The Android 16 Beta Program continues today with QPR2 Beta 2 for Google devices, including the Pixel 10 series.
Quarterly Platform Releases deliver more significant changes compared to monthly bug patches, with Android 16 QPR2 shaping up to be a sizable one.
Historically, QPRs are relatively stable and launch as betas rather than developer previews. Google officially says they are “suitable for general use,” with Android 16 QPR2 expected to launch in December. Compared to previous quarterly platform releases, there will be a platform stability milestone for QPR2.
For developers, QPR2 Beta 2 has reached the Platform stability milestone with final app-facing behaviors. However, Google notes that “Android 16 QPR2 is still in active development, so the Android system and apps running on it might not always work as expected.”
New features in this release include:
Testing developer verification: Android developer verification is a new requirement designed to link real-world entities (individuals and organizations) with their Android applications to make it harder for bad actors to spread harm.
SMS OTP Protection: The delivery of messages containing an SMS retriever hash will be delayed for most apps for three hours to help prevent OTP hijacking. Apps can continue to use the SMS retriever API to access messages intended for them in a timely manner.
Custom app icon shapes: Android 16 QPR2 allows users to select from a list of icon shapes that apply to all app icons and folder previews.
More efficient garbage collection: The Android Runtime (ART) now includes a Generational Concurrent Mark-Compact (CMC) Garbage Collector in Android 16 QPR2 that focuses collection efforts on newly allocated objects, which are more likely to be garbage. You can expect reduced CPU usage from garbage collection, a smoother user experience with less jank, and improved battery efficiency.
Automatic step tracking and expanded exercise data in Health Connect: Health Connect now automatically tracks steps using the device’s sensors, and the ExerciseSegment and ExerciseSession data types have been updated.
The Android Beta Feedback app is available on Pixel devices to submit problems. You can access it from the app drawer or via Quick Settings to file bugs in the Google issue tracker, while the Android Beta community is on Reddit.
Android 16 QPR2 Beta 2 (BP41.250822.010) with the September 2025 security patch is available for the Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel Tablet, Pixel Fold, Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8a, Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Pixel 9a, Pixel 10, Pixel 10, and Pixel 10 Pro XL, as well as the Android Emulator.
Most people will be installing via the Android Beta Program, but you can also flash or sideload.
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