Nearly a month after dropping the first Android 16 QPR2 beta, Google has pushed the second beta for compatible Pixel phones. And this time, it even includes builds for its newest Pixels — the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro XL.
The most notable user-facing change in Android 16 QPR2 Beta 2 is the ability to use custom app icon shapes. Besides a circle, users will have four different icon shapes to choose from. This addition will go well with the expanded dark theme and auto-theme app icons feature introduced in Beta 1.
Beyond that, most of the update focuses on under-the-hood improvements and refinements. This includes a more efficient garbage collection that can help reduce CPU usage during garbage collection, leading to a less janky experience in apps and lower power consumption. Another highlight is support for step tracking in Health Connect.
Below are Google’s release notes for Android 16 QPR2 Beta 2:
Testing developer verification
Android developer verification is a new requirement designed to link real-world entities (individuals and organizations) with their Android applications to make it harder for bad actors to spread harm.
Starting in September 2026 and in specific regions, Android will require apps to be registered by verified developers to be installed on certified Android devices, with an exception made for installs made through the Android Debug Bridge (ADB).
As a developer, you are free to install apps without verification with ADB. This is designed to support your need to develop and test apps that are not intended or not yet ready to distribute to the wider consumer population.
For apps that enable user-initiated installation of app packages, Android 16 QPR2 Beta 2 contains new APIs that support developer verification during installation, along with a new adb command to let you force a verification outcome for testing purposes.
The delivery of messages containing an SMS retriever hash will be delayed for most apps for three hours to help prevent OTP hijacking. Apps can continue to use the SMS retriever API to access messages intended for them in a timely manner.
Android 16 QPR2 allows users to select from a list of icon shapes that apply to all app icons and folder previews.
More efficient garbage collection
The Android Runtime (ART) now includes a Generational Concurrent Mark-Compact (CMC) Garbage Collector in Android 16 QPR2 that focuses collection efforts on newly allocated objects, which are more likely to be garbage. You can expect reduced CPU usage from garbage collection, a smoother user experience with less jank, and improved battery efficiency.
Automatic step tracking and expanded exercise data in Health Connect
Health Connect now automatically tracks steps using the device’s sensors, and the ExerciseSegment and ExerciseSession data types have been updated.
Pixel 10 OTA not yet live
If your Pixel is already enrolled in the Android Beta Program, an OTA update to Beta 2 (build number BP41.250822.010) should already be available for download on your phone. Alternatively, you can also flash or sideload the OTA image manually.
For Pixel 10 owners, this marks the first Android 16 Quarterly Platform Release beta they can install through the Beta Program. While not mentioned, hopefully, the beta will also include updated GPU drivers to improve the GPU performance. However, the OTA for Beta 2 is not yet live for the new Pixels. The OTA images can be downloaded from Android’s developer site, and you can always manually sideload the beta if you can’t wait for Google to push the OTA.
Based on Google’s release timeline, the next Android 16 QPR2 beta will arrive in November, with the OS hitting platform stability.
