Android 17 is here!
Google has begun rolling out Android 17 for Pixel smartphones and tablets. The new version isn’t a major revolution, but it does add a range of handy improvements for everyday use. At the same time, the June 2026 Pixel Feature Drop is also being released, bringing extra features to Pixel devices.
Bubbles
One of the most striking additions in Android 17 is the new app bubbles. These allow you to open almost any app in a floating window on top of other apps. This means you can keep notes, maps or sports results within easy reach without having to switch apps constantly. On foldable Pixel Fold devices, a special Bubble Bar even appears for this purpose.
Screen Reactions
The screen recorder has also been given a major revamp. It’s now controlled via a floating menu, and you can use Screen Reactions. This lets you overlay a selfie video with a green-screen effect onto your screen recording, which is particularly useful for tutorial videos and content creation.
Google has also refined various aspects of Android. For example, the privacy indicators for the camera, microphone and location have been made more compact; Wi-Fi and mobile data are now separate toggles in the quick settings; and you can specify per app whether an extended dark theme is applied.
You’ll have more control over your privacy. For example, apps can now access specific contacts rather than your entire address book. Location settings have also been made clearer, with separate options for precise or approximate location data.
Gaming
Google also has something new in store for gamers with a foldable phone. Android 17 introduces a special gaming view where the top half of the screen is used for the game and the bottom half turns into a virtual game controller. According to Google, this feature will be rolled out in the coming months.
Visually, there are also a few minor tweaks. Widgets now have a blurred background, system animations are smoother, and you can now hide app names on the home screen for a cleaner look.
In addition to Android 17, the Pixel Feature Drop brings further enhancements. For example, the ‘Capture a Message’ feature, which automatically transcribes missed calls, is being rolled out to the Netherlands, amongst other countries. Pixel users will also gain access to new Gemini features for music creation and video editing, although these are currently only available in selected countries.
Rollout
Android 17 is being rolled out from today to supported Pixel devices, including the Pixel 6, Pixel 7, Pixel 8, Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 series, the Pixel Fold and the Pixel Tablet. You can check whether the update is already available via Settings > System > System update.
