recents screen Archives

AppWizard

September 1, 2026

Android 17 QPR2 Beta 4 is shaping up to be Google’s best beta yet

Android 17 QPR2 has reached Platform Stability with the release of Beta 4, locking the application programming interfaces (APIs) and allowing developers to refine their apps. The update focuses on system polish and bug fixes rather than new features. Google has addressed issues affecting Pixel users, including overheating, unexpected reboots, gesture navigation glitches, battery charging limitations, Recents screen problems, Bluetooth audio inconsistencies, and screen-recording complications. Hardware support enhancements include fixes for USB-C XR mirroring, compatibility with 3D smart-glasses displays, and improvements to low-light Face Unlock functionality. The beta journey began on July 20, with Beta 1, followed by Beta 2 on August 3 and Beta 3 shortly after. Beta 4 includes critical bug fixes such as resolving thermal management issues, battery charging behavior, gesture navigation refinements, and fixes for the transparent status bar during full-screen video playback. Other improvements address app drawer search issues, Bluetooth audio routing, Recents screen freezing, and screen-recording audio bugs. Beta 4 reinstates screen mirroring for USB-C XR glasses and resolves issues with 3D mode for smart glasses. Feedback from early testers has been positive, with reports of reduced lag and improved performance. However, some users have noted oversized text and lower display resolution issues, which can be resolved by rebooting. A persistent Bluetooth routing issue for incoming calls has been reported across all QPR2 betas. The update is being rolled out to various Pixel phones and tablets, with a download size of approximately 671MB on the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Existing Pixel owners in the beta program will receive the update over the air, but exiting the program after installation may result in data loss.

AppWizard

July 23, 2026

Active Exploitation Alert: Fake Bahrain Alert App Deploys Advanced Android Surveillance Malware Targeting Gulf Region Users

A cyber-espionage campaign has been identified involving a counterfeit Bahrain Alert Android application designed to surveil individuals in Bahrain and the Gulf region. The app masquerades as an official civil defense tool and employs social engineering tactics to compromise Android devices, extract sensitive data, and maintain remote access. It targets high-value individuals such as activists and journalists, particularly during civil unrest and missile alerts, leveraging trusted government branding to increase infection rates. The malware features a complex, multi-stage architecture with advanced evasion techniques and is distributed through phishing links and malicious websites. It initiates a four-stage infection process, ultimately installing a remote access trojan (RAT) that enables covert surveillance and encrypted communications. The malware can monitor device activity, capture credentials, and intercept communications, while also employing mechanisms to avoid detection and maintain persistence. The campaign primarily targets Bahraini citizens, exploiting fear during crises to encourage app installation. Although there are indications of Russian-speaking developers involved, there is no definitive attribution to a specific nation-state or APT group. Mitigation strategies include monitoring for suspicious app installations, user education on verifying app authenticity, and blocking known malicious domains.

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.

AppWizard

March 27, 2026

6 ways I’m already using Android 17’s app bubbles to multitask better

Google has released Android 17 Beta 3, featuring app bubbles, which enhance multitasking by allowing users to keep applications floating on their screens for quick access. Users can create app bubbles by long-pressing any app icon and selecting the "bubble" option, which opens the app in a small floating window that can be minimized into a bubble. Multiple bubbles can be stacked, and tapping a stack expands it for easy management. Users can remove bubbles by dragging them to an "X" button, and on foldable devices, bubbles can be arranged in a taskbar-style layout. The app bubbles feature allows for various multitasking scenarios, such as responding to messages without switching apps, keeping notes open while shopping, watching videos while taking notes, checking maps during chats, planning trips without app switching, and copying information easily between applications.

AppWizard

March 13, 2026

Your Pixel just lost a handy Recents trick in the March update

Google introduced the stable Android 16 QPR3 update, known as the March 2026 Pixel update, for Pixel devices. A change in the Recent apps screen has caused discontent among users, as the ability to easily save images directly from the Recents screen has been removed. Previously, users could long-press or use the Select tool to save images directly to Photos, but now they only have options to Copy, Share, and Edit. A workaround to save images involves using the share sheet to select “Upload to Photos,” but this is less intuitive and more time-consuming. Additionally, alternatives for Google Lens functionality are available, but they lack the convenience of the previous interface.

AppWizard

December 9, 2025

Android 16 QPR2 removes this handy way to save pictures from apps

Android's Recents screen allows users to share content from various applications, including copying URLs from Chrome and sharing images. With the upcoming Android 16 QPR2 update, Google is repositioning the link-sharing icon in Chrome to a more accessible location at the bottom of the screen. However, the update will also reduce image-related functionalities, limiting users to only sharing or copying images and removing the ability to save files locally.

AppWizard

June 11, 2025

Google experiments with ditching the Favorites tab in the Phone app for a simpler layout

Google is testing a redesign of its Phone app for certain Pixel 8 Pro devices, specifically version 178.0.765584175-publicbeta. The update removes the dedicated Favorites tab, replacing it with a horizontal row of favorite contacts at the top of the Recents screen. This change was first reported by a Telegram user, @h_muc, who shared screenshots of the new interface. The redesign also eliminates the frequent contacts section that was previously located beneath the favorites. A new Add button has been added to allow users to link directly to their contact list for adding more favorites. The rollout is still in the testing phase, and it is uncertain if these changes will be implemented across all devices.

AppWizard

May 20, 2025

Android 16 QPR1’s new recents screen makes split-screen easier to find

In the Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1 release, Google redesigned the recents screen to improve user experience by making the app context menu more accessible. The new interface includes a pill-shaped button displaying the app's name and a downward arrow for additional options. The redesign addresses discoverability issues by allowing users to easily identify apps corresponding to task previews. The context menu offers seven primary actions: “App info,” “Split screen,” “Pin,” “Pause app,” “Screenshot,” “Select,” and “Close,” with the “Save app pair” option appearing only for split-screen tasks. Aesthetic enhancements include pill-shaped containers for the “Screenshot” and “Select” buttons and a blurred background of the user's wallpaper, aligning with Google’s Material 3 Expressive theme.