The new Android 16 QPR3 starts with the March 2026 security patch for Pixel 6, 6 Pro, 6a, 7, 7 Pro, 7a, Tablet, Fold, 8, 8 Pro, 8a, 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, 9 Pro Fold, 9a, Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, Pixel 10 Pro Fold, and Pixel 10a. Along with that, we also get the latest Pixel Feature Drop.
See also: Samsung updated these Galaxy devices to Android 16
There are several interface changes in Android 16 QPR3, starting with the ability to remove “At a Glance” from the top of your first home screen. To do this, long-press anywhere on Home Screen Settings > At a Glance (gear icon) > “Show on home screen.”
The changes to the Pixel Launcher continue with a new animation when opening/closing app folders and adjustments to widget sizes, while Themed Icons have been renamed to “ Minimal .” There are also other improvements to the “ Edit Tiles ” page and a new “ No Recents ” screen in Recent Apps if you don’t have any apps open.
See also: Android developers can create apps with the Swift language
In Quick Settings, Pixel phones now allow you to adjust “Lens Intensity.” In the 1×1 configuration, tap and hold to bring up the vertical slider. If you’re using the 2×1 tile, tap on the right side. A bigger change is how Location status is now represented by a blue dot or chip to match the Camera and Microphone indicators.
The Settings app sees the System page reorganized into various headings, while Samsung's Button Navigation for Recents, Home, Back (as opposed to Back, Home, Recents) is now available as a navigation mode option.
Google is also launching a Pixel desktop experience with windowing when you connect an external display, keyboard, and mouse. Desktop windowing is also coming to the Pixel Tablet with Android version 16 QPR3.
See also: Pixel phones are getting “notification summaries”
There are 63 security issues resolved in the Android 16 March patch dated 2026-03-01 and 66 for 2026-03-05. The vulnerabilities range from “High” to “Critical” severity.
