Android 16 QPR1 goes stable with an expressive design overhaul

Google simply made its first Android 16 quarterly replace official.

Android 16 QPR1 kicked off our Materials 3 Expressive journey in Could, albeit in beta. Now, the highly-anticipated UI overhaul is making its strategy to customers in secure, and it is obtainable on all Pixel 6 and newer Pixel units, together with the Pixel Pill.

The brand new design language, which has already made its strategy to a number of of Google’s core apps, ought to now grace the native Pixel launcher expertise. For what it is value, the tech large’s newest Pixel 10 sequence shipped with Android 16 QPR1 in secure, albeit with August’s patch. Mentioned customers ought to now be receiving the September patch.

For everybody else that did not hop on the beta practice, the replace ought to lastly carry extra background blur components, redesigned standing bar icons, new icon shapes, an up to date Fast Settings panel, refreshed quantity controls, and extra. Most significantly, the replace must also unlock Google’s new Apple-inspired Calling Playing cards. The identical UI tweaks are additionally making their strategy to the Pixel Pill.

Though not explicitly talked about, count on the replace to additionally tackle minor UI inconsistencies and patch some safety vulnerabilities.

This is not actually linked to the expressive redesign, however the replace may also unlock further navigation performance in your Pixel Watch. In line with the tech large, now you can merely begin strolling or biking navigation in your cellphone and Google Maps’ UI will seem in your paired smartwatch, supplying you with turn-by-turn instructions with out you having to consistently have a look at your cellphone.

You may also now, merely begin strolling or biking navigation in your cellphone and Google Maps will robotically show in your smartwatch — which is nice for those who’re someplace new and don’t wish to maintain pulling your cellphone out to take a look at instructions. With this replace, there’s no must faucet your watch or pull out your cellphone — take pleasure in automated, hands-free steering out of your wrist.

The replace is rolling out now. Relying in your service and system, the replace needs to be obtainable broadly over the “subsequent few weeks.”