Android 17 is bringing a few exciting improvements to Google Pixel phones, and Bubbles may be the biggest one. Pop-up and floating windows are nothing new for Android users, but they've never been built into Pixel UI. Instead, power users had to turn to other operating systems like Samsung's One UI to multitask with floating windows.
What you need to know
- Pixel users on the Google Pixel subreddit report 5G connectivity problems shortly after downloading Android 17.
- Users state their device will no longer hold 5G, as their device resorts to LTE; however, some have found relief by placing their phone in Repair Mode and restarting.
- Other Android 17 issues affecting Pixels include vanishing home screen widgets, but Google states it's working on a fix for that.
What you need to know
- Some Android 17 users report home screen widgets disappearing after installing the stable update.
- The bug appears limited to devices that have a work profile configured on the phone.
- Google has acknowledged the issue and says a software update with a fix is already in development.
If you're facing an issue where widgets are disappearing from your home screen after updating to Android 17, Google is alr
The last few Android releases have all been about refinement instead of overhaul. We're well past the point where a new version of Android introduces a boatload of new features; instead, Google is all about tightening the security, making Android easier to use across form factors, and delivering a consistent design.
What you need to know
- Paul Dunlop, Google's product lead for Android Onboarding and Android Settings, discussed major upgrades to Android 17's tool for switching from iPhone.
- The Android Switch tool now supports "more data than ever," capable of capturing an iPhone's messages (group chats included), files, passwords, passkeys, and more.
- Dunlop states this is rolling out for a "small percentage of Android 17 devices" today (June 17).
Signing up for the Android Beta for Pixel program can be really exciting. You get to test out new features that aren't publicly available yet, and Google uses your feedback to make meaningful changes before the public rollout.
The Android Beta has plenty of downsides. You may encounter glitches, errors, or hangs. Some users have even reported data loss in the past. Once you start experiencing such problems, it is reason enough to want to leave the Android Beta program.
What you need to know
- Android 17 is now rolling out to Pixel 6 and newer devices after months of beta testing.
- App Bubbles let you keep full apps in floating windows for faster multitasking on large-screen devices.
- Screen Reactions can record your selfie camera and screen together without needing extra editing apps.
- Android 17 adds stronger security with improved threat detection and a more powerful Mark as Lost mode.
Android 17 QPR1 Beta 4 introduces the new Screen Reactions feature alongside bug fixes.
Here are the iOS 27 features that would make Android better if Google copied them.
Tired of using a third-party app or Gemini to recognize songs? You can do it in three ways using Circle to Search instead.