Android 16 QPR2: Google brings optimized app theming and more

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With the second update for Android 16, which is first landing on Google's Pixel smartphones, Google is rolling out new features that have been in development for several months. While the Pixel Drop from November essentially appeared out of sequence, this is now the update to Android 16 QPR2 (Quarterly Platform Release) along with a small SDK update. Some of the features are already known to beta testers. The update can now be installed on Pixel models from generations 6 to 10, Google's foldables, and the Pixel Tablet.

App theming and optimized dark mode

According to Google, the update to Android 16 QPR2 delivers an extension of the dark mode for Android 16. If this feature is activated by the user, the "system intelligently inverts the user interface of apps" that do not offer a dark theme by default, Google explains.

Actually, this is an accessibility feature for people with visual impairments or light sensitivity. However, it can also be activated by users who prefer a system-wide dark mode. The company recommends that developers and businesses offer a native dark design for their apps. Only then will developers have "full control over the appearance of your app."

In addition, with the update, Google integrates a theme-based app icon if developers do not offer a corresponding icon for Android's dynamic theme. According to Google, the system then applies a color filter algorithm to the existing app icon "to render it in a monochrome style so that it can be integrated into the user-selected theme." Also new is that the app's user interface remains fully interactive when the system share sheet is open. For more design freedom, Google offers other icon shapes with Android 16 QPR2 in addition to just round app icons.

Boosted Notifications

With Android 16 QPR2, Google is also changing how the system handles a flood of notifications. To this end, the company is introducing two "intelligent features" to help users keep track.

Firstly, Android is receiving AI-powered notification summaries. This feature is intended to summarize longer messages and group chats so that users can "get an overview faster and grasp the context at a glance," according to Google.

The second new feature is a so-called "Notification Organizer." This automatically groups lower-priority notifications – such as ads, news, and social notifications – and silences them. This way, users should be able to "focus more easily on what's important" and "be less distracted." It is unclear whether the AI-powered notification features will be offered in Europe. They are not yet visible to us on a Pixel smartphone with the new Android version.

Parental Control

The new update also integrates Google's Family Link into the system, so to speak: "In Android settings, families now have a single, easily accessible place for integrated device controls and Google Family Link," the company explains. This control function integrated into Android can be protected with a PIN and offers basic setting options.

According to Google, for example, daily screen time can be set here "to establish healthy habits." Likewise, parents can set break times so that the device is automatically locked at night, ensuring children get undisturbed sleep without distractions. App usage can also be controlled here and usage times for specific apps can be limited. Complete blocking of apps is also possible here. Parents can also add bonus minutes when a time limit is reached.

Easier switch from iOS to Android

For platform switchers, Google wants to simplify the transition from iOS to Android. To this end, with Android 16 QPR2, the company is integrating a new data transfer API for third parties. This is intended to enable "more reliable and secure data migration between Android and iOS devices." Third-party apps can be enabled to participate in cross-platform data transfers, Google explains.

Both companies already offer migration tools for switching between the mobile platforms Android and iOS and vice versa. Google now wants to make app transfer even easier.

More Accessibility

Google has also announced some innovations in the area of accessibility: The "Expressive Captions" feature will be made available to all users on YouTube and will attempt to capture the intensity of real-time speech. The new option will be available for English videos uploaded after October. On Android devices, the "Expressive Captions" feature will also interpret a person's emotions during a live stream and tag the content with emotion tags such as "[happy]" or "[sad]."

Other new features include the ability to activate voice control with the Android screen reader "TalkBack" via a double-tap gesture with two fingers in Gboard, according to Google. Users can also use the "Voice Access" function to control the smartphone by voice. To do this, you only need to say the command "Hey Google, start Voice Access" instead of having to search for the function in the settings.

Google is also introducing Fast Pair for hearing aids. This will allow users to more easily connect hearing aids with Bluetooth LE support to Android devices. According to the company, the function will initially be introduced for hearing aids of the Demant brand, and will also be available for Starkey devices in early 2026.

Android 16 QPR2: Mini SDK Release

As announced last year, QPR2 is the first Android version with a smaller SDK version. According to the company, the new SDK enables "faster innovation with new platform APIs that are released outside of our usual annual schedule." In contrast to the major update to Android 16, which was released in June, the changes in QPR2 are "largely additive and designed to minimize additional app testing."

The update to Android 16 QPR2 is available for Google's smartphone models Pixel 6, 6 Pro, 6a, Pixel 7, 7 Pro, 7a, Fold, Pixel 8, 8 Pro, 8a, Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, 9 Pro Fold, 9a, and the Pixel Tablet.

(afl)