Google is developing a new feature for the Quick Settings tiles related to Internet and Bluetooth in Android 16 Beta 1, which may revert to expanding tiles within the panel itself rather than using floating panels, according to Android Authority.
Google develops new Quick Settings feature for Android 16 Beta 1
The Android 16 Beta 1 was released last week, with limited visible features compared to previous versions. Yet, significant user interface (UI) changes are in progress behind the scenes. Previously reported efforts indicated a major overhaul to notifications and Quick Settings, including plans to split these panels into two separate pages, allowing for improved visibility of notifications and tiles. This alteration may disrupt users’ established muscle memory, but it will not require a two-finger pull-down action for the Quick Settings panel.
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Currently, the Internet and Bluetooth tiles function by popping out into separate floating panels. However, this has not always been the case. From Android 5.1 to Android 8.1, tapping the arrow beneath the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth tiles allowed them to simply expand within the Quick Settings panel. This capability was removed in Android 9 when a redesigned panel was introduced, which remained through Android 12.
Credit: Android Authority
In the exploration of Android 16 Beta 1, code was found for a new “detailed view” feature for Quick Settings tiles. After activation, it was observed that the Internet and Bluetooth tiles expanded to occupy space within the Quick Settings panel, similar to their previous functionality in earlier Android versions. However, the feature is still under development, indicated by issues like duplicated text and lack of data in the expanded tiles.
The timeline for when this feature will officially launch remains uncertain. It may not coincide with the broader Quick Settings redesign anticipated for Android 16, which seems too incomplete to be included in the upcoming stable release expected in Q2. Current issues, including navigation between notifications and Quick Settings panels and bugs in light mode contrast, highlight the unfinished state. Consequently, this feature’s debut may be delayed until subsequent Android updates.
Future Android betas will continue to be monitored for progress on the new Quick Settings panel, which is undergoing comprehensive design changes alongside the introduction of new features such as tile categories and resizable tiles. These developments could lead to the new design being released in an Android 16 QPR or even Android 17.
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