March Update: Android Canary Version Brings New App Lock and Old Wi-Fi Tile
Google has released the March update for Android Canary. In addition to a new app lock, the version brings back an old feature.
App bubbles on a Pixel smartphone.
(Image: Andreas Floemer / heise medien)
The March version of Google's “developer playground” Android Canary is here. It is primarily aimed at developers, but the new version contains some interesting features that may also be relevant for users.
Nothing for everyday use
The Canary version with build number ZP11.260220.007 is available for testing on a range of Google devices: Google offers system images for the Pixel 10a, Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro (XL), Pixel 10 Pro Fold, Pixel 9a, Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro (XL), Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Pixel 8a, Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7, Pixel 6a, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6, Pixel Fold, and the Pixel Tablet. In addition, there are Generic System Images (GSI) that can be run on devices from other manufacturers. According to Google, an updated SDK will be released in the coming days.
According to Google, Canary builds, which the company introduced in July 2025 and replaced developer previews, are experimental and not recommended for general use. They contain features that are still under active development. Therefore, they may still contain errors or problems that could impair normal use. Furthermore, Google points out that some features tested in Canary may not always be included in a stable Android version.
Wi-Fi and mobile data separated again
A first look at Canary is still worthwhile, as the manufacturer is testing some interesting features: Firstly, Google is making a U-turn in the quick settings and bringing separate tiles for Wi-Fi and mobile reception. With Android 12, Google had built a single tile for both connectivity options into the quick settings, making it more cumbersome to switch off one of the two functions.
(Image:Â Andreas Floemer / heise medien)
In addition, developers can test the app bubbles announced in Beta 2 of Android 17. A long press on an app opens a revised dialog window where you can find the “Bubbles” function.
The “Bubble” can be moved to any position on the screen, but it always automatically moves to the edge of the screen so as not to be in the way. To close the bubble, simply move it to the lower screen area where a large “X” appears. In addition, in the lower left corner, you will find “manage” – tapping on it opens a dialog with which you can close the bubble. Multiple app bubbles can also be used simultaneously.
(Image:Â Andreas Floemer / heise medien)
Android Authority already discovered initial hints of this feature in a beta of Android 15 QPR1. At the time, it was speculated that the feature could be part of Android 16. Google had already introduced a predecessor to app bubbles with Android 11 in 2020. However, the “Bubbles API” was only intended for messaging apps to display conversations in a floating window.
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In the new app dialog, you will find another function: app lock. With this function, users can provide selected apps with additional protection and protect them from unauthorized access. To open apps protected by app lock, you must use your fingerprint or PIN again.
(Image:Â Andreas Floemer / heise medien)
According to Google, notifications for protected apps are hidden, and widgets and shortcuts are removed. However, AI agents and services to which you have granted access can still access the app, it says. Incidentally, Apple also offers a similar function for locking apps in iOS and iPadOS.
More blur and improvements for hearing aids
Apart from the first new features discovered, Google is also expanding the transparency introduced with Material 3 Expressive. It can now also be found in the widget overview.
(Image:Â Andreas Floemer / heise medien)
Android Authority has also discovered new options for hearing aid users. To prevent every incoming message from being heard in the hearing aid, users can in the future restrict notification sounds to the smartphone's speaker. Furthermore, users can completely suppress the playback of ringtones and notifications via the phone's speakers as well as via their hearing aids or in-ear implants. For this purpose, two new buttons will be displayed on Pixel devices on the “Hearing Aids” page under Accessibility settings: one for notification sounds and one for ringtones and alarm sounds.
Whether and when some as-yet-unannounced features will find their way into stable Android is uncertain, as Google says. However, one or the other might appear sooner rather than later. After all, Google recently said that features appear when they are ready. The next major update is, by the way, Android 17, which is expected in June.
(afl)
