Google Android 16 QPR2 Beta 2 hits supported Pixel handsets with new icon shapes

Last week, the owners of supported Pixel devices started to get busy with Android 16 QPR2 Beta 2. With this release, the API surface is locked, app-facing behaviors are final, and the final stable build is one step closer. 

With this new version, Google introduces developer verification to make everything safer for the end user. According to the Android Developers Blog, "Starting in September 2026 and in specific regions, Android will require apps to be registered by verified developers to be installed on certified Android devices, with an exception made for installs made through the Android Debug Bridge (ADB)." Additionally, Android 16 QPR2 Beta 2 comes with the following highlights:

• Messages that contain an SMS retriever hash will be delayed for most apps to help avoid OTP hijacking.
• App icons and folder previews now have the following shape choices: circle, square, four-sided and seven-sided cookie, and arch.
• Improved garbage collection, which leads to a smoother user experience and increased battery life.
• Native step tracking and expanded exercise data in Health Connect, which now takes full advantage of the device's sensors.

Those who do not own a supported Pixel device and want to try out Android 16 QPR2 Beta 2 can also grab the 64-bit system images with the Android Emulator for Android Studio. Those already in the Android Beta program will get an over-the-air update to Beta 2.