Google Beta Tests Android Vitals Metric to Combat Battery Drain

Google's Android 16 Beta 4 update has caused the temporary removal of the Battery health stats page and the Screen-off Fingerprint Unlock toggle from several Pixel devices, though some users report these features still function or can be restored with workarounds such as device restarts or updating Google Play Services. The Battery health page, which helps users monitor battery capacity and longevity, may return in the stable release, but its absence in the beta has frustrated users who value battery diagnostics. Similarly, while the toggle for Screen-off Fingerprint Unlock is missing, the feature itself generally continues to work for those who had it enabled prior to the update, but new users may be unable to activate it. These issues highlight ongoing challenges in Google's rapid Android development cycle, with features sometimes being inadvertently removed or inconsistently deployed across devices. Google has not confirmed if these changes are permanent, leaving users uncertain until the final Android 16 release. The situation underscores both the evolving nature of beta software and the importance of user feedback in shaping final OS features.