Latest news with #AndroidBetaProgram
Phone Arena
20-05-2025
- Phone Arena
Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1 is here with a fresh coat of Material 3 Expressive
Google has kicked off the next phase of Android 16 development with the release of QPR1 Beta 1, the first test build leading up to the September Feature Drop. Available now to Pixel owners enrolled in the Android Beta Program, the update includes new platform features, visual upgrades, and important system-level or Quarterly Platform Releases, are Google's way of refining Android between major OS versions. This latest update brings along performance improvements, bug fixes, and the August 2025 security patch. But what stands out most is the inclusion of Material 3 Expressive — a visual update that Google teased just last week. Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1 is now rolling out for beta testers. | Image credit — PhoneArena Included in this update are some of the first user-facing tweaks under the Material 3 Expressive design system. This is part of Google's broader effort to modernize Android's interface with bolder visuals and better consistency across the OS. With QPR1 Beta 1, users will see UI updates across key areas like notifications, quick settings, the lock screen, and the Pixel Launcher. These refinements build on the current Material You aesthetic, with more expressive color options and cleaner layouts. First bit of Material 3 Expressive showing up on my newly updated Pixel 9a. | Image credit — PhoneArena Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1 is available to a wide range of Pixel devices, including: If your device is already enrolled in the Android 16 Beta Program and haven't opted out, your Pixel device should receive the update automatically over-the-air. New users can enroll through Google's official Beta Program is advising users who want to exit the beta and wait for the stable Android 16 release to do so before installing QPR1 Beta 1. If you opt out after installing the update, your device will be wiped. To avoid that, skip this beta and wait for the stable version to land later this year. It's exciting to finally see the first pieces of Material 3 Expressive show up in a real, installable build. While this update may still be in beta, the changes to the notification shade, lock screen, and launcher should offer a clear glimpse into Google's evolving design direction. For many Pixel users, this is likely the part they've been waiting for the most — a refreshed, more expressive look that makes Android feel new again. And with more updates expected in future QPR builds, this is just the beginning.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Yahoo
Google rolls out Android 16 Beta 3.1 patch with crucial bug fixes
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Google is rolling out an Android 16 Beta 3.1 update that includes no new features and instead focuses on bug fixes. The minor beta patch features a fix for a problem that caused the Settings app to crash and brightness levels to fluctuate. Additionally, Android 16 Beta 3.1 includes performance and stability improvements. Nearly a week after rolling out the platform-stable Android 16 Beta 3 update, Google is fixing a few issues with a new Android 16 Beta 3.1 patch. As announced on the Android Beta Program subreddit, this update is becoming available for enrolled devices now and carries a version number of BP22.250221.013. Android 16 Beta 3.1 does not include any new features, but rather includes four critical fixes, two of which that were reported by beta testers on Google's Issue Tracker. Among the issues fixed, the biggest one might be a problem that caused the system Settings app to crash under specific circumstances. Reported under Issue #403303683, this problem caused repeated Settings crashes when a device's language was set to something other than English. Another problem caused the screen brightness of devices running Android 16 Beta 3 to switch between app-specified brightness levels and system brightness levels. This bug was reported via Issue #392522561, and has been fixed in Android 16 Beta 3.1. Android 16 Beta 3.1 now available! from r/android_beta Android 16 Beta 3.1 also includes fixes for two issues causing performance problems on devices enrolled in the Android beta. One problem resulted in excessive battery drain due to high CPU load, and another occasionally caused memory leaks in the system server, according to Google. The update features all the changes and new capabilities introduced with the initial Android 16 Beta 3 release, which marked the first time Android 16 reached platform stability. That includes Auracast support for wireless hearing aids and accessibility features for people with low vision. Android 16 Beta 3.1 will become available automatically for Google Pixel 6 and newer devices enrolled in the Android Beta Program. The update is being rolled out over the air, so it'll appear in Settings > System > Software Update when available. To enroll your Pixel in the Android Beta Program, visit Google's official beta website.
