Following last month’s Google Pixel Feature Drop update and Android 13 QPR2 Beta 1 update, the company has begun sending the first Android 13 QPR2 Beta 2 (Quarterly Platform Release) update to compatible pixel devices.
Google rolls out Android 13 QPR2 Beta 2 update
Android 13 QPR2 Beta 2 (T2B2.221216.006) includes the January 2023 security updates, as well as bug fixes and performance and stability optimizations.
Here are the official changelogs for Android 13 QPR2 Beta 2, as well as the changes shared by Mishaal Rahman of Esper.io:
Transient taskbar: A new “transient taskbar” has been added to the taskbar tutorial. The “transient taskbar” design is also functional without root access.
Emoji addition: Unicode 15 emojis are now available.
Dock defender: When you dock the Pixel Tablet, charging will stop when the battery reaches a certain level (likely 80%). The “dock defender” capability extends the Pixel’s “battery defender” (Adaptive Charging) functionality. You can temporarily avoid this by charging the tablet.
Shortcuts: As part of this update, Android now supports displaying a “Shortcuts” tab in Settings > Display > Lock screen, allowing you to customise the lock screen shortcuts. However, this is not yet visible in QPR2 Beta 2 for pixel devices.
Screenshots in work profile folder: Screenshots of apps open in your work profile will be saved in the work profile’s screenshots folder rather than the personal profile’s.
Control devices from lock screen: Android 13 allows you to control your smart home appliances from the lock screen if the app supports it, but you must toggle “display device controls” in Settings > Display > Lock screen.
Generate themed icons: Google is testing the ability to create customised icons for “ANY” app; however, this feature is currently disabled by default.
Transferring an eSIM profile: It may be possible in the future to transfer an eSIM profile from an old Android phone to a new phone, or to convert a physical SIM card profile to an eSIM profile. On Pixel and many GMS devices, Google’s SIM Manager app will support profile transfer.
Android Stylus: A new key layout file for “Android Stylus” has been added. He claims that, while it is currently assigned to a “arbitrary keycode for testing and development,” it may be assigned to the new “notetaking” feature, which launches Google Keep in a floating window or bubble, in the future.
How do you get it?
Users who enrol in the Beta Program for their supported device will be able to see these changes before they are released. If you were a participant in the Android 13 beta, you should continue to receive QPR updates.
Users who enrol can provide feedback to developers and identify QPR release issues. Google has uploaded the image files to its downloads site here for those who can’t wait.
Availability
The Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5, Pixel 5G, Pixel 6 (6, 6 Pro, and 6a), and Pixel 7 series are all compatible with the update.
