Alongside the Pixel 10 collection, Pixel Watch 4, and the Pixel Buds 2a, Google dropped the primary beta of Android 16’s second quarterly platform launch. Android 16 QPR1 ought to go steady in September, whereas QPR2 will roll out to the general public in December.
In contrast to QPR1, the second Quarterly Platform Launch of Android 16 might be a minor SDK launch, specializing in enhancing the person expertise and offering builders with newer and extra highly effective APIs. This might be the primary occasion of Google delivering new APIs through a quarterly Android replace.
In its announcement, Google additionally offered a launch timeline for Android 16 QPR2. The subsequent main beta construct ought to land in September, with the October launch bringing a code freeze and Platform Stability.
Beneath is a quick changelog from Google highlighting the modifications in Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1:
UI, System Expertise, and Accessibility
- Expanded Darkish Theme
- Auto-Themed App Icons
- Interactive Chooser Periods
- Smoother Android Migrations
- PDF Doc Annotation and Enhancing
- Show Topology API
- Machine-aware ViewConfiguration
- Granular Haptic Suggestions Management
- Fast Settings Tile Classes
- IAMF Decoding Assist
- Private Audio Sharing in Output Switcher
- New AAudio APIs
- HDR/SDR Brightness Slider
- Connectivity
- Companion Machine Administration Enhancements
- MediaRouter Community Privateness Enhancements
- Safe Lock Machine
- Cellphone Theft Safety Toggle
- Widget Engagement Metrics
- Early Warnings for 16KB Web page Dimension Compatibility
- Enhanced Profiling
- Extra Strong Multi-Show Testing
The highlights embody lock display widget help on telephones, pressured themed icons for apps, expanded darkish mode help, a new 90:10 split-screen possibility, and controls for HDR brightness when viewing pictures and movies.
You may set up Android 16 QPR2 beta immediately
In case your Pixel cellphone is already enrolled within the Android beta program, the QPR2 beta 1 OTA ought to routinely present up for obtain in your machine. The replace works with all present Pixel telephones, from the Pixel 6 as much as the Pixel 9 collection.
If you wish to downgrade your Pixel to Android 16’s steady launch, do not set up the QPR2 beta. As a substitute, watch for the QPR1 steady launch, which ought to arrive in early September. Google will then push an OTA to your cellphone, letting you turn to the general public channel with out dropping information.