Latest news with #QuickSettings
Android Authority
4 days ago
- Business
- Android Authority
Don't panic: Google is still working on splitting Quick Settings, but it'll be optional
Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority TL;DR Google is developing a new, optional split design for Android's Quick Settings and notifications panels, separating them into distinct pages. This 'separate' view will require swiping from the top right for Quick Settings and top left for notifications, contrasting with the current 'combined' view. While the feature's release is uncertain, it's actively being developed and might appear in a future Android 16 quarterly update. Google is set to roll out a major overhaul to Android's user interface this year, introducing the company's new Material 3 Expressive design to the OS. As part of this redesign, Google is revamping Android's Quick Settings panel to add Material 3 Expressive flair and deliver several functional improvements. The company showcased these Quick Settings changes earlier this month, even inviting users to test them in the Android beta program. However, Google didn't reveal that its work on the Quick Settings panel isn't finished, as it plans another significant revamp, possibly slated for an upcoming quarterly release of Android 16. During The Android Show: I/O Edition, Google showcased the Quick Settings revamp slated for release later this year. This updated Quick Settings panel introduces background blur, resizable tiles, one-click toggles for Bluetooth and Modes, a cleaner tile editor, and a redesigned brightness slider. The revamped panel is live in the Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1 update that Google released last week, but this is only part of the picture. Google is actually quietly working on an entirely different version of the Quick Settings panel: one that's separated from the notifications panel. Last year, I uncovered evidence that Google was preparing to separate Android's notifications and Quick Settings panels. The company's goal was to divide them into distinct pages, thereby creating more room for both notifications and Quick Settings tiles. This approach mirrors the design many OEMs, such as Samsung, Xiaomi, and OnePlus, currently feature in their Android builds. In-development notification panel UI in Android 16. Following Android 16's third beta release, we observed that Google's new split panel design had made significant progress. However, several issues persisted. When Google announced Material 3 Expressive earlier this month, many assumed the company had abandoned the split panel design because it wasn't showcased during The Android Show and isn't present in the Android 16 QPR1 beta. However, we've recently found strong evidence suggesting the split panel design is still in active development. More importantly, evidence indicates it will likely be an optional feature. While digging through the Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1 release, we spotted strings indicating Google plans to add a new 'Notifications & Quick Settings' option under Settings > Notifications. This page will allow users to switch the panel design from the current 'combined' view to the new 'separate' view. Notably, the 'combined' view is labeled 'classic.' The 'combined' panel, accessed by swiping down anywhere from the top of the screen, merges notifications and Quick Settings into a single interface, as its name implies. Conversely, the new 'separate' panel divides notifications from Quick Settings, requiring a swipe down from the top right to open Quick Settings and from the top left to access notifications. Code Copy Text Notifications & Quick Settings Panels Separate Swipe down from the top right to open Quick Settings. Swipe down from the top left to open notifications. Combined (classic) Swipe down from the top of your screen to access the classic panel that combines notifications and Quick Settings. The image below illustrates the anticipated look of the new Notifications & Quick Settings page in Android. Note that neither this page nor the split design itself is currently live in Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1. Furthermore, the animation displayed on this page is a placeholder, as Google has yet to develop a custom version. Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority While the rollout timing for this new split panel design remains unknown, we now know it hasn't been abandoned. This feature could arrive with the other Material 3 Expressive changes in the Android 16 QPR1 release, or potentially later, such as in Android 16 QPR2. When it does arrive, its availability across all devices is uncertain. A special footer message, appearing only on foldable devices, notes that the 'combined' panel is limited to the outer screen. Although we haven't seen any indication that this split panel design will be exclusive to foldable phones, this message could suggest that possibility. Code Copy Text Combined (classic) view is limited to the outer screen of your foldable device Furthermore, it's unclear whether this split panel design will be enabled by default. We hope it won't be, considering the negative reaction when Samsung implemented a similar default in One UI 7. We'll be sure to update you if we learn more about Google's split panel design. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Android Authority
22-05-2025
- Android Authority
This nifty trick makes Android 16's resizable Quick Settings even better
Joe Maring / Android Authority TL;DR Android 16's Quick Settings panel allows you to resize tiles to make them smaller or larger. Tapping a small tile will result in its name flashing at the bottom of the Quick Settings panel. This is a helpful addition, as smaller tiles don't have titles on them. Android 16 is getting plenty of visual tweaks, including the Material 3 Expressive design style. One of the more notable visual changes is the redesigned Quick Settings panel, which will allow you to resize tiles to make them smaller or larger. Making a Quick Setting tile smaller means the accompanying text (e.g. Bluetooth, Quick Share, Flashlight) will disappear. Fortunately, Telegram user sameera_s_w discovered that Google is working on a nifty solution, and we were able to confirm this. More specifically, tapping a small tile will result in its name flashing in the active apps field at the bottom of the quick settings menu. Check out our screen recording below. This is a very helpful addition and a smart use of the active apps field. It's not as good as having the title on the tile itself, which allows you to see what you're pressing before you actually press it. Nevertheless, this is a good compromise and pretty convenient if you want to have lots of small tiles. Google has already released the first Android 16 QPR1 beta, which includes the revised Quick Settings panel and other changes. So you can install it on your Pixel phone if you'd like to check out these visual improvements. Of course, you shouldn't install this software on your primary phone as it's not meant for daily usage just yet. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Android Authority
21-05-2025
- Android Authority
Android 16 fixes the mistake Google made with Do Not Disturb mode
Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority TL;DR Google is bringing back the ability to toggle Do Not Disturb mode with a single tap in the Quick Settings. The setting can be toggled off/on by tapping on the icon on the left side of the Modes tile. Tapping on the right side of the Modes tile will bring up the menu. When Google rolled out Modes in the latest Android 15 quarterly release, it also removed the dedicated Do Not Disturb (DND) tile from Quick Settings. This toggle allowed you to switch back and forth from normal mode to DND mode with a single tap. In April, we found evidence that Google was planning to re-add the shortcut to Quick Settings. Now it appears the toggle is back with Android 16, but in a slightly different way. Google just released Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1, essentially a preview of the next Pixel Drop release, this week. The update is bringing a number of changes to Android, like Google's new Material 3 Expressive design. These changes also include a modified Modes tile in Quick Settings. First noticed by 9to5Google, the Modes tile now serves a dual purpose. The icon in the Modes tile, located on the left side, now acts as a toggle for DND mode. This means you can once again turn DND on or off with a single tap. Meanwhile, touching the right side of the tile will open up the Modes menu like before. The outlet adds that you'll first need to have 'Duration for Quick Settings' turned to 'until you turn off' or 'For X hour' in the DND settings. Modes isn't the only Quick Settings tile to get this treatment, as it appears you can also do this with the Bluetooth tile. Tapping on the icon will turn Bluetooth on or off, while tapping on any other part of the tile will bring up the menu. The next Pixel Drop is expected to be released in June. So you won't have to wait too long to have access to this returning experience. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
India Today
21-05-2025
- India Today
Android 16 with Material 3 Expressive design arrives, here is how you can install it on your phone
Google has started rolling out Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1 to Pixel smartphones. The latest update brings with it a fresh wave of design changes under what it calls the Material 3 Expressive system. This update is the first QPR (Quarterly Platform Release) beta since the Android 16 developer previews began and is part of the September Feature Drop cycle. While these betas are generally stable enough for regular use, they're not the final version — so those who want a glitch-free experience may want to hold off. But if you enjoy early access and want a more personalised look on your phone, this one's worth a to download Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1If you're already part of Google's Android 16 Beta Program and using an eligible Pixel device, the update will arrive automatically via an OTA update. You don't need to do anything extra. Eligible devices include a wide range of Pixel models, including the Pixel 6, 6 Pro, 6a, 7, 7 Pro, 7a, Tablet, Fold, 8, 8 Pro, 8a, 9, 9 Pro XL, 9 Pro, 9 Pro Fold and check or join the Beta Program, visit Enrol your Pixel device, and the update should appear soon after. Just make sure you've backed up your data in case something goes wrong, as this is still pre-release you'd rather wait for the final public version of Android 16, Google recommends opting out of the Beta Program before installing this update. If you opt out after installing Beta 1, your phone will get a 'downgrade' OTA, which will wipe your data and roll back the software to Android 15. The stable version of Android 16 is expected to arrive in the coming new in Material 3 ExpressiveadvertisementThe most visible change in this update is the new Material 3 Expressive design language. According to Google's blog post, it's all about personalisation and movement — giving your phone a more fluid, human-like feel. The company has gone beyond just colours and icons. For example, the way notifications slide away now triggers a soft ripple effect in the rest of the design also includes refreshed elements like the lockscreen, launcher, notification shade, and Quick Settings panel. There's better use of space, rounded shapes, and dynamic colours that adapt based on your wallpaper. You can even squeeze more toggles into Quick Settings, letting you access your most-used actions without extra has been improved too, with cleaner fonts and larger, more readable text. Visual transitions feel quicker and smoother, with light background blurs adding a sense of depth without becoming Updates is another new feature, placing real-time notifications — like food delivery or ride tracking — front and centre so they're easier to follow. Overall, Material 3 Expressive is a move towards making Android feel more personal, less mechanical, and better at surfacing what matters most to you.
Android Authority
14-05-2025
- Android Authority
Android 16 is just weeks away, but has it met your early expectations?
Joe Maring / Android Authority 🗣️ This is an open thread. We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments and vote in the poll below — your take might be featured in a future roundup. This has been a massive news week for Android, and we haven't even had Google I/O yet! Android 16 is now confirmed to roll out to devices starting this June. It'll bring plenty of new features, including the debut of Material 3 Expressive, a refreshed design language emphasizing colors and customization, the revised Quick Settings panel, and the welcome updates to Live Updates. There are the practical introductions, too, like Intrusion Logging, which will make it tougher for crooks to sell your device, and Advanced Protection Mode, which makes USB connections more secure. However, it's easy to get lost in the list of new additions and forget the features Android still lacks. This bumper update may still fall short of user expectations. Some may still desire baked-in mode support akin to One UI, while others may crave more visual flexibility for large-screen devices, like tablets and foldables. So here are the questions: What killer feature do you think Android still needs? Has Google's early showing of Android 16's features impressed or disappointed you? Is Material 3 Expressive an improvement over the current design language? Has Android's recent update issues made you wary of grabbing Android 16 immediately after release? Which Android 16 feature are you most excited about? 2124 votes New Quick Settings/notification panel design 53 % Customizable app icons 19 % Lock screen widgets 23 % Other (let us know in the comments) 5 % 👇Sound off in the comments: What do you think of Android 16 — a dynamic version revision that has already stolen your heart, or another disappointing showing from Google?
