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New Delhi | August 20, 2025
Written by Michael B Norris | TrendingAlone
A personal story
The first time I signed up for a Pixel beta program, it was back in 2019 with Android 10.
I remember staring at my phone for what felt like hours, nervously watching the installation bar crawl across the screen.
My biggest worry wasn’t excitement about new features - it was whether my daily driver would crash halfway through my morning commute.
Availability August 2025
Eligible Devices Pixel 6 → Pixel 8a, Pixel Fold, Tablet
Update Size ~1.2GB (varies by device)
Notable Additions Lockscreen widgets, Battery Health 2.0, Privacy logs
Installation Method OTA via Beta Program
Risks Bugs, app crashes, shorter battery life
After enrolling my Pixel 8 Pro, the installation was uneventful - which in beta terms is a win.
Others were less impressed. A Pixel Tablet owner complained: “Split-screen is better, yes, but Netflix still refuses to resize. Until app devs step up, this is half-baked.”
These mixed reactions highlight the tension of beta testing: what excites one user can frustrate another.
Apple’s iOS beta releases tend to be tightly controlled and polished, but also far less adventurous in terms of features.
That anxiety is something every Pixel beta tester knows well: living on the bleeding edge of Android means a mix of anticipation and risk.
Fast forward to today, and Google has begun rolling out Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1 for Pixel devices.
Fast forward to today, and Google has begun rolling out Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1 for Pixel devices.
The difference between then and now is striking - beta testing has become smoother, more stable, and crucially, more accessible for regular users who don’t want to flash factory images.
Still, questions remain: What’s new in this update? How can you get it on your device without headaches? And perhaps most importantly, is it worth the plunge if your phone is your lifeline?
This article unpacks everything you need to know about Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1, from installation to hidden tweaks, while adding a dose of real-world perspective you won’t find in a standard press release.
Google uses the term QPR (Quarterly Platform Release) to describe feature updates that land between major Android releases.
This article unpacks everything you need to know about Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1, from installation to hidden tweaks, while adding a dose of real-world perspective you won’t find in a standard press release.
What is Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1?
Google uses the term QPR (Quarterly Platform Release) to describe feature updates that land between major Android releases.
These are more than just bug fixes - they often introduce new features, UI refinements, and security improvements that prepare the ground for the next stable build.
Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1 is the first public beta in the QPR2 cycle, available starting this week for eligible Pixel devices.
Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1 is the first public beta in the QPR2 cycle, available starting this week for eligible Pixel devices.
While QPR builds may sound incremental, historically they’ve added some of the most impactful quality-of-life features: think lockscreen customizations, battery health metrics, and better split-screen support.
According to Google’s official beta portal, the following devices are supported:
Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a
Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a
Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro
Pixel 8a
Pixel Fold
Pixel Tablet
The Pixel 9 series, set to debut later this fall, will likely ship with Android 16 QPR2 out of the box, making this beta a preview of what’s next for Google’s flagship.
Unlike full Android releases, QPR betas don’t always come with splashy headline features.
Eligible Pixel devices
According to Google’s official beta portal, the following devices are supported:
Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a
Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a
Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro
Pixel 8a
Pixel Fold
Pixel Tablet
The Pixel 9 series, set to debut later this fall, will likely ship with Android 16 QPR2 out of the box, making this beta a preview of what’s next for Google’s flagship.
Key changes in Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1
Unlike full Android releases, QPR betas don’t always come with splashy headline features.
But early testers (myself included) have spotted some meaningful additions.
Google is experimenting with a new widget carousel that lets you swipe between calendar, weather, and music directly from the lockscreen.
1. Enhanced lockscreen widgets
Google is experimenting with a new widget carousel that lets you swipe between calendar, weather, and music directly from the lockscreen.
It feels smoother and more cohesive than the earlier widget cards in Android 15.
In the settings app, the Battery Health section now displays cycle counts and “optimal charging” recommendations.
2. Smarter battery stats
In the settings app, the Battery Health section now displays cycle counts and “optimal charging” recommendations.
This is a nod to Apple-style transparency, something Pixel users have long requested.
The privacy dashboard now logs Bluetooth and NFC usage, not just camera, microphone, and location.
3. Privacy dashboard upgrades
The privacy dashboard now logs Bluetooth and NFC usage, not just camera, microphone, and location.
It’s a subtle but important addition for users wary of background data leaks.
For tablet users, QPR2 Beta 1 improves split-screen stability, making it less likely for apps to reset when resizing windows.
4. Better multitasking on Pixel Tablet
For tablet users, QPR2 Beta 1 improves split-screen stability, making it less likely for apps to reset when resizing windows.
This is critical for Google’s push into large-screen Android.
Here’s the simplest route to get the update without diving into bootloaders or flashing images.
Step 1: Enroll in the Android Beta Program
Visit google.com/android/beta.
Sign in with the Google account linked to your Pixel.
Select your eligible device and opt in.
Once enrolled, you’ll receive an over-the-air (OTA) update notification within a few hours.
The update size is around 1.2GB, so make sure you’re on Wi-Fi.
Charge your phone to at least 50%.
Back up critical data.
Tap “Download and install.” Expect a reboot cycle lasting 10–15 minutes.
Feature Details
How to install Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1
Here’s the simplest route to get the update without diving into bootloaders or flashing images.
Step 1: Enroll in the Android Beta Program
Visit google.com/android/beta.
Sign in with the Google account linked to your Pixel.
Select your eligible device and opt in.
Step 2: Wait for the OTA update
Once enrolled, you’ll receive an over-the-air (OTA) update notification within a few hours.
The update size is around 1.2GB, so make sure you’re on Wi-Fi.
Step 3: Install carefully
Charge your phone to at least 50%.
Back up critical data.
Tap “Download and install.” Expect a reboot cycle lasting 10–15 minutes.
Key Specs Table
Feature Details
Release Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1
Availability August 2025
Eligible Devices Pixel 6 → Pixel 8a, Pixel Fold, Tablet
Update Size ~1.2GB (varies by device)
Notable Additions Lockscreen widgets, Battery Health 2.0, Privacy logs
Installation Method OTA via Beta Program
Risks Bugs, app crashes, shorter battery life
My early experience with the beta
After enrolling my Pixel 8 Pro, the installation was uneventful - which in beta terms is a win.
The phone booted up normally, and all apps restored without a hitch.
Within minutes, I noticed the lockscreen widget carousel in action, and it genuinely reduced the number of taps needed to check appointments or skip tracks.
However, there are rough edges. The battery health stats occasionally disappear after a reboot, and YouTube Music froze once during playback.
However, there are rough edges. The battery health stats occasionally disappear after a reboot, and YouTube Music froze once during playback.
These are typical beta quirks, but they underline the golden rule: if you rely on your Pixel for work, proceed cautiously.
Many users dismiss QPR builds as minor, but they often preview Google’s long-term strategy.
Why QPR betas matter
Many users dismiss QPR builds as minor, but they often preview Google’s long-term strategy.
For example, Android 14’s QPRs quietly introduced predictive back navigation, which became a headline feature in Android 15.
In the same way, Android 16 QPR2 could be laying the groundwork for Pixel-exclusive features ahead of the Pixel 9 launch.
From a market perspective, QPRs also serve another purpose: they keep Pixels relevant between major Android updates.
From a market perspective, QPRs also serve another purpose: they keep Pixels relevant between major Android updates.
With Samsung and OnePlus pushing monthly features through their own UI overlays, Google can’t afford to let Pixels feel stagnant.
Joining a beta is not without cost. Based on my testing and past cycles, here’s what you should weigh:
Stability: Expect occasional app crashes or UI glitches. Banking apps and payment services are often the first to misbehave.
Battery life: QPR betas usually drain faster in the first few days as background processes recalibrate.
Rollback pain: If you opt out of the beta, your phone will factory reset — meaning data loss unless fully backed up.
Pixel beta programs have always had a loyal following. On Google’s official Reddit forum, one Pixel 7 user wrote:
Risks and trade-offs
Joining a beta is not without cost. Based on my testing and past cycles, here’s what you should weigh:
Stability: Expect occasional app crashes or UI glitches. Banking apps and payment services are often the first to misbehave.
Battery life: QPR betas usually drain faster in the first few days as background processes recalibrate.
Rollback pain: If you opt out of the beta, your phone will factory reset — meaning data loss unless fully backed up.
Community voices
Pixel beta programs have always had a loyal following. On Google’s official Reddit forum, one Pixel 7 user wrote:
“The new battery health page alone makes this worth it. I’ve been waiting for transparency since day one.”
Others were less impressed. A Pixel Tablet owner complained: “Split-screen is better, yes, but Netflix still refuses to resize. Until app devs step up, this is half-baked.”
These mixed reactions highlight the tension of beta testing: what excites one user can frustrate another.
How this compares to Apple and Samsung
Apple’s iOS beta releases tend to be tightly controlled and polished, but also far less adventurous in terms of features.
Samsung, meanwhile, often leapfrogs with One UI betas that bring custom features months before Google.
Google’s approach sits in the middle: more stable than the average Android OEM beta, but still flexible enough to push experimental features like widget carousels.
Google’s approach sits in the middle: more stable than the average Android OEM beta, but still flexible enough to push experimental features like widget carousels.
For users, this makes Pixels the best playground for early adopters who want to influence Android’s future.
Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1 is just the first step in a cycle that will likely see two or three additional betas before the stable release in December 2025.
Outlook: What comes next
Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1 is just the first step in a cycle that will likely see two or three additional betas before the stable release in December 2025.
Historically, QPR2 also lays groundwork for the next Developer Preview cycle - meaning Android 17 is already in motion behind the scenes.
For Pixel 9 buyers later this year, QPR2 could shape the out-of-box experience.
For Pixel 9 buyers later this year, QPR2 could shape the out-of-box experience.
For Pixel Fold and Tablet users, it signals Google’s renewed focus on large-screen optimization, a battleground where Android still trails iPadOS.
If you’re curious and willing to live with minor glitches, Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1 is worth trying.
Final thoughts
If you’re curious and willing to live with minor glitches, Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1 is worth trying.
The lockscreen carousel alone feels like a natural step forward, and the battery health stats bring long-requested transparency.
But for those who depend on stability - especially if your phone doubles as your work device - the smarter move is to wait for the stable release later this year.
The beta program remains one of Google’s most valuable tools: it blurs the line between user and developer, giving ordinary Pixel owners a say in the platform’s future.
But for those who depend on stability - especially if your phone doubles as your work device - the smarter move is to wait for the stable release later this year.
The beta program remains one of Google’s most valuable tools: it blurs the line between user and developer, giving ordinary Pixel owners a say in the platform’s future.
And from where I’m standing, that’s not just software testing - it’s shaping the very definition of what Android means.
Michael B Norris is a senior technology journalist with over a decade of experience covering mobile ecosystems, Android development, and consumer hardware.
About the Author
Michael B Norris is a senior technology journalist with over a decade of experience covering mobile ecosystems, Android development, and consumer hardware.
He has personally tested every Pixel device since the Pixel 2 and regularly contributes analysis on Google’s software strategy for TrendingAlone.
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