Google Begins Android 16 Beta Testing With Material 3 Redesign

Google has begun rolling out the Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1, which introduces the Material 3 Expressive redesign featuring refreshed visuals for notifications, quick settings, lock screen, and the launcher across eligible Pixel devices. This update is part of Google's Quarterly Platform Releases and includes new customization options, springier animations, updated dynamic color themes, and performance improvements. One of the highlighted new features is "Live Updates," similar to Apple's Live Activities, which will display real-time progress for apps like Google Maps, Uber Eats, and Waymo One on the home and lock screens. However, Google has indicated that Live Updates will not be available in the initial QPR1 beta and will roll out gradually over the next year due to the need for app support. The Android 16 update and its features were showcased at Google I/O 2025, where Google also focused on AI advancements and its mixed reality platform Android XR. Users with Pixel devices from Pixel 6 through Pixel 9a and Pixel Tablet can enroll to beta test these new features, but the software remains in development and may have some instability.