Android 16 QPR2 Arrives: New Lockscreen Widgets & Smarter Notifications

The stable Android 16 QPR2 update is now available for a wide range of Pixel devices, rolled out with the December 2025 security patch. This release marks a shift towards more frequent updates, bringing new features as they are ready. Key additions include interactive lockscreen widgets and an intelligent notification organizer that categorizes less urgent alerts, decluttering the notification shade. Customization options have also been expanded with new icon shapes and streamlined shortcut creation.

Users can now personalize their lock screens with widgets, accessible by swiping left, and customize their appearance through a new picker. The notification organizer presents stacked app icons for minimized alerts, improving manageability. Further enhancements include dynamic icon shapes that apply to all apps and updated Pixel Launcher search bar elements for a more vibrant look. Live Caption functionality has been integrated directly into the volume slider for immediate access.

The update also refines the user interface with Material 3 design elements throughout the Settings app. Google encourages users to check for the update manually via System Settings if it hasn't appeared automatically. For those on the beta program, a small update will transition them to this final release, and opting out of the beta is necessary for those running specific beta versions to receive the stable OTA without data loss.