Pixel Studio Archives

AppWizard

November 7, 2025

New Theme Packs app suggests Google’s next big Pixel update isn’t far off

Google is introducing one-tap system theming support for its Pixel devices through a new Theme Packs app available on the Play Store. This feature allows users to easily personalize their devices by updating wallpapers, icons, and sounds with a single tap. The first theme, inspired by the musical Wicked: For Good!, includes three styles: For Good, Glinda, and Elphaba, each altering the wallpaper, system colors, and sounds. The Theme Packs are compatible with Pixel 6 and newer models and are expected to be fully functional after the November Feature Drop, which will also introduce new features like "Pixel VIPs" for special alerts. The app allows for selective application of individual elements and emphasizes ease of personalization.

AppWizard

June 25, 2025

How to create custom AI stickers on a Google Pixel phone

Google has introduced the Pixel Studio app for the Pixel 9 series, allowing users to access custom AI-generated images and stickers. The custom AI stickers feature was launched with the June 2025 Pixel Feature Drop and is exclusive to the Google Pixel 9 series, including the Pixel 9, Pixel 9a, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold. This functionality is available for devices set to English, Japanese, or German. Users must update to Android 16 and may need to update Gboard and Pixel Studio via the Google Play Store to access the feature. To create custom AI stickers, users can open the keyboard in any app, tap the emoji symbol, press the AI sticker button, and follow the prompts to generate and save their stickers. Custom AI stickers cannot depict anything resembling a person. The base-model Google Pixel 9 supports the latest AI innovations, including custom AI stickers.

AppWizard

May 7, 2025

Google just gave the Pixel Watch app a fresh light theme makeover

Google's Pixel Watch companion app has transitioned to a light theme, moving away from its previous dark aesthetics. This change has been rolled out via a server-side update, with users noticing the new vibrant white backdrop on their Android devices. There is no option to toggle between themes in the app settings, indicating that the update was implemented without user intervention. The last official app update was version 3.4, released in April. The app operates independently of the phone's theme settings. Earlier this year, Pixel Studio also adopted a light theme, while the Clock app remains dark. The Pixel Watch is expected to receive a significant operating system update, possibly introducing Wear OS 6 based on Android 16, during the Google I/O 2025 event, but it will continue to run on Android 15 for now.

AppWizard

March 5, 2025

Google is finally dropping this annoying limitation from the Pixel Studio app

Google has begun rolling out the March 2025 Pixel Drop, which includes significant updates for the Pixel 9 series. The Pixel Studio app has been upgraded to allow users to generate images of people using text prompts, a feature that was previously unavailable. Users can create personalized images by describing individuals or scenes and specifying artistic styles like “video game” or “3D cartoon.” This feature supports English, Japanese, and German, though availability may vary by region. Additional enhancements in the update include AI-powered scam protection, multi-cam streaming support, improvements to the screenshot experience, an expanded Satellite SOS feature for more users in the U.S., and new photo and video tools specifically for the Pixel Fold.

AppWizard

March 5, 2025

Google rolls out new AI-powered scam detection feature in Messages app

Google Messages has introduced several new features for Android and Pixel users, focusing on user safety and connectivity. Key updates include an AI-driven scam detection tool that analyzes SMS, MMS, and RCS messages in real time to identify potential scams, alerting users to suspicious messages. This feature is initially available in English in the US, UK, and Canada, and it prioritizes user privacy by processing data on the device. Users can also share their live location with trusted contacts through a new feature integrated with the Find My Device app, which allows for real-time location sharing while maintaining control over who can access this information. Additionally, exclusive features for the Pixel 9 model include enhanced connectivity options for linking GoPro cameras and other Pixel phones, as well as upgrades to the Pixel Studio app for creating stylized images and stickers.

AppWizard

March 5, 2025

March 2025 Feature Drop: Connected Pixel 9 Camera, Satellite SOS expands, app updates

Google has announced the March 2025 Pixel Feature Drop alongside Android 15 QPR2, which includes various enhancements for first-party applications, camera functionalities, and connectivity options. The update features Gemini Live powered by Gemini 2.0 Flash, enabling multilingual conversations in over 45 languages. The Pixel 6+ introduces Talk Live for discussions about images and videos, while the Pixel 9 series gains a "Connected Camera" feature for livestreaming with GoPro HERO10 Black or newer devices. The Pixel Fold series adds Dual Screen mode for video recording. The Satellite SOS service is now available in Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, the UK, and Europe for Pixel 9 users, allowing emergency contact without cellular coverage. T-Mobile and Verizon users can utilize carrier satellite messaging for emergency calls and texts. The Pixel Studio app on the Pixel 9 series can now generate images of people, and Pixel Screenshots will suggest items for Collections. Japanese users gain access to Pixel Screenshots, Studio, AI summaries, and weather reports, while German users receive similar enhancements. The Phone by Google app introduces real-time Scam Detection, and Google Messages will show scam alerts in conversations. The Gboard Voice Toolbar is now available on phones.

AppWizard

December 26, 2024

Recap: Pixel updates, Feature Drops, and new apps in 2024

In 2024, Made by Google released multiple updates for the Pixel phone, introducing new features and enhancing existing functionalities across six updates. - January Feature Drop: Launched with the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, it included the Pixel Thermometer app for forehead temperature readings, Circle to Search, and the rebranding of Quick Share from Nearby Share. - March Feature Drop: Introduced with Android 14 QPR2, it featured an expandable Bluetooth Quick Settings Tile, a Material You volume slider, new casting options, and a "Hello?" button for the Call Screen feature. The Pixel Tablet received the Gboard Voice Toolbar. - June Feature Drop: Marked by the early launch of the Pixel 8a, it introduced Audio Emoji, Display Port Support for external screens, Gemini Nano technology, and camera improvements for various Pixel models. The Android 14 QPR3 update focused on minor tweaks. - Pixel 9 Series Launch: Debuted alongside Android 14, backporting features from the Android 15 Beta. Introduced three new applications: Pixel Screenshots, Pixel Studio, and Pixel Weather, along with Gemini Live and on-device Call Notes. - Android 15/October Drop: Introduced Android 15 with a Private Space option, Predictive Back functionality, a redesigned screenshot interface, underwater photography capabilities for the Pixel 9 series, and an enhanced Adaptive Vibration feature. - December Drop: Included Android 15 QPR1 with a Material You redesign for Settings, charging optimization, enhancements to the Pixel Screenshots app, a clear voice feature for the Pixel Recorder, broader rollout of contextual replies for Gemini, and Dual Screen Portrait Mode for foldable devices. Google extended Android OS updates for the Pixel 6 and 7 series.

AppWizard

October 16, 2024

Google may be getting ready to bring a Pixel 9 exclusive app to the Pixel 8 series

Google is preparing to extend the Pixel Studio app, currently exclusive to the Pixel 9 series, to the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro models. Investigations revealed a new APK stub for Pixel Studio associated with the Pixel 8 Pro, which is also pre-installed on the Pixel 8 following the Android 15 update. The APK stub acts as a placeholder, requiring activation from Google for users to download the app from the Play Store. Additionally, the removal of the com.google.android.feature.PIXEL2024EXPERIENCE feature flag from the Pixel Studio app suggests that Google is ready to make it available for older devices. There are no signs that the Pixel 7 series will receive the Pixel Studio app, as the APK stub has not been found on the Pixel 7.