Google To Bring Big Changes To Android 16 Quick Settings feature

Google is reportedly working on significant updates to the Quick Settings panel in Android 16, with changes to how some of the most commonly used tiles, like Internet and Bluetooth, function. Here’s everything we know so far about this potential revamp.

A Blast from the Past: Returning to Older Tile Behavior

According to a report from Android Authority, Google is revisiting a design seen in earlier Android versions, specifically the Lollipop to Oreo era. Back then, tapping the Wi-Fi or Bluetooth tile in the Quick Settings panel expanded it to show nearby networks or devices directly within the panel. Currently, in Android 15, tapping on these tiles opens a separate pop-up for more details.

This change was spotted by Android expert Mishaal Rahman, who enabled the new Quick Settings “detailed view” in Android 16 Beta 1. He observed that tapping the Internet or Bluetooth tile now expands the Quick Settings panel itself to display relevant information, eliminating the need for a separate pop-up.

Will It Be Ready for Android 16?

Despite these exciting updates, Rahman notes that the redesigned Quick Settings panel is still in its early stages of development. The beta version has several issues, such as bugs that prevent swiping between the notifications and Quick Settings panels and contrast problems in light mode. Given these challenges, there’s a chance the revamp won’t be fully rolled out with Android 16 when it launches in Q2 this year. Instead, it could appear in a future Android 16 Feature Drop or even be pushed back to Android 17.

What Else to Expect from the Revamped Panel?

Whenever these changes arrive, they’ll likely make the Quick Settings panel even more customizable. Reports suggest a new layout with the option to resize individual tiles. Users will be able to shrink tiles to a 1×1 size, smaller than the current 2×1 layout, allowing up to 16 tiles to fit on a single page.

Looking Ahead

Google has a history of tweaking the Quick Settings panel with nearly every Android release, and it seems Android 16 will be no different. While these updates might take some time to fully roll out, they promise a more streamlined and customizable experience for users.

Stay tuned for more updates as Google continues to refine this redesign!