Here’s everything new in Android 16 Beta 2 [Gallery]

Abner Li | Feb 13 2025 - 11:35 am PT

Beta 2 of Android 16 is available today as Google’s next major OS version proceeds through the development process.

Over the coming hours, we’ll dive into all of Android 16 Beta 1’s new features and every single change. (The newest updates will be at the top of this list. Be sure to check back often and tell us what you find in the comments below.) Android 16 Beta 1 screenshots appear on the left and Beta 2 on the right.

If you want to quickly install the Android 16 Beta 2 on your compatible Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, 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, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Be sure to check out our step-by-step guide.

For reference, here’s everything new in Android 16 Developer Preview 1, DP2, and Beta 1.

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Updating…

Pixel ‘Battery health’

‘Robust open/close detection’ for Pixel 9 Pro Fold

Some icons placed in circles

Settings > Storage

Maximize text contrast -> Text outlines

Settings > System > Languages & region

New: Region and Measurement system

Extra dim

Settings > Display & touch (In DP1, called “Even dimmer.”)
Extra dim customizations/options removed in Settings > Accessibility

Beta 1 vs. Beta 2

Switch users widget

Launch Google Wallet with double press

Settings > System > Gestures > Double press power button

Darker Settings app background

Resolved developer- and user-reported issues

Fixed an issue that sometimes caused the system UI to crash when interacting with certain elements in WebViews. (Issue #392011635)
Fixed issues that sometimes caused devices to freeze and restart during calls. (Issue #392364716)
Fixed issues that caused the Google Home app to crash intermittently when running on Android 16 Beta builds. (Issue #391922779)
Fixed issues where the language picker menu (accessed by long pressing the spacebar) was changing the window, which caused the IME to hide in apps that had set their softInputMode to STATE_ALWAYS_HIDDEN. (Issue #388201594)