Recent findings suggest that Google is gearing up to extend the capabilities of its Pixel Studio app to the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro models. Currently, this innovative app, which harnesses the power of on-device AI and Google’s Imagen 3 AI model to create images from text prompts, is exclusive to the Pixel 9 series.
Evidence of Expansion
Investigations by Android Authority and Assemble Debug have uncovered a new APK stub for Pixel Studio on APK Mirror. This stub appears to originate from the Pixel 8 Pro, coinciding with the recent Android 15 update. Further scrutiny confirmed that the same stub is also pre-installed on the Pixel 8, indicating a potential rollout.
An APK stub serves as a placeholder, mimicking the app it represents but lacking any actual content. Instead, it directs users to the Play Store for the full download. This clever approach allows manufacturers to include apps without consuming significant storage space. However, for Pixel 8 and 8 Pro users to access Pixel Studio, Google must enable the app on the Play Store.
While the APK stub is present in the Android 15 update, the official activation remains pending. Google will need to flip the switch on their end to allow users to download the Pixel Studio app.
Technical Insights
Another noteworthy detail is the removal of the com.google.android.feature.PIXEL2024EXPERIENCE feature flag from the Pixel Studio app. This flag, previously found in all earlier APKs, was designed for devices launched in 2024, specifically the Pixel 9 series. Its elimination hints at Google’s readiness to make the Pixel Studio app available for older devices.
This change also explains why attempts to sideload earlier versions of the Pixel Studio app on the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro have been unsuccessful. Previous APKs included the 2024 feature flag, which is absent in the older models. Consequently, sideloaded versions fail to launch without this requisite flag.
As it stands, there are no indications that the Pixel 7 series will receive the Pixel Studio app, as the APK stub has not been detected on the Pixel 7 running Android 15.
