If you’re still dealing with apps that burn your retinas at night, Google has finally heard your cries. The tech giant dropped Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1 right after wrapping up its Pixel 10 launch event, and honestly, it feels like they saved the best for last.
I’ve been testing this update for a few days now, and let me tell you—this isn’t just another incremental beta release. Google has tackled some genuinely annoying pain points that have been bothering Android users for years.
Finally, True Dark Mode Everywhere
The headline feature here is something I never thought I’d see: forced dark mode. You know those stubborn apps like Fitbit, Airbnb, or DoorDash that still blind you with white backgrounds even when you’ve got system-wide dark mode enabled? Well, those days are officially numbered.
Google has added an “Expanded dark theme” toggle that automatically inverts light interfaces when dark mode is active. I tested this on my Pixel 9 Pro with the notoriously bright Fitbit app—Google’s own app, mind you, that somehow never got a proper dark theme—and it works beautifully. The interface swaps to dark backgrounds with light text, and it doesn’t look like a cheap inversion filter either.
Google is positioning this as an accessibility feature for users with photosensitivity or reading difficulties, but let’s be real—we all benefit from not getting flashbanged by our phones at 2 AM.
Icon Theming Gets Smarter
The auto-themed app icons feature is another welcome addition that shows Google is paying attention to the details. If a developer hasn’t bothered to create themed icons for their app, Android now automatically generates them using a color filtering algorithm.
I’ve noticed this working particularly well with apps that previously stuck out like sore thumbs in themed setups. The system adds subtle color tints to maintain visual consistency across your home screen. There’s even a new “Minimal” option that applies themes to supported apps while adding tasteful color touches to others.
Interestingly, there’s also a “Create” option in the settings that currently shows “App Isn’t Installed”. This hints that Google might be planning a dedicated icon customization app for the stable release—something power users have been requesting for ages.
Lock Screen Widgets Make a Comeback
Remember lock screen widgets from the Android 4.2 days? They’re back, and they’re actually useful this time. Google has added a toggle in the lock screen settings that enables a widget panel accessible by swiping right from your lock screen.
The implementation is thoughtful—you can long-press to edit or add widgets, making it easy to customize your experience. Google does warn about privacy implications since “anyone can view them,” but for quick information like weather or calendar events, this could be incredibly handy.
Under-the-Hood Improvements That Actually Matter
Beyond the flashy user-facing features, QPR2 Beta 1 includes several improvements that developers and power users will appreciate:
Enhanced HDR brightness controls give you granular control over how HDR content appears on your display. I found this particularly useful for fine-tuning video playback—the intensity slider lets you dial in exactly how punchy you want your HDR content to look.
Smoother Android migrations should make switching phones less of a headache. Google has refined the data transfer process, though I haven’t had a chance to test this extensively yet.
Granular haptic feedback control opens up new possibilities for app developers to create more nuanced tactile experiences. This could lead to more sophisticated feedback patterns in games and productivity apps.
Getting Your Hands on QPR2 Beta 1
The update is rolling out to Pixel devices from the 6 series through the latest Pixel 9 models. If you’re already enrolled in the Android 16 beta program, you should receive the OTA update automatically through Settings > System > Software updates.
For newcomers, you can join the beta program at google.com/android/beta, though keep in mind this is beta software with potential stability issues. The build number is BP41.250725.006 and includes the August 2025 security patch.
Here’s something important to note: if you want to install the stable Android 16 QPR1 update when it arrives next month, you’ll need to opt out of the beta program first. QPR1 is bringing the Material 3 Expressive redesign and other features, so you might want to consider your timing.
The Bigger Picture
What strikes me about this release is how Google is addressing real user frustrations rather than just adding flashy features. The forced dark mode alone will improve the daily experience for millions of users who’ve been stuck with inconsistent theming across their apps.
The beta program runs through Q4 2025, with multiple builds planned before the stable release in December. Google has also introduced a “platform stability milestone” for QPR releases, suggesting they’re taking beta quality more seriously.
For developers, the extensive API additions around media, connectivity, and productivity tools signal that Google is serious about making Android 16 a significant platform update rather than just an incremental refresh.
Should You Install It?
If you’re comfortable with beta software and use a Pixel device as your daily driver, QPR2 Beta 1 feels surprisingly stable for an early release. The dark mode improvements alone might be worth the potential hassles for some users.
However, remember this is still beta software. Stick with stable releases if you depend on your phone for critical tasks or aren’t comfortable troubleshooting occasional issues.
The December stable release isn’t that far away, and based on what I’ve seen so far, Android 16 QPR2 is shaping up to be one of the more user-focused updates Google has delivered in recent memory. Sometimes the best features are the ones that fix everyday annoyances—and this update delivers exactly that.
