Google Added 9 Sweet New Features to Your Pixel in Big Update
  • Posted byby Kellen

Google Added 9 Sweet New Features to Your Pixel in Big Update

Following the release of several beta builds over a number of months, Google released Android 16 QPR2 today in stable as the December Pixel update. This is a huge update with over 30 bug fixes, but it also marks the release of the second major Android 16 build in the same year, something that Google promised to do in 2025. Because of the size of the release, this update includes several new features that are much more than just an advertisement for a movie.

Google has previewed a number of these new features through beta builds, but today everything goes official for everyone. Things like AI-powered notification summaries, a new notification organizer, custom icon shapes and themed icons, an expanded dark theme, and a bunch of new parental controls are all here. Again, we knew they were coming, it’s just that this is official and ready for your Pixel phone.

This new Android 16 QPR2 update is available for the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7 and 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, Pixel 8a, Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Pixel 9a, Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL, Pixel 10 Pro Fold, Pixel Fold, and Pixel Tablet.

Android 16 QPR2 Features

As for the feature list, here’s how Google describes all that is new:

  • AI-powered notification summaries condense longer messages and group chats, giving you quick understanding and context at a glance.
  • Notification organizer automatically groups and silences your lower-priority notifications (such as promotions, news, and social alerts), making it easier for you to stay focused on what matters with fewer distractions.
  • Custom icon shapes allow you to express your style for your device’s home screen.
  • Themed icons are automatically applied across your apps for a more cohesive and minimal look. This creates a more consistent look and feel across all your apps.
  • The expanded option in dark theme automatically darkens most light apps, even those that don’t have their own native dark theme. Dark theme helps save battery and is easier on your eyes.
  • Set the amount of screen time that can be spent on a device each day to help establish healthy habits
  • Set downtime schedules to automatically lock the device at night to ensure restful sleep without distraction
  • Control app usage by limiting time spent on specific apps, or blocking apps entirely
  • Add more time by granting extra minutes when a time limit is reached, or to extend a scheduled break

Android 16 QPR2 Parental Controls

And there you go. Go grab that update by heading into Settings>System>Software updates>System update.

// Google | Android Developers

Written by

Kellen

It’s not often that you get to merge personal passions into a professional life, but that’s what Kellen did when he launched Droid Life in 2009. After working years of unsatisfying jobs in the medical and property management fields, he took a risk to try and create an online community while playing with the coolest gadgets on the planet each day, a risk that has turned out to be incredibly rewarding. Outside of Droid Life, Kellen is your typical Portlander who drinks way too much good beer, complains often about the Trail Blazers, and can be found out on the streets for a run, rain or shine.

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12 Comments

  • On my Pixel 8 Pro, when I enable Expanded Dark Mode, I have noticed that most apps which were not designed for a dark mode have areas within the app which are unreadable. My BofA app just doesn't handle the dark mode very well, and Amazon Shopping not at all

    Furthermore, a few of my other apps will change somewhat when you go to the light mode. I'm sure Google will figure things out in the coming months.

    As for the themed icons, many will in fact theme, but it will be opposite the system theme. When you're in light mode, they'll be themed dark, and when you're in the dark mode they'll be themed light, so it can look a little odd. Again, I'm sure Google will figure things out.

  • Is anyone else getting weird screen flickering and freezing issues after the update? Sometimes the screen will flicker and freeze momentarily after i unlock or swipe up or switch between apps. Sometimes the screen will go dark for a moment. And sometimes everything will freeze for 30 secs or longer… It started immediately after the update.

    • Custom Launcher? But yeah, that's dumb.

      Long time Nova, swapped to Square Home. It's got a number of features similar to Nova, and it goes one better with the "live tiles." I've come to accept it as a -close- Nova substitute.

  • The really need to allow us is to shutoff the lowering of headphones it's annoying when your in the gym and the volume goes to 0.

  • Is it just me or did most of these features already exist? Wasn't limiting app time a thing already? Adding more time? Scheduled breaks? Downtime? Am I going insane or wasn't all of that already a part of Digital Wellbeing?

    • I think it's more how it is phrased here. A lot of those changes are coming under Parental Controls — to limit the app time. And those have different limits per day – You could say 1 hour Monday's, 2 hours Tuesday's, etc. – which works differently than the digital wellbeing for the phone itself. Same with adding more time, parent's can give the child more time for one day only, vs a complete schedule change – again, I think that is where the "update" verbiage is coming from.

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