Google has released Android 17 QPR2 Beta 3 for supported Pixel phones, bringing several useful changes ahead of the stable QPR2 update expected in December this year.
Unlike Google's usual Tuesday releases, this beta arrived on a Friday and introduces new privacy, customisation and security features alongside a handful of bug fixes. Mishaal Rahman, Community Engagement Manager for Android, took to an X post to list everything that's new with the update.
Android 17 QPR2 Beta 3 Update: Every New Feature
The biggest addition in Beta 3 is App lock, giving Pixel phones a built-in way to protect individual apps with their fingerprint or PIN.
Users can long-press an app icon and select App lock from the shortcut menu. Once enabled, Android requires system authentication before the app can be opened again. The feature also hides the app's notification content and removes its widgets and shortcuts from the home screen.
Google lets users manage locked apps from Settings -> Security & privacy -> App lock, where they can add or remove apps whenever needed.
There is one limitation, though. AI agents and other services that already have permission to access a locked app can continue to read its data. In other words, App lock is primarily designed to prevent someone from manually accessing an app rather than blocking background access.
The App lock feature was spotted in Android Canary 2608 build earlier this month and has now been made accessible to a wider audience.
Apart from this, Android 17 QPR2 Beta 3 also gives users more control over the Quick Settings Layout. Tapping the pencil icon while editing Quick Settings now brings up a Layout tab. From here, users can change the order of the Brightness bar, Tiles and Media player.
All three sections have to remain on the panel, but users can arrange them in six different combinations depending on their preference. This One UI-like Quick Settings customisation feature has been carried over from the Canary build as well.
Additionally, Google is also expanding Dynamic Colour theming across more parts of the Pixel UI. The system has relied on wallpaper-based colour extraction since Android 12 and this update appears to take that customisation further across the OS.
The Android 17 QPR2 Beta 3 update brings a slider to tweak the system hues and also offers four main colour styles to choose from.
The lock screen is getting a visual change too, with a new blur effect that gives the interface a softer appearance and adds more separation between the wallpaper and on-screen elements. The blur effect has expanded to the fingerprint button and notifications as well.
Security is another major focus of the Android 17 QPR2 Beta 3 update. Google is introducing new safeguards against call-forwarding scams, where malicious apps or social-engineering attacks can trick users into redirecting incoming calls to another number.
Android 17 now restricts call-forwarding USSD codes such as *21* when they're triggered through the TelephonyManager.sendUssdRequest() API. Apps with only the CALL_PHONE permission will no longer be able to silently execute these codes in the background.
Moreover, Android 17 QPR2 Beta 3 also makes multitasking on foldable devices more intuitive with a new app handle for open windows. Users can drag the handle to quickly switch an app between full-screen and split-screen views, making it easier to manage multiple apps without diving into menus.
Google has also added a shortcut to open bubbles in full-screen view. Compared to the earlier Canary build, the main change is that the "Move to fullscreen" option now sits at the top of the window's context menu for quicker access.
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Android 17 QPR2 Beta 3 Also Brings Bug Fixes
Users who manually enter a call-forwarding USSD code in the dialer will also see a new system confirmation prompt before it is executed.
Importantly, Google says other USSD codes used for such things such as checking balances or mobile money services aren't affected by this change.
However, the Android 17 QPR2 Beta 3 update isn't all about new features. Google has also addressed an issue where opening the notification shade or Quick Settings could cause visual glitches and, in some cases, trigger an unexpected restart.
Another fix addresses a bug that showcased incorrect battery degradation warnings in the Device Health and Support system.
That said, the Android 17 QPR2 Beta 3 update carries the build numbers CP41.260731.005.A2 and CP41.260731.005.B1. It is now rolling out to supported Pixel devices, including the Pixel 6a and newer phones, the Pixel Tablet and Pixel Fold models.
Interested users can enrol their compatible Google device in the Android Beta Program. Once that's done, they can simply head over to Settings -> System -> Software updates on the device to download and install the update.
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