Google is wasting no time in enhancing Android 16, with the release of Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2, just hours after the stable version dropped alongside the June Pixel Feature Drop. 
This beta introduces a host of exciting features, with a special focus on enhancing Android’s desktop mode functionality for users who want more out of their devices when connected to larger screens.
For those unfamiliar, Quarterly Platform Releases (QPRs) are designed to bring more significant updates than the standard monthly security patches. While still in beta, Google assures users that QPRs are stable enough for general use. Android 16 QPR1 is set for an official launch in September, but Pixel users can already get a sneak peek at the future of Android.
Weighing in at 401MB, Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 is packed with features, improvements, and bug fixes. One of the most exciting updates is the desktop mode for external displays. When a Pixel 8 or Pixel 9 device is connected to a monitor via DisplayPort, users can access a new desktop session from the Developer options. This setup allows the phone and monitor to function independently. Apps will appear only on the screen they are launched on, and the external monitor will feature a taskbar for pinned and active apps. Users can resize windows and even arrange them side by side, replicating the experience you’d expect from a desktop computer.
If you’re using a Pixel Tablet with display support, the desktop session stretches across both screens, providing a unified workspace where windows, content, and the pointer move seamlessly between displays.
Google has also improved the windowing features from last year. Key updates include:
- Saving window size and position between sessions
- Support for multiple desktop sessions with easy switching via keyboard or gestures
- Flexible window tiling and arrangement
- Multi-window support for apps like Chrome and Keep
- Better compatibility with legacy apps on external monitors
These improvements show that Google is progressively shaping Android to feel more like a desktop operating system when hooked up to larger screens.
The QPR1 Beta 2 also addresses several bugs from the first beta, including fixes for:
- Auto dark theme issues
- Crashing in Now Playing
- Camera launch problems
- Missing app shortcuts after installation
- Home button glitches in the app drawer
- Misaligned “More wallpapers” button
- Gemini not working on the lockscreen
The update is available for a broad range of devices, from the Pixel 6 series to the Pixel 9a. It also includes the June 2025 security patch and can be downloaded by enrolling in the Android Beta for Pixel program.
Google’s decision to release this beta immediately after the Android 16 stable build shows the company’s commitment to staying at the forefront of mobile software innovation. Although not all features will be relevant for every user, the increased focus on productivity tools could make Android much more versatile for those who use their phones for more than just basic tasks. I’m personally looking forward to trying out the desktop mode as soon as possible!
1 comment
It’s great to see Google making Android feel like a desktop OS. But why not get rid of the phone-style notifications bar already? It just doesn’t fit the new desktop vibe lol 😂