Google today is rolling out a major Android 16 QPR1 update to Pixel devices that brings the Material 3 Expressive redesign. It coincides with the September 2025 Feature Drop and security patch.
The big change on the lockscreen is how the day/date and weather now appear underneath the large clock, or to the right of it in the corner (when notifications are present). You’ll also see the redesigned status bar icons, with Wi-Fi and cellular switching positions and now segmented.
A big overhaul to Quick Settings lets you resize the Tiles to just show the redesigned icons with no text label. Instead of 8 per page in a 2×4 configuration, the maximum is now 16 (4×4). As such, the initial swipe down can show 8 Tiles alongside notifications. When selected, they morph from pills to rounded rectangles. QS Tiles like Bluetooth and Modes let you tap the left icon to quickly toggle on/off. The “Edit tiles” page is also now grouped by: Connectivity, Utilities, Display, Privacy, Accessibility, From system apps, and From apps you installed. The “Reset” button appears at the very bottom of that list.
Media controls get a tweak in the form of rectangular pause/pill-shaped play button, and more vibrant theming.
The volume slider, like brightness, makes use of the latest Material 3 component, with a waveform at the bottom when something is playing. The full panel and Settings > Sound & vibration have also been modernized.
Notifications now show the actual app icon at the left instead of a themed logo. When you slide away an alert, others in the list “subtly respond to your drag.”
Tapping the status bar chip for ongoing calls (phone and Gemini Live) opens the notification instead of the app.
The Pixel Launcher shrinks At a Glance, so you now get an extra row of app icons. Your options are: Small, Medium, Large, and XL. The search bar at the bottom has been redesigned to place the main field into another pill-shaped container, while a new circle at the right lets you access AI Mode (if available). The new gradient ‘G’ logo is also in use.
The app list/grid is now a sheet instead of being fullscreen.
Wallpaper & style gets a big visual redesign and various new options:
- Upon selecting a wallpaper, you can apply one of five shapes and colors, while there’s also the ability to apply a Weather effect: Local, Fog, Rain, Snow, or Sun. Cinematic also remains to apply 3D motion.
- The default lockscreen clock can be customized to be round or sharp (just tap) with an additional width/thickness slider.
- “Notifications on Lock Screen” lets you choose between a Compact View and Full list.
Dynamic Color across the system and in apps is much more vibrant.
The Recents multitasking menu overlays a pill with the app logo and name in the top-left corner. Tapping gives you a dropdown menu.
The Settings app is easier to browse with the addition of colorful icons for each menu. Similarly, every page makes use of containers to better group preferences, with Sound & vibration benefiting from a helpful reorganization. You’ll see thicker bars/indicators throughout and on/off toggles with a checkmark or ‘x’ in the handle.
Android 16 Pixel launch
Android 16 QPR1 is launching and rolling out starting today for the 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, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, and Pixel 9a. It’s already available on the Pixel 10, 10 Pro, and 10 Pro XL, but those devices are getting an update to the September security patch.
Visit Settings > System > System update and click the “Check for update” button if the OTA hasn’t already appeared on your device. Android 16 QPR1 Beta 3.1 users will get a small update to this final release.
The Android Beta Program will remain open and continue testing QPRs and feature drops. To get the stable version, those running Android 16 QPR1 3+ have to opt out first. Devices will not be wiped by the stable OTA once that becomes widely available.
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