Android 17 QPR2 Beta 3 is a surprisingly feature-packed replace

The replace additionally introduces a safety characteristic designed to guard customers from cellphone scams that trick victims into enabling name forwarding.

Who’s getting Android 17 QPR2 Beta 3?

Google says QPR2 Beta 3 is rolling out as construct CP41.260731.005.A2 for the Pixel 6a, Pixel 7 sequence, Pixel 7a, Pixel Fold, and Pixel Pill, whereas different eligible units get construct CP41.260731.005.B1.

As with QPR2 Beta 1 and Beta 2, the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Professional aren’t supported by this launch. Each telephones will attain 5 years previous earlier than Android 17 QPR2 is anticipated to succeed in its steady launch, marking the top of Google’s software program help for the 2 units.

Homeowners of a Pixel 6a or newer can nonetheless be a part of the Android Beta Program and set up QPR2 Beta 3. Eligible units embrace the Pixel 6a, Pixel 7 sequence, Pixel 8 sequence, Pixel 9 sequence, Pixel 10 sequence, Pixel 10a, Pixel 10 Professional Fold, and Pixel Pill.

In case you’re already enrolled within the Android 17 beta, Google says QPR2 Beta 3 will arrive routinely as an over-the-air replace except you’ve opted out.

Google can be increasing the system’s theming controls with a brand new hue slider alongside 4 predominant shade types.

Google is constant to lean into blur results throughout Android’s system UI. In Android 17 QPR2 Beta 3, the impact has been expanded to extra components of the interface, together with lock display screen shortcuts, the fingerprint button, and notifications.

Android 17 QPR2 Beta 3 additionally brings a helpful change for foldable telephones. Apps operating in home windows now get an app deal with that may be dragged to transition between full-screen and split-screen modes.

There’s additionally a brand new shortcut for opening a bubble in full-screen mode. Rahman notes that in contrast with the Canary construct, the primary distinction is that the “Transfer to fullscreen” shortcut has been moved to the highest of the context menu.

Google is making call-forwarding scams more durable to tug off

One other massive change in Android 17 QPR2 Beta 3 is that Google is including new restrictions designed to guard customers from call-forwarding fraud.

Android 17 will now parse and selectively prohibit call-forwarding USSD codes, together with codes reminiscent of 21, after they’re executed by the TelephonyManager.sendUssdRequest() API.

Below the brand new guidelines, common apps can not use the sendUssdRequest() API to execute call-forwarding codes within the background merely with the CALL_PHONE permission. Makes an attempt will likely be blocked and return a USSD_ERROR_NOT_ALLOWED callback.

In easy phrases, Android 17 will now cease apps from secretly utilizing call-forwarding codes to redirect your calls, including an additional layer of safety in opposition to cellphone scams.

Google can be including an OS-level affirmation dialog when customers manually enter call-forwarding codes by the system dialer. The extra affirmation is meant to make scams more durable to execute, significantly these the place scammers persuade victims to enter a code that silently redirects incoming calls.

Importantly, Google says this transformation doesn’t have an effect on different sorts of USSD requests, reminiscent of mobile-money transfers and account checks.

Android 17 QPR2 Beta 3 additionally fixes some main bugs

Along with the foremost user-facing options, Google can be fixing a number of bugs within the newest construct. One addresses a difficulty wherein opening the notification shade or Fast Settings may cause visible corruption, adopted by an sudden machine restart.

The replace additionally fixes the Gadget Well being and Assist software, which may incorrectly warn customers that their battery capability had degraded.

Furthermore, the replace provides an possibility within the Terminal app to regulate how hyperlinks opened inside a digital machine are dealt with. Customers can select to routinely ahead internet URLs from the VM to the host’s browser or open them inside a browser operating throughout the VM, if one is put in.