[Google Pixel Update📱] Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3.3 now available!

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TL;DR

• Google is testing a cleaner lock screen layout for Pixels that repositions elements of the At a Glance widget.
• The date and weather are moved below or beside the clock, while the informational complication is separated.
• Spotted in Android 16 Beta 4, this cleaner layout isn’t enabled by default yet and its official release date is unknown.

One of the best Pixel-only features is the tight integration of Google’s At a Glance widget with the Pixel Launcher and the lock screen. While the At a Glance widget is available on other Android devices, the Pixel version offers significantly more features. The At a Glance widget is prominently positioned at the top of the Pixel Launcher homepage on Pixel devices, but its placement is more dynamic on the lock screen. The current lock screen placement can feel cluttered, though, so Google is working on a new, cleaner layout.

The current lock screen layout on Google Pixel phones places the At a Glance widget above the clock when the clock is centered, and below the clock when it’s at the top. The widget has three complications: one showing the date, another showing the weather, and a third displaying snippets of information from the OS and select apps (like Google Clock) in a horizontally scrolling carousel. (Android’s widget APIs don’t allow for horizontally scrolling widgets, which is why At a Glance isn’t technically a widget, but it’s the closest term.)

Notifications appear below the At a Glance widget. The number of notifications that can fit on the screen depends on whether the third informational complication is visible, as its presence reduces the space available for notifications.

Here’s a set of screenshots showing the current lock screen layout in Android 15 for reference:

Hidden in the fourth beta of Android 16 is a new lock screen layout that relocates the At a Glance widget’s complications. The date and weather complications move below the clock when it’s centered and to the right of the clock when it’s at the top. The informational complication is now separate, sitting at the top when there are no notifications and below the clock when notifications are present. This separation results in a cleaner overall look for the lock screen.

Here’s a set of screenshots showing the new lock screen layout that Google is testing:

The new lock screen layout isn’t enabled by default in Android 16 Beta 4, but it’s fully functional once manually activated. We don’t know when Google plans to release this new layout, but it might arrive alongside other lock screen changes, such as the new compact notification shelf. Google is experimenting with several changes to declutter the lock screen; some, like this new layout and the compact shelf, seem likely candidates for release, while others, like the transparent notifications feature, seem less likely to launch. We think Google will probably roll out this new lock screen layout, but likely not in the upcoming stable release of Android 16.

 

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TL;DR

• Google may finally add a double-tap gesture to turn off the screen on Pixel phones, a common feature available on competitor devices.
• Evidence for this lock screen gesture appeared in the latest Android 16 beta, and it functions as expected, though it’s not yet enabled for users.
• The official roll out of this feature is uncertain; it probably won’t make it into the stable Android 16 launch but might arrive in a later quarterly update.

Google Pixel phones are beloved for many reasons, and their software is chief among them. Google offers numerous Pixel-exclusive capabilities, like AI-powered features that simplify phone calls and photography. However, Pixel phones also frustratingly lack some basic features that users migrating from other brands often expect. One notable omission is a double-tap gesture to turn off the screen, but Google might finally be adding this feature to Pixel devices.

Many of the best Android phones from brands like Samsung, Xiaomi, and OnePlus let you turn the screen off by double-tapping the lock screen, but Pixel phones don’t offer this. Double-tapping the lock screen on a Pixel simply does nothing, which is odd considering you can double-tap the screen to turn it on.

Double-tap screen-off gesture in OnePlus' OxygenOS

Double-tap screen-off gesture in Samsung's One UI

Double-tap screen-off gesture in Xiaomi's HyperOS​

In the latest beta of Android 16, however, there’s evidence that Google is finally adding a gesture to turn off the screen with a double tap on the lock screen. However, this gesture isn’t active yet in Android 16 Beta 4, nor is there a user-facing setting to turn it on. Nonetheless, I was able to get it working, and it functions exactly as expected. With this new gesture, you can double tap on an empty spot of the lock screen to turn off your Pixel phone’s screen.



It’s surprising Google didn’t add this basic double-tap gesture sooner, but we’re glad the company is finally implementing it. We don’t know when the feature will officially roll out, though. Since it isn’t available in Beta 4, it’s unlikely to appear in the stable Android 16 release. The feature might arrive as early as the first quarterly update for Android 16, but we’ll have to wait and see. In the meantime, you can install a third-party app called Pixel Toolbox to enable this gesture now.

 

[limmk]

TL;DR

• Google is working on a big redesign of Android, and we have an early look at what the new UI looks like.
• Android will apply background blur to Quick Settings and other areas, will use thinner sliders for volume, will use new icons and font in the status bar, and more.
• These UI changes aren’t enabled yet in the latest beta, and we don’t know when they’ll roll out.

 

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TL;DR

• Google is adding expressive new animations to Android for interactions like dismissing notifications and toggling settings.
• Physics-based notification dismissals, shape-shifting Quick Setting tiles, and a power button ‘squeeze’ effect are incoming.
• A waveform appears on the volume slider during playback, and the lock screen clock gets a new tap animation.

 

[limmk]

TL;DR

• Google is developing its own DeX-like desktop mode for Android, and we got an early look at the unfinished feature on a Pixel phone.
• Android’s upcoming desktop mode includes a taskbar for pinned/recent apps and supports launching multiple apps in freeform, resizable windows.
• It adapts Android’s tablet windowing for external displays but likely won’t launch with Android 16, possibly arriving in a quarterly release or with Android 17.

One of the best features of Samsung Galaxy phones is Samsung DeX, a software feature that emulates a desktop UI. When you connect your Samsung phone to an external display, DeX presents a desktop-like interface allowing you to launch multiple apps in floating windows and control everything with a keyboard and mouse. While DeX remains exclusive to Samsung devices, Google is finally working on its own version. We now have a first look at what Android’s upcoming desktop mode will look like on Pixel phones.

Back in March, we spotted evidence that Google is developing a new developer option for Android’s desktop mode. Although I could surface the “enable desktop experience features” developer option, I couldn’t get the feature working on any of my Pixel devices. Recently, however, I successfully enabled Android’s desktop mode on one of my Pixel devices, giving me the opportunity to showcase the current state of Android’s take on a DeX-like experience.

Before I show you Android’s new desktop mode, keep in mind that what you’re about to see is Google’s unfinished work. Desktop mode almost certainly won’t launch in the upcoming Android 16 stable release, which is why we’re not referring to it as an Android 16 feature. Instead, it could arrive in one of the upcoming quarterly releases of Android 16, but if it does, it’ll likely be available only as an opt-in developer option. Google still has a lot of work to do before releasing its DeX competitor, but I’m hoping it’ll be ready for Android 17’s release next year.

The hidden "enable desktop experience features" toggle in Android 16. Note that the previously seen "Desktop View" text in the description was changed to say "desktop windowing" in Beta 4.

Before I show you Android’s new desktop mode, keep in mind that what you’re about to see is Google’s unfinished work. Desktop mode almost certainly won’t launch in the upcoming Android 16 stable release, which is why we’re not referring to it as an Android 16 feature. Instead, it could arrive in one of the upcoming quarterly releases of Android 16, but if it does, it’ll likely be available only as an opt-in developer option. Google still has a lot of work to do before releasing its DeX competitor, but I’m hoping it’ll be ready for Android 17’s release next year.

With that out of the way, here’s a video showing what Android’s desktop mode looks like right now:



Compared to the current, barebones desktop interface that appears when you connect a Pixel device to an external display, Android’s new desktop mode actually displays the taskbar and status bar. The taskbar is a big addition, as it provides access to your pinned apps and a better version of the app drawer. The taskbar can also show recent apps while in desktop mode, making it easier to multitask.

Speaking of multitasking, it’s possible to launch multiple apps in floating windows simultaneously using the new desktop mode. It’s also possible to freely move, resize, or snap windows to the side, just like on desktop operating systems. This makes it easy to drag and drop content from one app to another, provided the apps you’re using support drag-and-drop.

These features are considered table stakes for any desktop UI, but it’s important that Google nails the basics first. From what I can tell, Google is essentially adapting the desktop windowing mode available on tablets to phones that are hooked up to an external display. For context, Google introduced desktop windowing on tablets with the first quarterly release of Android 15, allowing tablets to launch multiple apps in freeform windows under a new windowing environment. This windowing environment only worked on the built-in display and not external ones, which is why it remained exclusive to tablets. It appears Google is now bringing this same windowing environment to external displays in an upcoming update.

This makes sense as a starting point, but a phone hooked up to an external display shouldn’t provide the exact same experience as a tablet. The phone’s screen is still usable, so there needs to be a way to control the phone using the same peripherals. As we already revealed, though, Google is adding PC-like external display tools to Android, including the ability to rearrange displays, seamlessly move the mouse between them, and more.



Google’s version of desktop mode is long overdue, but I’m still here for it. If the company truly wants to unify its desktop operating efforts behind Android, then it needs to beef up Android’s desktop windowing capabilities. Making desktop mode available to more Android devices will go a long way in making Android apps work better on large screens. I’m just hoping that Google commits to this project and doesn’t release it in a half-baked state.

 

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What you need to know​

• Android 16 is about to bring a robust Battery Health page to Pixel phones with key performance data.
• The page will show estimated battery capacity as a real-time percentage compared to a new battery.
• Notably, Google is confirming that only the Pixel 8a and newer will receive the useful features.

Google is adding a Battery Health statistics page to the Settings app for Pixel phones with Android 16, but most models won't be supported. The company says that the feature will be available "on Pixel 8a and Pixel 9 products including 9 Pro Fold" in a reply to an Issue Tracker ticket concerning Battery Health availability. That leaves out all Pixel models released before the Google Pixel 8a, including the rest of the Pixel 8 series and the original Pixel Fold.

"The Battery Health Indicator feature is currently supported in Beta 3 on Pixel 8a and Pixel 9 products including 9 Pro Fold," a Google employee wrote on May 1. "Due to product limitations, this feature will not be available on older in-market Pixel devices."

Newer Google Pixel devices already showed cycle count data as of last year, but the Battery Health page is set to bring more detailed analytics. Specifically, battery capacity will be shown as a percentage compared to its new state. This should give users an easy-to-understand idea of how their battery will perform on a daily basis, even years after their phone purchase.

"This [battery capacity] is an estimated percentage of charge the battery can currently hold compared to a new standard battery," the Battery Health page in the Android 16 beta explains. "Battery capacity decreases over time."

Additionally, the Battery Health page shows a green checkmark and a Normal status if the battery is working as expected. It also offers quick links to battery-related support articles, and lists any charging optimization features that are enabled — such as Adaptive Charging.

While it's unclear what "product limitations" prevent Pixel phones older than the Pixel 8a from supporting the Battery Health page, it may have something to do with the batteries themselves.

Starting with the Pixel 8a, Google says Pixel phones can reach 1,000 charge cycles before needing a battery replacement. Older Pixel phones, namely the Pixel 3 through Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel Fold, are only rated for up to 800 charge cycles before a battery replacement is recommended.

 

[limmk]

TL;DR

• Android 16 will have a new one-click toggle for Advanced Protection Mode, which enables more secure protections across the OS and even with apps.
• These settings cannot be adjusted, helping ensure a consistent security level.
• Some first-party apps like Google Messages and Phone by Google have Advanced Protection Mode settings, and more apps can too once the API is enabled.

These days, there’s no such thing as too much protection. People have their entire lives on their smartphones, and that means a lot of sensitive information and data too. Thankfully, a lot of phones have implemented some kind of security measures to keep your info safe, and Google’s taking it one step further with Android 16’s Advanced Protection Mode.



We’ve managed to get Advanced Protection Mode working on a Google Pixel 9 running Android 16 Beta 4. When the feature is available to Android 16 users, it can be enabled through the Settings app. From earlier looks at this mode, we know that it would block app sideloading, prevent 2G connections, enable Memory Tagging Extension of apps, and more. But now that we got it working on a Pixel 9 device with Beta 4, we have a better idea of how it works.

Once Advanced Protection Mode is enabled, it basically turns on many security protocols that cannot be adjusted. This could be a way to protect you from, well, yourself. You can, however, locate the Advanced Protection Mode features from other parts of the Settings, and even from app settings.

As you can see from the screenshots, there are several different categories of protection that Advanced Protection Mode provides. Network and Wi-Fi blocks unsecured connections (2G and WEP, though 2G is available for emergency calling only), Web safeguards from malicious websites, Apps protects from memory bugs and unsafe apps, Google Messages and Phone by Google keep you safe from spam. Device Theft locks down your phone if it’s confiscated, misplaced or lost, or stolen.

When Advanced Protection Mode starts to roll out, the only apps we know of so far that have implemented the API are Google Messages and Phone by Google. But developers can add their own security measures with the API for Advanced Protection Mode.

It’s fantastic that Google is adding such safety measures for users in Android 16. One of the arguments that Apple users always brought up was how Android isn’t as secure as iOS — this is a step in the right direction for Android’s security.

 

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TL;DR

• Google has confirmed that Android 16 will arrive in June.
• The company hasn’t shared a specific date, but the software is expected to be released on June 3.
• Google could make the official date announcement at I/O later this month.

Google has confirmed that the stable Android 16 update will arrive in June. During a press briefing ahead of The Android Show, the company revealed that the new Material 3 Expressive design language will debut later this year. In doing so, Allen Huang, Google’s Director of Product Management for Pixel and Android system UI, effectively confirmed Android 16’s June launch.

“So, the updates for Material Expressive are going to be available on Pixel devices first later this year, but it’s not going to be part of the public release in June,” Huang said.

Android 16 landing in June isn’t exactly a surprise. A previous leak had already pointed to a June 3 release date, and Huang’s comments all but confirm it, even though Google hasn’t officially shared a specific date yet. It’s likely the company is holding that announcement for Google I/O, which kicks off on May 20.

Either way, it won’t be long before Pixel users get their hands on the new Android version. Once the rollout begins, other manufacturers are expected to follow suit with their own Android 16 announcements. We’re already hearing that Samsung is preparing its Android 16-based One UI 8 beta, which could drop as early as this month.

 

[joesph]

not sleeping? not working?

 

[limmk]

not sleeping? not working?

Sleep walking working

 

[limmk]

Google is really turning this into a major Android day. Following their presentation earlier, with all of the major announcements from it (like Material 3 Expressive), Google is now releasing Android 16 Beta 4.1 to Pixel devices.

If you have a Pixel 6 or 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7 or 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel Fold, Pixel Tablet, Pixel 8 or 8 Pro, Pixel 8a, Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL or 9 Pro Fold, or Pixel 9a, then this update is for you. You can get it over-the-air by signing up for the Android Beta Program (here).

This fresh update is technically minor, as only an update to Beta 4 from last month, but it does fix 9 bugs or issues that were a part of that previous build. Those bugs include haptic issues, lock screen shortcuts being annoying, the weather map disappearing, constant battery drain, and more.

Below is the full list of Android 16 Beta 4.1 bug fixes:

• Fixed an issue that impacted haptic performance (Issue #392319999)
• Fixed an issue that impacted 4k video recording at 4x telephoto (Issue #396804873)
• Fixed the weather map disappearing (Issue #407282089)
• Fixed lock screen shortcuts triggering with a single tap (Issue #403679494)
• Fixed an issue where the microphone indicator is stuck on (Issue #394002077)
• Fixed an issue where audio fails to play from the NDK (Issue #410960668)
• Fixed a constant battery drain issue (Issue #406421245)
• Fixed a black navigation bar appearing on transitions (Issue #411509161)
• Fixed a Google app crash when loading a website (Issue #415097836)

The build number you’ll find for your supported Pixel device is the following:

Release date: May 13, 2025
Build: BP22.250325.012
Emulator support: x86 (64-bit), ARM (v8-A)
Security patch level: April 2025
Google Play services: 25.07.34

This update is live now with OTA and factory image files available. However, Google has already pushed it live over-the-air, so just grab it that way.

Google already announced that Beta 4 would be the last scheduled update before Android 16 goes stable, so that should mean no Beta 5 at I/O next week. We still could see a Beta 4.2 is Google needs to fix more bugs, though. We now know that stable Android should arrive in June.

// Google

 

[ThinkMe]

Looking like OneUI now..............

 

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Summary​

• Android 16 is on track for a stable release in June, arriving first on Pixel devices.
• Google is also preparing a new beta, likely the first Android 16 QPR1 beta, expected by the end of May, which will offer an early look at the "Material 3 Expressive" redesign with features like blur effects and updated UI elements. This redesign will not be part of the initial stable Android 16 release.
• Current Android 16 beta users must opt out of the program soon to receive the stable June update; otherwise, they will be automatically enrolled in the QPR1 beta, gaining early access to the expressive redesign but potentially missing the initial stable release.

Google gave the world a significant new look at its upcoming major operating system update at the Android Show today.

Android 16, which hit platform stability in March, followed by a subsequent Beta 4 to fix major issues in April, is coming to a Pixel device near you very soon.

A Google spokesperson told Android Police that Android 16 will be available in public release in June. More importantly, though, the tech giant isn't stopping there — it hinted that it has another beta up its sleeve before stable comes knocking, one that could bring a lot more of Android's Material 3 Expressive elements to your phone.

We've seen leaks and rumors about Android's potential "expressive" redesign for the better part of 2025. The significant UI refresh is expected to bring more background blur effects, redesigned status bar icons, new icon shapes, an updated Quick Settings panel, a cleaner lock screen, refreshed volume controls, and a lot more. The current Android 16 beta builds only offer a very limited sneak peek at Material 3 Expressive, but that is expected to change later this month.

Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1 is imminent​

Google tells us that the expressive redesign won't be part of the public release in June, with the refresh coming "later this year" for Pixel devices first, likely as part of a Feature Drop.

Google will, however, drop a new Android 16 beta "by the end of this month" that will unlock Material 3 Expressive's design elements for users that don't want to wait until September (or potentially even December). We're not entirely sure what the yet-unnamed release could be called, but it could very well be the first Android 16 QPR1 beta, serving as the early testing ground for the expressive redesign.

By the end of this month, you'll see more [Material 3 Expressive] in the Android beta that will be available, and then the rest of our Google applications throughout the rest of the year.​

What this also means is that those currently enrolled in Android 16's beta program have a decision to make. To receive the stable Android 16 update in June, users would need to manually hop out of beta in the coming days. This will ensure that they can install the stable build when it comes knocking. Otherwise, users will automatically be enrolled in the Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1, unlocking access to the expressive redesign but missing out on stable.

 

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