Earlier this month, Google introduced the stable Android 16 QPR3 update, commonly known as the March 2026 Pixel update, to users of Pixel devices. Many users have already embraced this update, but a subtle change has stirred some discontent among the community, particularly regarding the Recent apps screen. This alteration, which was initially observed during testing in January, has now been confirmed as part of the latest stable release.
You can no longer save images easily from the Recents screen
For those who have utilized the long-press feature or the Select tool on the Recent apps screen, you may be familiar with one of Android’s more discreet productivity enhancements. These methods allowed users to extract text and images directly from app previews, providing a convenient shortcut that eliminated the need to sift through various apps or screenshots.
Previously, selecting an image would present a range of options, including the ability to save it directly to Photos, share it, or open it with Google Lens. However, following the March update, this functionality has been notably diminished. Users will now find only the options to Copy, Share, and Edit when selecting images, with the direct save option to Photos being removed.
For those still wishing to save images, a workaround exists, albeit a less intuitive one. Users can navigate to the share sheet and select the “Upload to Photos” option, which is somewhat hidden among other choices. While this method does allow for saving images to Google Photos, it is a more time-consuming process compared to the previous straightforward save option. Alternatively, sharing the selected image with Files by Google will also save it to Photos, but it will end up in the Downloads folder instead.
As for the functionality previously offered by Google Lens, users can explore alternatives such as Circle to Search or the “Google Search Image” option found in the share sheet, which effectively replicates a Lens search. However, this method lacks the convenience of having the Lens button readily accessible in the former user interface.
While many users may not have been aware of this feature’s existence, its utility becomes apparent once integrated into daily use, offering a surprisingly efficient means to capture images or text from apps without resorting to screenshots. If you’ve recently updated your Pixel and sensed a shift in the Recents screen, rest assured, your observations are indeed valid.
