Android 16 QPR2 Update Live: Pixel Phones Get Widgets, Custom Icons, More

Google is done with the release of the second quarterly platform update for Android 16, i.e., Android 16 QPR2, for the Pixel devices beginning with the Pixel 6 series. The release has taken place for a vast number of devices, including the Pixel 6, 6 Pro, 6a, 7, 7 Pro, 7a, Pixel Tablet, Fold models, and the latest Pixel 8, 8 Pro, 8a, 9 series, and Pixel 10 series, as stated by 9to5Google.

The Android 16 QPR2 update has brought a number of new features aimed at customization, productivity, and security improvements. One of the most prominent developments is the addition of the lockscreen widgets. The users can access them by swiping left, which will uncover a new feed and will also have the option of bolding the two-line clock as well as adding haptic feedback.

The management of the widgets is done through Settings > Display and touch > Lock screen > Widgets on lock screen. Google stresses that even though the widgets can be seen without unlocking the device, it is still necessary to authenticate in order to access the corresponding apps.

As a part of the update, it was also possible to personalize widgets even more. Users can resize, remove, or add widgets by means of a newly designed picker which consists of the Featured and Browse tabs.

With Android 16 QPR2 the notifications will be organized better by the system so that all low-priority alerts, like social, news, or promotions, will be automatically grouped at the bottom of the notification shade. These minimized alerts will be simply displayed as stacked icons which will be more user-friendly.

In addition, the users will be able to choose the shape of the icons for the home screen and among the different types – the default one (circle) as well as rounded squares and so on. Themed Icons, which are now applied across the board, work well with this feature. A long-press on an app icon will show new menu items that let you quickly remove or add your shortcuts.

The Pixel Launcher search bar, exclusively for Google Pixel devices, now comes with a bigger microphone, Lens and AI Mode icons, the Dynamic Color has become more intense too. Live Caption, which is a feature designed to display live subtitles for media, can now be activated directly from the bottom of the volume slider for faster access.

The update introduces Material You design to all of the Settings app. Notification history pages now show full-size app icons in a card layout, and the Security and Privacy section has seen a significant upgrade.

Parents have been given a separate section for their controls and Digital Wellbeing has been simplified, thus making it easy to access features for the management of screen time, app usage, and the scheduling of downtimes.

One of the display enhancements is the support of HDR content with a slider ranging from Dimmer to Brighter. Also, there is an Expanded Dark Theme that automatically gets applied to third-party apps that do not offer dark mode. Health Connect integration also enables step data recording directly on the device.

Installation and Beta Program Details

The update can be installed by users easily by going to Settings > System > System update and checking if the OTA package is available for their device. Those on Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3.3 will receive a mini patch to upgrade to the stable version. The Android Beta Program is still testing new feature drops and QPR builds. Devices that are on Beta 3 or higher should opt-out before moving to the stable version, but no data loss is expected during the rollout of the update.