The Android 16 QPR2 update was launched early this morning and is the last one given for 2025. Through it, several new features are introduced to make it easier to use the device, especially in generating notification summaries, device control by parents and guardians, and accessibility features for users with disabilities.
We start with the smart notification feature that summarizes long messages and conversation threads in messaging applications. Notifications can also be grouped into specific categories according to importance. Important notifications will be displayed higher in the notification tray.
The interface is further enhanced with the option to further personalize the shape of the icon, theme support with special icon packs, and automatic dark theme. Applications that do not have native dark theme support can be forced to change to a dark mode that is not painful to the eyes.
For parents and guardians, control of children's devices can be done directly from the child's device. A passcode is entered and the child's device can be changed directly without them having to open the Family Link application on their own phone.
In terms of accessibility, the Expressive Captions feature will automatically caption the video you are watching with voice expressions. This will allow deaf users to understand the audio context in videos that they cannot hear.
For those who use a mouse with Android devices, the AutoClick feature will click when the arrow is placed on an interface element. Users can set the waiting time before AutoClick performs a screen pressure on their behalf.
Guided Frame in the camera application will give users with impaired vision a narration of what is seen through the camera viewfinder. This will allow better picture taking.
Next, Voice Access allows Android phones to be fully controlled using the owner's voice commands. Finally, Google Fast Pair now supports tethering Demant hearing aids. Starting next year, Starkey hearing aids will also be supported.
All Android 16 QPR updates can be downloaded on supported Google Pixel devices today, with other Android devices depending on the manufacturer.
