Android 16 Beta 3 Targets September Launch with Crucial Fixes
Google Drops Latest Quarterly Platform Release for Pixel Devices
Google is advancing the development of Android 16, pushing out the third Quarterly Platform Release (QPR1) beta to Pixel devices. This update, landing ahead of the projected September stable release, addresses a range of critical bugs impacting device stability and user experience.
Key Stability Improvements Detailed
The latest beta, identified as BP31.250610.004 and including the July 2025 security patch, tackles numerous issues. These include resolutions for RTOS task list corruption and class loader problems that were causing unexpected phone restarts. Users experiencing launcher display inconsistencies and problems with the notification media player will also find improvements.
Specific fixes target missing status bar icon padding and breaks in notification shade message folding. Additionally, the update aims to resolve a critical bug where the camera would present a black screen at startup, rendering it non-functional.
Broad Pixel Device Support
This beta is available for a wide array of Google’s Pixel hardware. Eligible devices include the Pixel 6 series (Pixel 6, 6 Pro, 6a), Pixel 7 series (Pixel 7, 7 Pro, 7a), Pixel 8 series (Pixel 8, 8 Pro, 8a), the latest Pixel 9 models (Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, 9 Pro Fold, 9a), as well as the Pixel Tablet and Pixel Fold. The Android Emulator also receives the update.
Installation and Feedback Channels
For most users, the easiest way to install Android 16 QPR1 Beta 3 is through the Android Beta Program. Alternatively, advanced users can flash or sideload the update manually. The on-device OTA update for the Pixel 9a is approximately 529 MB.
Google encourages user feedback through the dedicated Android Beta Feedback app, accessible via the app drawer or Quick Settings. Submissions are directly linked to the Google issue tracker. Community discussions are also hosted on Reddit.
The rollout demonstrates Google’s commitment to iterative development. Beta testing is crucial for ironing out kinks; for example, in Q1 2024, Android beta programs helped identify and fix over 3,000 critical bugs before public release (Android Developers Blog).
Direct Download Links Available
For those opting for manual installation, direct OTA download links have been provided for various Pixel models:
- Pixel 9a — OTA
- Pixel 9 Pro Fold — OTA
- Pixel 9 Pro XL — OTA
- Pixel 9 Pro — OTA
- Pixel 9 — OTA
- Pixel 8a — OTA
- Pixel 8 Pro — OTA
- Pixel 8 — OTA
- Pixel Fold — OTA
- Pixel Tablet — OTA
- Pixel 7a — OTA
- Pixel 7 Pro — OTA
- Pixel 7 — OTA
- Pixel 6a — OTA (not currently available)
- Pixel 6 Pro — OTA
- Pixel 6 — OTA
