Google Introduces New Android Features in Pixel Beta Update
Participants in the Android Beta Program get first dibs on the next update, which is set to land in official form next year
Hot on the heels of the latest Android release earlier this month, Google is back with another update for Pixel users participating in the Android Beta Program. QPR3 Beta 1 is our first glimpse into changes coming for these phones and will be made available to devices in an official form sometime early next year.
The latest beta update includes some housekeeping features for added polish, as well as features that you may have seen elsewhere before. Outside of a few notable tweaks, changes are minimal, and additional features will be introduced as the beta updates continue to roll out over the coming months.
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Which Pixel devices are eligible for QPR3 Beta 1?
The Pixel-only update can be installed on any devices from Pixel 6 and beyond. The complete list of supported devices is below.
- Pixel 6 and 6 Pro
- Pixel 6a
- Pixel 7 and 7 Pro
- Pixel 7a
- Pixel Fold
- Pixel Tablet
- Pixel 8 and 8 Pro
- Pixel 8a
- Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, and 9 Pro Fold
- Pixel 9a
- Pixel 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL, and 10 Pro Fold
What’s new in this update?
For the first beta of this quarterly release, there’s a decent amount of tweaks to pore over, but we’ll touch on just a few highlights.
Adjust flashlight brightness
You can now adjust the brightness of your Pixel’s Flashlight with a vertical slider setting.
Screenshot by Blake StimacGoogle has introduced a way for Android users to adjust the brightness of their flashlight while it’s on, and it resembles the way iOS handles this feature. It’s a welcome feature for those times when you may need just a little light, not a blaring spotlight.
Remove the At A Glance widget
Regain some precious space by removing the At A Glance widget from your Pixel’s home screen.
Screenshot by Blake StimacThe At A Glance widget has adorned Pixel home screens for a long time, providing helpful information without requiring you to search for it. Weather, calendar updates, Pixel Watch charging notifications, and an easy way to turn your flashlight on and off are just some of the things the widget can do. Previously, it was more of a permanent fixture on your home screen that you couldn’t remove, even if you wanted to.
With QPR3 beta 1, you can now remove the widget completely, regaining some space on your home screen.
Better placement showing apps that are using your location
You can now see when an app is using your location more prominently in QPR3 beta 1, just like microphone and camera use.
Screenshot by Blake StimacGoogle has improved the way you’re notified when an app is using your location. Previously, the location symbol would appear at the top right corner of your phone’s status bar, blending in with the other icons there. Now, a blue notification dot will appear at the top right of your screen, making it easier to notice when your location is being used.
How to install the Android QPR3 Beta 1 update
If you have a compatible device, the easiest way to install the latest QPR3 update is to sign up for the Android Beta Program. Here’s how:
- Go to the Android Beta Program website.
- Log in to your Google account.
- Scroll down to view your eligible devices.
- Next to the device on which you want to install the update, click “opt in.”
That’s it. Eventually, you’ll receive a notification that an update is available, and from there, you can download and install the latest Android beta from Google.
