Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1 illustrates that Google continues to address the minor details.
What you should know
– Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1 has arrived just a few weeks after QPR2, likely indicating the final adjustments before Android 17.
– You can now disable the “At a Glance” widget to free up space on your home screen.
– The Quick Settings tile now incorporates a slider to manage beam intensity rather than just a basic on/off toggle.
– A new feature allows you to rearrange the back and recent buttons in the three-button navigation bar.
Just a short time after the launch of Android 16 QPR2 to the stable channel, Google has introduced Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1. This update is likely the last quarterly platform update prior to Android 17, and while it doesn’t introduce significant alterations, it aims to enhance everyday usability for Pixel users.
Quarterly Platform Releases, or QPRs, enable Google to enhance Android between major updates. Rather than waiting for an annual upgrade, these updates provide small enhancements, new functionalities, and background fixes.
Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1 is now accessible for Pixel devices from the Pixel 6 up to the latest models via the Android Beta Program. The stable version is anticipated to launch around March 2026.
At first glance, this beta emphasizes usability modifications that Pixel users have requested. One of the most prominent updates is in flashlight management. Instead of a straightforward on/off toggle, you now receive adjustable brightness, allowing you to modify the intensity based on your needs.
The main feature is the option to eliminate the At a Glance widget from your home screen. In this beta, a new “Show on home screen” choice is available in the widget’s settings. Turn it off, and the widget vanishes, giving you additional space to organize apps, add widgets, or simply enjoy your wallpaper.
Navigation has become more adaptable, as Google allows users to change the order of the traditional three-button navigation keys. This will feel recognizable to anyone familiar with Samsung devices.
Track which app is using your location
Privacy and transparency enhancements are also present. Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1 introduces an expandable location indicator in the status bar, enabling you to easily identify which app is accessing your location. A tap provides more information, rather than just displaying a generic symbol.
The update additionally brings support for over 160 new emojis from Unicode 17.0, subtly modernizing the platform.
Of course, this remains beta software. Bugs, battery issues, and performance inconsistencies are expected, and choosing to participate means you’re committed until the stable release arrives, unless you are okay with resetting your device.
