Google rolled out Android 16 QPR2 Beta 2 for Pixel devices, and it brings several exciting new features. Here’s everything new!
In less than three months, Google will roll out the second quarterly release of Android 16 to Pixel devices, bringing major new features like an expanded dark theme, auto-themed app icons, an HDR/SDR brightness slider, and more. While Google previewed many of these features in last month’s QPR2 Beta 1 release, the beta program is far from over.
Earlier today, Google rolled out Android 16 QPR2 Beta 2 to supported Pixel devices. It’s the second of three releases in the QPR2 beta program, and while it doesn’t bring as many new features as Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1, it includes a few exciting changes. We installed Android 16 QPR2 Beta 2 on our Pixel devices to find out what’s new, so keep reading if you’re wondering whether it’s worth installing the beta on your own Pixel or waiting for the stable release in December!Icon shape customization
In Android 16 QPR2 Beta 2, you can now change the shape of app icons on the home screen. When you open the Wallpaper & Style app and tap the Icons option in the Home Screen tab, you’ll find five shape options: the default circle shape, a square, four-sided cookie, seven-sided cookie, and arch.
Google first introduced this icon shape customization feature in the 2508 Android Canary release, but since the Canary track is its own, separate release channel, we weren’t sure when the feature would make its way to users in the stable channel. Now that it’s live in QPR2 Beta 2, we expect the icon shape options to be available in December’s stable Android 16 QPR2 release.Step tracking in Health Connect
When Google launched Health Connect back in 2022, it was designed as a central hub for all your health and fitness data.
