Android Archives

AppWizard

July 2, 2026

Today’s Android app deals and freebies: DREDGE, Bendy Lone Wolf, Ninja Hero Cats, more

A selection of Android games and apps are currently on sale, including DREDGE, Bendy: Lone Wolf, Zero Stress King: Idle Defense, Farm Invasion USA – Premium, Ninja Hero Cats Premium, Guns’n’Glory Premium, and Little Berry Forest 2: Stars. There are significant discounts on Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra models, with savings of up to 6 for open-box units. The LG 4th of July sale features the 2026 C6 and G6 OLED TVs at discounts reaching 0, and Acer’s Swift Go 2K touchscreen PC is also discounted. Additional Android apps are seeing price reductions, including new releases and classic favorites, along with exclusive discounts on in-app purchases.

AppWizard

July 2, 2026

Pixel users aren’t receiving calls, but the issue might be Google’s phone app

Pixel users are experiencing a "missing incoming call" bug that prevents notifications for incoming calls across various Pixel devices. This issue is linked to the Google Phone app and has persisted for several months, affecting users even after updates, including those on the Android 17 QPR1 Beta 5. Reports indicate that some users have resolved the issue by disabling the Call Screen feature. Android Central has noted the problem and reached out to Google for clarification.

AppWizard

July 2, 2026

Android Auto more widely rolling out updates for Spotify and YouTube Music apps

Android Auto is rolling out updates for its media applications, including a redesigned Spotify music player that features a visually appealing layout with blurred album art, a Material 3 Expressive tracking bar, and a more intuitive button arrangement. This redesign, which started appearing in January, is now more widely available. Other apps like YouTube Music and Pocket Casts are also expected to receive similar design enhancements. YouTube Music has introduced a more prominent “Thumbs Down” icon for easier management of listening preferences, but some users have reported an issue with the “Library” tab disappearing, which can be resolved by resetting the app.

AppWizard

July 2, 2026

Android 17 QPR1 Beta 6 brings a major power-user upgrade to the Terminal app

The Android 17 QPR1 beta has introduced a new feature called "Keyboard shortcuts" in the Linux Terminal app, allowing users to customize key combinations for various Terminal functions. This feature can be found under Settings > Keyboard shortcuts, enabling users to toggle shortcuts on or off and assign their preferred key combinations. It is particularly beneficial for Pixel devices in Desktop mode and tablet users with keyboard accessories, enhancing productivity for power users. The utility of this feature is limited on smartphones but is advantageous for those using physical keyboards.

AppWizard

July 2, 2026

Google is still working on a missing Android 17 feature behind the scenes

The anticipated App Lock feature is absent in the latest Android 17 stable release, despite earlier Canary builds suggesting its inclusion. Recent findings in the Android 17 QPR1 Beta 6 indicate that Google is still developing the feature, which will allow users to lock multiple applications simultaneously through the Settings app, improving upon the previous method of securing apps one at a time. Additionally, Google is exploring a feature that restricts app access to biometric authentication only, disabling the traditional PIN-unlock option. Although App Lock is not present in the current beta, ongoing development suggests it may be introduced in the future.

AppWizard

July 2, 2026

Android’s Linux Terminal no longer restricts you to a single font and window in QPR1 Beta 6

The Android 17 QPR1 Beta 6 has introduced enhancements to the Linux Terminal app, including the ability to import custom fonts from phone storage and multi-window support. Users can now select their preferred font as the default and open new terminal windows via the three-dot overflow menu, with each window appearing in Android’s recents screen. The Linux Terminal app debuted on Pixel devices during the March 2025 Pixel Drop and has seen several improvements since its launch.

BetaBeacon

July 2, 2026

Pixel phones are reportedly choking on basic games after Android 17

Pixel phones are facing gaming performance issues after the Android 17 update. Some affected games include Brawl Stars, Clash Royale, and Hill Climb Racing 2. Users have tried makeshift solutions but are waiting for an official resolution from Google. The Pixel 10, Pixel 9, and Pixel 8 series are the most impacted. The exact cause of the problem is unclear, with some pointing to the Android 17 update or recent Play Services updates. Users have suggested clearing the cache for Google Play services and adjusting GPU driver preferences as potential solutions.

BetaBeacon

July 2, 2026

Playing games got worse for some Pixels on Android 17

Google's new system called DeliQueue was meant to improve gaming performance on Android 17, but instead, it has caused a bug that is making gaming worse.

BetaBeacon

July 2, 2026

There’s now a fan-made port of these classic Star Wars games for Android

- Fan-made Android ports of Star Wars games Jedi Academy and Jedi Outcast were available over a decade ago but have since been abandoned. - A modern port called Psi-Touch is now available, allowing users to play Jedi Outcast, Jedi Academy, and Dark Forces on Android devices. - Setting up the port requires PC game files to be copied onto the Android device in specific folders. - Jedi Academy runs smoothly on Android devices and supports mods, gamepad controls, touch controls, auto-aim functionality, gyroscope support, console access, and other enhancements.

AppWizard

July 2, 2026

All Android users just got an important backup feature

Google is introducing a selective backup feature for Android users, allowing granular control over app data management. This update is initially rolling out to Pixel devices and users of Google Play Services version 26.24. Users can now selectively manage backups for each app, which helps conserve cloud storage space. The feature is available for those using Android 16 and Android 17, with other manufacturers expected to adopt it soon. Once activated, data is securely backed up to the cloud, but users should be aware that disabling backup for an app will permanently delete its previously backed-up data. To manage backups, users can go to their device’s settings under Google Services > Backup > Backup details. The rollout is gradual, primarily targeting Google Pixel smartphones. Most users will receive the update automatically, and they can check their version of Google Play Services in the settings.