control your TV using your phone. This lets you skip the hassle of opening the Google Home or Google TV app.

Song search tile

Not everyone has a Google Pixel to show the songs being played automatically on their phones. Song Search is another tile from system apps, just like the TV remote. It's basically a shortcut to the "hum to search" feature from Google.

If you have a Pixel, however, I also suggest adding the Now Playing button to your quick settings menu, as it's much more useful. Now Playing cannot recognize songs that a human sings or hums on the spot; however, this is why Song Search is incredibly useful.

If there's an earworm stuck in your head, you can use Song Search. But if you want to identify and save songs being played around you or on your device, Now Playing is a handy add on too. Google recently revamped Now Playing into a standalone app, and the new app tile is already available to Pixel users on Android 16.

Battery saver tile

If you haven't changed your stock settings, the battery saver should automatically switch on when your phone's battery drops below 20%. If you want to quickly toggle it on and off, go to the utilities section of tiles when editing your quick settings and add the battery saver shortcut.

Tapping a tile in the quick settings is a lot more convenient than digging through your phone's settings every time.

That's a wrap on my top six favorite quick settings tiles. Some of them might seem obvious, but what may be common practice for one individual can sometimes be a new idea to another. I hope this helped you configure your quick settings shortcuts better.

If you think I missed out on any other important tiles or any shortcut buttons that you value, let me know in the comments below!

What you need to know

• Android 17 Beta 3 finally delivers on its multitasking promise after earlier betas stalled with mostly backend changes.
• The new Bubbles system lets you run almost any app in floating windows for real multitasking.
• Screen recording gets a floating control panel with quick edit, share, and delete options.
• Quick Settings are simplified with separate Wi-Fi and mobile data toggles (finally).

Android 17 Beta 1 arrived in mid-February with the typical behind-the-scenes updates. Just a week later, Beta 2 introduced the idea of the “Bubbles” windowing framework, but you couldn’t actually use it yet. Now, Beta 3 is here a month after the last release, and this time, Google has finally delivered on its promise.

Android 17 Beta 3 is now available for Pixel 6 and newer devices, reaching the platform stability milestone, as noted by Google's community engagement manager for Android, Mishaal Rahman, on Reddit. This means the SDK and NDK APIs are set, so developers can start releasing apps for Android 17 on the Play Store. The main news, though, is that multitasking is finally complete.

With Bubbles, you can open almost any app in a floating window that stays above others. Just long-press an app icon on the launcher or taskbar, pick the “bubble” option, and you’re multitasking. On foldables and tablets, you can also drag an icon from the taskbar to a bottom corner. For larger screens, there’s a new bubble bar UI where bubbles pin to the taskbar instead of floating, and you can organize and move them between set points.

The screen recording toolbar has a new look. When you tap the Quick Settings tile, you’ll see a floating toolbar with recording controls and capture options. After you stop recording, you can quickly view, edit, delete, or share your video.

Quick Settings are improved as well. The combined “Internet” tile has been replaced with separate tiles for Wi-Fi and mobile data. Tap the icon to turn the radio on or off, or tap the label to open the full Internet panel. It now takes fewer taps to do basic tasks, making you wonder why this wasn’t done sooner.

Widgets now work correctly on external displays. If you’ve connected your phone to a monitor and seen widgets appear at the wrong sizes, this update fixes that. The system now automatically adjusts padding, text size, and layout based on the display’s density.

You can now hide app labels on the home screen. The option is under Wallpaper & style > Home screen > Icons > Names. Turn off “Show app names” for a cleaner look. Folders and the app drawer still show labels; this only affects the home screen.

Beta 3 also adds interactive Picture-in-Picture for Desktop mode, a new feature for Android’s desktop windowing. Apps can now keep their PiP window interactive while staying on top of other windows. For example, a video conferencing app can keep call controls available while you use other apps.

Additionally, the third beta adds a setting that notifies you when the clock changes, such as during daylight saving time. It’s a small improvement, but anyone who’s been caught off guard by a time change will find it helpful.

Accessibility gets granular

Accessibility and audio features have also improved. If you use hearing aids, you can now choose where system sounds play. Notifications, ringtones, and alarms can each go to your hearing aid or your device’s speaker separately.

There’s also a new Assistant volume slider that is separate from media volume.

The expanded dark theme now allows per-app exceptions. Android 16 QPR2 forced dark mode on apps that didn’t support it, which sometimes caused display issues. With Beta 3, you can turn off the dark theme for individual apps, so the system stays dark but certain apps can show their normal appearance.

There are also new privacy features. Password visibility now depends on how you type: physical keyboards hide characters right away for better privacy, while touch input still briefly shows them to make up for the lack of tactile feedback.

There’s also a new Location Button that apps can add. When you tap it, the app gets your precise location just for that session, with no system dialog and no permanent permission.

What you need to know

• Google's new Android Canary build hints at fixes for long-standing usability issues in the OS.
• Separate Wi-Fi and mobile data toggles may return.
• A native App Lock feature could let users secure apps without relying on third-party solutions.
• Other UI changes like app bubbles, blur effects, and redesigned menus are also in early testing.

Google has released a new Canary build for Android, suggesting the company may finally address some long-standing annoyances in the OS.

Google has moved away from Developer Previews and shifted to a Canary-based release cycle. Now, before testing features with developers and public beta users, Google experiments with new changes through Canary builds. The latest Canary build (2603) introduces several features that could fix some of the more frustrating aspects of Android (via Android Authority).

One of the biggest changes is the return of separate Wi-Fi and mobile data toggles. Until Android 11, Google offered separate switches for both, but later merged them into a single Internet toggle. That change made it a two-step process to disable Wi-Fi or mobile data. With this Canary build, Google appears to be bringing back the simpler one-step controls.

In addition, Google is testing a new App lock feature, similar to what other Android skins and even iOS offer. This will allow users to lock apps using a PIN, pattern, password, or fingerprint, even on Pixel devices, without relying on third-party apps. The feature can be accessed by long pressing an app icon.

Google is also working on an app bubbles feature. This lets you open apps in floating windows by long pressing an app icon and selecting the bubble option. These bubbles can be moved around the screen and, when tapped, expand into a floating window similar to picture-in-picture mode. You can dismiss them by dragging them to the bottom or using a dedicated dismiss option.

Alongside these, Google is testing additional UI changes, including more blur effects across the system, a redesigned long press menu for app icons, and updated layouts for screen recording and permission dialogs. The new long press menu separates app shortcuts from system actions like App info, Pause, App lock, and Bubble into distinct sections.

If you want to try these features, keep in mind that Canary builds are not available through standard over-the-air updates. You will need to manually flash them using the Android Flash Tool, and installing these builds may wipe all data on your device.

What you need to know

• Google says Android will retain its side-loading capabilities; however, it won't be without a new "advanced flow" for power-users.
• Through this, users will need to activate developer mode on their device and run through a series of confirmations and verifications to ensure it's truly them that wants to do this.
• Last year, Google said it planned to make side-loading a relic on Android, but it seems that users' voices were loud, voicing their displeasure with this idea.

Side-loading is a touchy subject for some; it bears risks, Google knows this, which is why it's detailing a major change for users.

An Android Developers Blog post today (Mar 19) discussed how Google is looking to balance "openness and choice" for users looking to side-load on their phones. Something like this concerns more of the power-user base, as Google highlights, adding that it's "worked with the community" for a robust change: the "Advanced Flow." This advanced flow will be a required aspect for users looking to side-load, but Google states this is a "one-time" thing.

To get started, Android users will need to head into their System settings and activate "developer mode." Users will then be required to confirm that they're "not being coached." Google has this step here as, according to its research, roughly 57% of adults experienced a scam in 2025, resulting in billions of dollars lost. After confirming that "no one is pressuring you," Google will require you to reboot your Android device.

The Developer post states this will "cut off any remote access or active phone calls a scammer might be using to watch what you’re doing." Though activating the advanced flow is a one-time deal, there is a one-day wait before users can verify it's truly them making this change.

Confirmation is done via biometrics or your device's PIN. Once this is done, Google says you're free to side-load the apps you want from developers you trust outside of the Play Store.

It's your choice, but stay safe

The advanced flow for Android users will arrive in August, ahead of Google's new developer verification requirements. Joining this debut will be "limited distribution accounts." These accounts are designed for students and hobbyists, giving them the ability to share apps with others (up to 20 devices) without paying the registration fee or providing a government-issued ID.

This announcement from Google is interesting, considering it stated last year that it planned to make side-loading a thing of the past. It reported that it would require all developers to verify themselves, which would see their product placed on the Play Store for download. The original timeline set things for September 2026 in places where shady, scam-filled apps were prevalent (Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand). While this was seen as a major step toward a safer Android environment, not everyone feels the same.

With the advanced flow, it seems Android is retaining what users enjoyed about it previously by ensuring users recognize the risks involved and can take their own measures to protect themselves.

Android Central's Take

I'm sure users who actively engage in side-loading are raising an eyebrow to this change by Google. It seems like the company is trying to bridge that gap, keeping its "openness" while also bringing in as much security as it can to protect people. Once the verifications have come through, it's entirely in the user's hands to do what they will (hopefully with safety in mind). Also, this isn't really a change that's going to bother the everyday user. If you stick to what's on the Play Store, you'll continue doing so, and Google's new verification requirements for devs will bolster that security this year, too.

What you need to know

• Google just announced its March Pixel Drop, and it's packed with features rolling out to Pixel devices first before hitting more Android phones.
• Live location sharing is now built into Google Messages, so you can share your real-time location directly in a chat without switching apps.
• Google Play adds short app preview videos, allowing you to scroll through bite-sized demos to quickly see how apps work before downloading them.
• Find Hub now helps recover lost luggage by creating a secure tracking link for your tagged bag and sharing it directly with supported airlines.

Google's latest Pixel Drop is here, and it packs in meaningful upgrades across messaging, app discovery, calling, in-car entertainment, and even luggage recovery.

Here’s what’s new

Now you don't have to switch between apps just to share your location. Android lets you send your live location right in Google Messages, thanks to Find Hub.

Meeting friends at a concert or getting picked up at the airport? Just tap to share your real-time location in the chat. You control how long it's active and can stop sharing whenever you like.

App discovery is getting an update as well. Google Play is adding short videos that let you preview apps in a scrollable feed before you download them. These quick demos cover wellness apps, photography tools, shopping platforms, webtoons, and more, all within the Play Store.

Instead of scrolling through lots of reviews or static screenshots, you can quickly see how the app works.

Android is also introducing custom Calling Cards in the Phone app. You can create your own caller ID by choosing a photo, font, and color. When you call someone, they'll see your personalized card instead of the standard one. You can share it with everyone or just your saved contacts, and you can edit or remove it at any time.

Android Auto is adding something helpful for parents: teacher-approved kids’ games. These games are designed for ages 3 to 12 and include titles like Kids Games: For Toddlers 3-5, LetraKid: Writing ABC for Kids, Disney Coloring World, Marvel HQ: Kids Super Hero Fun, and Draw a Stickman: EPIC 3.

Emoji Kitchen in Gboard is getting more options, letting you mix new combinations like 🧀 + 🌹 for a “cheesy” gesture or 🎷 + 🦨 for something a bit more scent-sational.

Find Hub now shares luggage location with airlines

While the main news is the overall Android update, Find Hub is also getting a travel-focused upgrade that could help you avoid a lot of stress.

If you have a compatible tracker tag on your luggage, you can now create a secure link in the Find Hub app and share it directly with airlines that support this feature.

Just open the app, tap “share item location,” copy the unique link, and paste it into the airline’s app or website. The airline will then be able to see your bag’s live location as it updates. The links automatically expire after seven days, you can stop sharing whenever you want, and sharing turns off once your phone senses the item is back with you. Your location data is also encrypted.

Over 10 major global airlines already support this feature, including Ajet, Air India, China Airlines, Saudia Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and the Lufthansa Group. Qantas is expected to join soon.

Behind the scenes, Google worked with SITA and Reunitus to connect with WorldTracer and NetTracer, which are baggage systems used by hundreds of airlines at thousands of airports around the world. This feature is designed to fit right into the systems airlines already use.

Android Central's Take

What I really like about this update is that it doesn't try to completely change your phone. There's no new AI assistant taking over your home screen, and no flashy redesign that takes weeks to get used to. Instead, Google focused on fixing the small annoyances we all face and made things easier.

I can't count how many times I've sent a "where are you?" text and then spent ten minutes trying to find someone over the phone. Now, I just drop a pin in Messages and that's it. The luggage feature is also genuinely helpful. Airlines have always kept our bag locations in their own systems, but now we can share the coordinates ourselves. It's the kind of update you might not notice until you need it, and then you really appreciate it.

What you need to know

• In Android 17 Beta 2, users can now turn any application into a floating bubble by long-pressing on the app icon in the launcher.
• Cross-device app Handoff lets you continue tasks seamlessly across Android devices.
• A system-level contact picker now limits apps to temporary read-only contact access.
• Android 17 beta 2 expands SMS OTP protection and strengthens local network privacy.

Google faced a few issues with the rollout of the first Android 17 beta, but the company is not waiting long for the next release. Google has already started rolling out Android 17 beta 2 for developers.

While it may seem like not much time has passed, Android 17 beta 2 is shaping up to be a fairly significant update with several new features and plenty of bug fixes, including a bug that caused spontaneous reboots and interface freezes.

Android 17 beta 2 comes with build number CP21.260206.011 and is roughly 510MB in size. Google has addressed multiple bugs in this release, but it has also quietly introduced several new features under the hood.

One of the new additions is the Bubbles feature. Google describes Bubbles as a windowing mode feature, similar to how conversations already appear in bubbles on Android.

With Android 17 beta 2, users can now create app bubbles by long-pressing an app icon in the launcher. On large screens, there is also a dedicated bubble bar in the taskbar where users can organize, move, and manage bubbles more easily.

Android 17 beta 2 brings real multitasking

There is also a new system-level contact picker. Instead of apps requiring full access to your contacts, Android can now grant temporary read-only access to specific contact fields requested by the user.

Alongside this, Google is introducing a new Cross-device app handoff feature. The handoff feature allows you to start an activity on one device and continue it seamlessly on another. For example, you could start writing a note on an app your Android phone and continue exactly where you left off on your Android tablet.

Apple has offered something similar through Continuity, and now Google is bringing its own version to Android.

When active, Android displays a handoff suggestion in the launcher on nearby devices. Google says the feature is designed to enable seamless task continuity across the Android ecosystem.

According to the company, Handoff supports both native app-to-app transitions and app-to-web fallback, meaning the experience works even if the native app is not installed on the receiving device.

Additionally, Android 17 beta 2 also introduces a new EyeDropper API that allows developers to request a color from any pixel on the display without requiring sensitive screen capture permissions. There are also several privacy improvements, including expanded SMS OTP protection and new safeguards against unauthorized local network access.

If you want to try Android 17 beta 2, make sure your Pixel device is enrolled in the Android Beta Program. OTA update has already started rolling out, but if the update has not appeared yet, you can sideload it or flash the factory image manually. Otherwise, you can wait for the stable release of Android 17, which is expected in mid-2026.

Apple introduced Face ID on iPhone in 2017, and comparable Android facial recognition features have lagged behind ever since. Of course, Apple's approach isn't perfect either. iPhones have large pill-shaped camera cutouts or notches that house the additional sensors and technology required for Apple's Face ID feature. Android phones, by comparison, typically have smaller hole-punch camera cutouts or under display cameras. However, it's apparent that Android's facial recognition support isn't as good as Apple's Face ID.

That could be changing in the future, as a new report from Android Authority reveals Google is working on an advanced facial recognition project for Android and ChromeOS called Project Toscana. Android Authority's source reportedly got to use Project Toscana on a Pixel phone with a typical hole-punch camera cutout and on two Chromebooks with unfinished, external camera assemblies. According to the report, Google's upcoming facial recognition system worked just as well as Face ID on an iPhone.

The test is said to have been conducted with various lighting conditions, and Project Toscana reportedly kept pace with Face ID throughout. It could be a sign that Google is finally making steps to improve Android's facial recognition reliability in poor lighting. Although it's not confirmed which technology is powering Project Toscana, IR sensors are one possibility. The exciting part here is that Google seemingly managed to upgrade Android's face unlock chops without adding larger sensors in the display.

It's also unclear whether Google could use under-display sensors to power the feature or strictly rely on the single hole-punch camera. We don't know when (or if) the technology might release, either. However, it's looking like Google Pixel phones and Chromebooks are about to get a major face unlock upgrade, and it's worth getting excited about — on one condition.

The problem with Android's face unlock features

Android uses three levels to describe the security of biometric features: Class 1 (lowest), Class 2 (middle), and Class 3 (highest). These were previously called Convenience, Weak, and Strong, respectively. Google designates biometric sensors as one of the three levels based on their secure pipeline and the three acceptance rate metrics known as Spoof Acceptance Rate (SAR), Imposter Acceptance Rate (IAR), and False Acceptance Rates (FAR). In simple terms, these metrics try to pinpoint how easy a biometric sensor can be tricked or bypassed.

Class 2 or Class 3 biometrics can be used for secure actions, while Class 1 biometrics cannot. Class 3 biometrics specifically grant access to BiometricPrompt and the Android Keystore for use within other apps, like banking apps or Google Wallet. Google Pixel's face unlock became a Class 3 biometric starting with the Pixel 8 series. The basic implementation available on the Google Pixel 7 series didn't meet this standard and could only be used for unlocking the devices.

That seemingly addresses the security concerns, but Google's machine learning algorithm used to provide Class 3 facial recognition on the Pixel 8 series and later doesn't work well without light. In dark environments, you may be forced to use your password or fingerprint.

By comparison, Apple's Face ID systems use a "TrueDepth" camera system with a laser dot projector, flood illuminator, and an infrared camera. The combination of sensors allows Face ID to reconstruct a 3D model of your face and works regardless of ambient lighting. Apple claims Face ID has a false positive rate of 1 in 1,000,000, which is much better than the fingerprint-based Touch ID it replaced.

While the Face ID false positive rate is excellent, the camera system is large and cuts deeper into the display than the average Android camera sensor. Google's Project Toscana could split the middle, using advanced facial recognition that works in low lighting conditions without requiring a larger camera cutout.

I can't give up fingerprint sensors regardless of how good face unlock gets

That all sounds well and good, but I have one request for Google: don't make the same as Apple. It's true that Face ID is powerful, secure, and technologically advanced, but it's also a nuisance. Apple puts either Face ID or Touch ID on their products for biometrics, but it should really be both. In some situations, I'd rather use my finger to unlock my device than my face. Personally, I find Touch ID and fingerprint sensors in general to unlock my device quicker and more consistently than facial recognition systems.

In fact, I never set up facial recognition on my Android phones, and instead rely on fingerprint sensors entirely. I wouldn't be willing give them up — even for a reliable and advanced facial recognition system. It's worth noting that there are no signs Google is mulling the idea of adding Project Toscana as an alternative to fingerprint readers, at least on Pixel phones.

That said, Google did remove the fingerprint sensor on the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL back in the day in favor of a face unlock feature. Apple did the same on every flagship iPhone released since the iPhone X in 2017. It's not an unprecedented decision, especially for Google, but it would be a mistake.

Google, give us a better face unlock experience and keep the fingerprint sensor around, because extra options are rarely a bad thing.

What you need to know

• Android 17 beta 1 includes a few subtle UI changes.
• The home screen search bar now has a slimmer design and is now customizable, letting users swap AI Mode for tools like Gemini Live or Translate.
• Users can finally remove the At a Glance widget from the Pixel home screen.
• Minor UI tweaks include a refreshed brightness icon in Quick Settings and clearer volume panel settings access.

While Android 17 may not look drastically different from Android 16 at first glance, Google has quietly introduced two small UI tweaks to the Pixel Launcher.

After some initial confusion, Google finally rolled out Android 17 beta 1 February 13, 2026. The update focuses primarily on larger changes, such as improving the large-screen experience and boosting performance. However, it also includes a few subtle UI changes within the Pixel Launcher.

The most noticeable change centers around the home screen search bar. On Android 16, the search bar featured thick colored borders. With Android 17, Google appears to have reverted to a slimmer design that closely resembles the older style many users were familiar with.

One small but meaningful update is that the shortcut now sits inside the search bar rather than outside it. More importantly, the shortcut is now customizable. While it defaults to an AI Mode shortcut, you can swap it for tools like Gemini Live, Translate, Song Search, Weather, Dictionary, and more.

Tapping a shortcut updates the search bar instantly, and selecting it launches the chosen feature. At the moment, there doesn't appear to be an option to replace the voice search or Google Lens shortcuts.

In addition, Android 17 beta 1 introduces the ability to remove the At a Glance widget from the home screen. Although Google previously tested this with select users in the Android 16 QPR3 betas, it now seems widely available in Android 17 beta 1. You can remove it by long-pressing the widget and then removing the widget from Pixel Launcher settings.

There are a few other minor UI tweaks as well. The volume panel now includes a settings icon at the bottom for clearer access to volume controls, and the brightness icon in Quick Settings appears to have been refreshed. As always, these changes could change or disappear in future beta builds.

Android Central's Take

The ability to customize the search bar is a genuinely welcome addition. While I enjoy using AI Mode, I also frequently use Google for sports updates and Song Search, so being able to switch the shortcut makes the experience more flexible. I just hope Google eventually lets us customize more of the shortcuts in the future.

Original story follows:

What you need to know

• Google has released Android 17 beta 1 shortly after wrapping up Android 16 QPR3 testing.
• Android 17 will force developers to optimize apps for foldables and large-screen devices.
• The update brings performance gains, including improved garbage collection and memory handling.

Google has officially released the first Android 17 beta for developers, bringing a few important changes to how Android works across different devices.

Earlier today, Google confirmed that testing for Android 16 QPR3 had finished and that the company was ready to begin Android 17 beta testing. Just a few hours later, the first Android 17 beta has gone live. Google says this release is part of its "continuous drumbeat of updates" aimed at making Android better for both developers and users.

As for what's new in Android 17 beta 1, the biggest change is that Google is now pushing developers to properly adapt their apps for big-screen devices. Devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, Pixel 10 Pro Fold, other foldables, and even Android's desktop mode still struggle with apps that are not optimized for larger displays.

With Android 17, Google is taking a firmer stance and requiring developers to improve support.

Android 17 promises big improvements for large-screen devices

Google says Android 17 introduces the "next phase of our adaptive roadmap," meaning developers will no longer be able to opt out of orientation and resizability requirements. In short, apps will have to properly support large-screen devices.

Alongside this, Android 17 also brings performance improvements, including a new "generational garbage collection" system designed to reduce CPU usage and custom notification restrictions to lower memory consumption.

Additionally, Android 17 adds new professional-grade tools for media and camera apps, aiming to deliver a more consistent listening experience across apps and hardware, as well as smoother transitions between different camera modes.

Google has not shared details about major UI changes yet, but we're installing the build now to see what else might be new.

How to install Android 17 beta 1 on your Google Pixel

If you want to try Android 17 beta 1 on your compatible Pixel device, you'll need to enroll in the Android Beta Program.

Start by visiting the official Android Beta Program website from your browser and sign in with the same Google account as your Pixel. Then, find your device in the "Your eligible devices" list and select opt in.

After that, go to Settings > System > Software updates, check for the Android 17 beta 1 build, and install the available update.

Android Central's Take

With the first Android 17 beta, Google is clearly preparing for a future with more Android-powered computing devices. Forcing developers to properly support orientation and resizability clearly indicates that Google wants apps to fully embrace large-screen and windowed experiences.

I'm excited to see where Android heads this year, and hopefully we'll get a clearer look at Google's broader vision at I/O 2026.

What you need to know

• Google has released the final Android 16 QPR3 build, signaling testing is now complete.
• Enrolled beta users will automatically transition to the upcoming Android 17 beta program.
• Google has confirmed Android 17 testing is next, though no exact rollout date has been shared.

Google has officially announced that it has finished testing Android 16 QPR3, as it has released the final build. This also means the company is preparing to roll out the first beta for Android 17.

Android 16 QPR3 has been in testing for some time. Google released the second Android 16 QPR3 beta last month, and now, just about a month later, it has released the final build, Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2.1, for developers. The new version carries build number CP11.251209.009.A1 and is available for all compatible Pixel phones.

The update is around 100 MB in size, going up to 123 MB for the Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 series, which is relatively large for a minor 0.1 update. However, Google has not specified exactly what has been fixed in this beta. That said, you can download and install the latest build if you're enrolled in the Android beta program by heading to Settings > System > Software updates.

Android 16 QPR3 testing is officially done

This also confirms that with Android 16 QPR3 testing now complete, Google is preparing to begin the Android 17 beta program.

Google announced on Reddit's r/android_beta that Android 16 QPR3 has finished testing and that it is looking forward to the Android 17 Platform Release, referred to internally as 26Q2.

Those enrolled in the Android 16 QPR3 beta will automatically be moved to the Android 17 beta program, so there's no need to enroll again. Google has not shared an exact start date for the Android 17 beta, but we expect it to begin sooner rather than later.

As for the Android 16 QPR3 stable rollout, since Google has finished testing, we expect the company to release the stable build in early March 2026. The last major Android 16 QPR2 update was released in December, so it makes sense for Google to roll out QPR3, the next quarterly platform release, in March.

Android Central's Take

Exciting. Android's development cycle has clearly accelerated over the past couple of years, and it's interesting to see Google prepare a new major release just as the current one wraps up. We still do not know what Android 17 will bring, but given the version bump, I'm expecting meaningful changes.

What you need to know

• Google is positioning Gemini as a core part of Android's push toward becoming a full desktop-level operating system.
• New strings reveal Gemini will stay pinned to the top right corner of Android's upcoming desktop interface.
• Users will be able to launch Gemini instantly using a dedicated keyboard shortcut with the Google key and Space.

Google is pushing hard to turn Android into a desktop-level OS, and if recent leaks are accurate, Gemini will sit at the center of that experience.

We recently got our first look at Google's upcoming Aluminium OS, offering an early glimpse at what the company sees as a ChromeOS replacement. At first glance, it did not look dramatically different from Android's existing desktop mode, aside from a slightly taller status bar with a clearly visible Gemini icon.

Now, we have more clarity on just how prominent that Gemini integration will be. As spotted by 9to5Google, the latest beta of the Google app (version 17.5) includes new strings referencing Gemini on Android desktop. These strings explicitly state that Gemini will always be available in the "top right corner of your screen."

The strings also reveal a keyboard shortcut for quick access: Google key + Space to launch Gemini. It's worth noting that the new Chromebook Plus laptops already feature a dedicated Google icon key, and this shortcut appears to be designed around that layout.

While the strings don't spell out exactly what Gemini will be capable of on Android desktop, its placement in the status bar and the addition of a dedicated shortcut suggest Google has bigger plans in mind. Beyond the 9to5Google report, a video shared by Android Authority (below) also shows a Gemini animation appearing during the setup process of an Aluminium OS powered PC.

Android Central's Take

It's starting to come together. We've already seen Google work on letting Gemini control apps on Android phones, and giving it a permanent spot on Aluminium OS PCs points to a broader vision.

The company may be building toward a more agent-like experience, where Gemini can manage and interact with different parts of the system proactively. It's still speculative for now, but with Google's recent push into agentic AI, it won't be surprising.

What you need to know

• Android 17 may introduce a frosted, translucent blur UI inspired by iOS 26 across more system elements.
• Google appears to be expanding blur effects beyond notifications to menus like volume and power controls.
• Leaks suggest Android 17 builds on Material 3 Expressive but shifts away from solid color backgrounds.
• The move makes Android's UI feel less distinct compared to Material 3's original vision.

Google appears to be working on the next version of Android, Android 17, and some early leaks suggest we might be getting an Apple iOS 26-inspired frosted, glass-like blur design.

Android 16 brought one of Google's biggest visual overhauls to date with Material 3 Expressive, and it looks like the company is building on that foundation. Right now, Android 16 uses solid background colors across UI elements like the volume panel and app shortcuts, with colors dynamically pulled from your wallpaper.

With Android 17, Google seems to be moving in a new direction. A report from 9to5Google suggests the update will introduce blur across more UI elements, replacing solid light and dark backgrounds with translucent layers that let content underneath subtly show through.

Android Authority built on this with our first look at how the new UI might appear. The leaked images show the blur effect applied to areas like the volume menu, volume slider, and power menu, with background elements clearly visible beneath.

Android 16 already uses a similar effect in the notification shade, Quick Settings, and app drawer, so this looks like Google expanding that visual language across more parts of the OS. The company might even integrate this look to more of its first-party apps.

Of course, things could still change before Google officially unveils Android 17 later this year, but given that the design has already surfaced in leaks, it seems likely this direction will stick in some form.

Android Central's Take

Google adding more blur across Android 17 does not come as a surprise. Many Chinese smartphone makers like Xiaomi, Oppo, and Honor have already leaned heavily into iOS 26-style translucent UI effects, so it was only a matter of time before Google followed suit.

That said, it does feel a bit disappointing. Material 3 Expressive finally gave Android a look that felt distinct, and while this is still very much Material 3 at its core, it is hard to ignore that the UI now feels more borrowed than bold.