Android 16 Stable Update Rolls Out to Pixel Phones; Material 3 Expressive and Desktop Mode Set to Launch Later This Year

By Ashwini Kuldeep on Jun 11, 2025 07:08 AM

After several months of beta testing, Google has officially begun rolling out the stable Android 16 update to Pixel smartphones today, as expected.

Smarter Notifications -

Android 16 streamlined notifications 1 Android 16 notification grouping 1.

Android 16 introduces “live updates” for notifications, starting with ride-sharing and food delivery apps. This feature delivers real-time updates directly within notifications, reducing the need to open apps.

Google is working with partners like Samsung, OPPO, and OnePlus to bring this feature to other Android platforms, such as Samsung’s Now Bar and Live Alerts on OPPO and OnePlus devices. Additionally, notifications from the same app will now be grouped automatically, minimizing clutter.

Improved Call Experience for Hearing Aid Users -

Android 16 Enhanced Calling and control for Hearing devices 1.

Android 16 brings significant upgrades for users with hearing devices. In noisy environments, users can now switch to their phone’s microphone during calls, addressing limitations in current LE Audio hearing aids that rely on front-facing microphones.

The update also introduces native hearing device controls, allowing users to adjust settings like volume directly from their Android device.

Enhanced Security with Advanced Protection -

Android 16 advanced protection 1

Android 16 includes a new “Advanced Protection” mode—Google’s highest level of mobile security to date. This optional feature offers comprehensive safeguards against online threats, malicious apps, phishing websites, and scam calls.

Productivity Upgrades for Tablets -

Android 16 tablet design 1

In partnership with Samsung, Android 16 introduces desktop windowing for large-screen devices. This new mode allows users to open, move, and resize multiple apps on the same screen, mirroring a desktop-like experience. It complements the existing single-app and split-screen functionalities and will launch later this year on supported devices.

Android 16 tablet custom keyboard shortcuts 1.

Future updates will bring custom keyboard shortcuts, taskbar overflow support, and extended productivity features like external display connectivity. Developer testing for these capabilities is already underway.

Additional Features -

Android 16 also adds several other enhancements, including:

HDR screenshots
Adaptive refresh rate support
Improved identity verification features

How to Get Android 16 -

The stable Android 16 update is now rolling out via OTA (Over-the-Air) for the following Pixel devices:

Pixel 6 Series: Pixel 6, 6 Pro, 6a
Pixel 7 Series: Pixel 7, 7 Pro, 7a
Pixel 8 Series: Pixel 8, 8 Pro, 8a
Pixel 9 Series: Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9a, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold
Pixel Fold
Pixel Tablet

Users can also install it manually via the Android Developers website. Those already enrolled in the beta program will automatically receive QPR1 (Quarterly Platform Release 1), which includes all current features from the stable release.

Material 3 Expressive and Desktop Mode Arriving Later This Year -

Google has confirmed its commitment to quarterly Android releases, with the latest updates bringing fresh design and productivity features.

The Material 3 Expressive design refresh—which includes updated visuals for notifications, quick settings, the lock screen, and the launcher—is already available in the Android 16 QPR beta released last month. Additionally, Google rolled out the Android 16 QPR2 beta today, which also introduces Desktop Mode.

Looking ahead, Google has announced that the Material 3 Expressive design updates will officially arrive on Android 16 and Wear OS 6 for Pixel devices later this year with the QPR1 stable update, expected in September 2025.