It is solely been a number of weeks since Google rolled out the Android 16 QPR3 replace, which introduced modifications like the power to cover the At a Look widget, customise navigation buttons, and allow Desktop mode for all, however the firm is not slowing down simply but.
Much like Android 16, Google kicked off this 12 months’s accelerated Android growth cycle, with new options already displaying up in Canary builds. These will finally make their strategy to the Android 17 beta and, later, the secure launch.
With the secure Android 17 launch coming round June 2026, Google has already teased a few of the options which can be anticipated within the replace. Listed here are a few of the options I am unable to wait to attempt.
6 options that Android 16 must rejuvenate the OS
There’s loads of room for Google to make these needed modifications
Separate Wi-Fi and cellular information toggles
Lastly undoing this annoying change
One of many worst modifications Google has made to Android in recent times, for my part, is the unified web toggle.
On Pixel units, if you wish to swap between Wi-Fi and cellular information or flip both of them on or off, it’s important to open Fast Settings, faucet the Web tile, after which select what you need.
Fortunately, it seems like Google is lastly undoing this with the upcoming Android 17 replace, as you can add separate Wi-Fi and cellular information toggles to Fast Settings once more.
Most different Android skins, together with Samsung’s One UI, already supply this, however Google moved away from it on Pixel units. Now, it is lastly giving customers the selection to return.
App lock: Add one other layer of privateness to your property display screen
Shield delicate apps with a easy lock
One other characteristic that is out there on most Android skins is the power to lock particular person apps. It seems like Google is lastly bringing this with an upcoming Android replace.
You’ll lock apps immediately out of your Pixel’s residence display screen utilizing a PIN, sample, password, or biometrics like fingerprint or face unlock, with out counting on third-party apps.
The choice to lock an app will seem within the fast actions menu whenever you long-press an app icon.
Google notes that after an app is locked, its notifications can be hidden, together with any related shortcuts and widgets.
The corporate additionally provides that sure AI options, like Gemini’s display screen automation, should still be capable to work together with the app relying on permissions.
Google will even notify you if different apps have entry to the app you are locking. For instance, for those who lock Google Images, you may get a immediate explaining that different apps with entry to your images should still be capable to view them.
That mentioned, a local app lock is a welcome addition, particularly since customers beforehand needed to depend on the Non-public House characteristic.
App bubbles: Make multitasking simpler
Rapidly swap between completely different apps
Along with app lock, Google can be bringing the power to show any app right into a floating bubble for faster entry.
For instance, for those who’re researching one thing in Chrome whereas taking notes in Google Preserve, you can convert Preserve right into a floating bubble.
This allows you to proceed utilizing Chrome whereas rapidly opening Preserve in a small window everytime you want it, as a substitute of regularly switching between apps or counting on the split-screen view (which makes the entire space to work with smaller, for my part).
Till now, Android has solely allowed conversations to look as bubbles, however that is the primary time Google is extending the characteristic to full apps natively. Consider this characteristic considerably just like how one can see movies in picture-in-picture (PiP), however for whole apps.
Much like PiP movies, you can shut an app bubble by merely dragging it to the underside of the display screen.
This characteristic needs to be particularly helpful on large-screen Android units like foldables, the place there’s extra display screen area to multitask comfortably, and I am unable to wait to attempt it on my Pixel 10 Professional Fold.
Right here’s how Android 17’s App Lock will deal with notifications
Android Canary 2601 spills the beans
Means to cover app names on the house display screen
Make your Pixel’s residence display screen a lot cleaner
Constructing on bettering the house display screen expertise, with the launch of Android 17 Beta 3, Google has additionally launched a characteristic that lets customers disguise app labels on the house display screen.
Proper now, on Pixel telephones, each app icon is paired with its title beneath it, however this new choice helps create a cleaner and extra minimal setup.
To disable app names, go to Wallpaper & type, faucet Residence display screen, choose Icons, then faucet the Names tab on the backside and flip off the Present app names toggle.
Tweaking this setting will solely apply to apps on the house display screen and won’t have an effect on apps within the app drawer or these inside folders.
Display recording is getting extra highly effective
Extra controls and a preview display screen
Proper now, whenever you faucet the display screen recording tile in Fast Settings, a easy pop-up seems asking if you wish to file a single app or your entire display screen, together with choices for microphone and system audio.
Google is now upgrading this expertise with a extra refined UI within the upcoming Android replace.
Now, whenever you faucet the display screen recording tile, a brand new floating tablet interface will present up. From right here, it is possible for you to to decide on what to file, whether or not it is a single app or the total display screen, and tweak choices like microphone audio and whether or not to point out touches.
When recording begins, you may see a standing indicator within the standing bar. Tapping it brings again the floating tablet UI. What’s new is what occurs after the recording ends.
As a substitute of saving on to the gallery, you may now see a preview display screen the place you’ll be able to play the clip, edit it, share it, or delete it immediately.
That is just like how screenshots are dealt with, however Google is bringing the same seamless course of for display screen recordings as nicely.
Permissions UI is getting a cleaner look
Simpler to grasp and handle entry
As noticed by 9to5Google, Google can be redesigning elements of the permissions UI in Android. Proper now, when an app requests entry, like location, you see a dialog with choices for Exact and Approximate, together with decisions like permitting entry solely whereas utilizing the app or denying it.
With the subsequent Android replace, Google is making this clearer. You will see a checkbox-style design for Exact and Approximate choices, making it simpler to grasp which one is chosen.
I exploit these secret Android tips each day — this is why you must, too
These make Android far more helpful
Not all options might make the ultimate construct
Like earlier Android betas, not all of those modifications might make it to the secure construct. However since Google is already testing them, there is a good probability a few of them will make it to the ultimate launch.
That mentioned, these options aren’t out there within the secure construct proper now. However if you wish to swap issues up and make your cellphone really feel quicker, there are a number of settings you’ll be able to tweak to enhance the general expertise.