Android 17 QPR2 Beta 3 arrived on August 14 as the latest preview of the December release. 9to5Google described the Friday launch as unexpected and began a running catalog of changes that was still marked as updating.
As new changes are discovered, the latest entries will be placed at the top of the page. Readers are also asked to check back and share their findings in the comments.
The release is available for Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel Tablet, Pixel Fold, Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8a, Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Pixel 9a, Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, Pixel 10 Pro Fold, and Pixel 10a. The source also links to a separate installation guide.
App lock and other Pixel interface changes
The gallery compares Android 17 QPR2 Beta 2 on the left with Beta 3 on the right. Its feature list includes App lock, a blur effect on the Pixel lockscreen, expanded Dynamic Color theming, and controls for customizing the Pixel Quick Settings layout. The Quick Settings option is identified as coming from Android Canary.
Call-forwarding protections target fraud
Beta 3 adds security restrictions for programmatic call forwarding. Android now parses and selectively limits call-forwarding USSD codes, including 21, when they are run through the TelephonyManager.sendUssdRequest() API.
- The
sendUssdRequest()API can no longer execute call-forwarding codes with only theCALL_PHONEpermission. Standard apps trying this in the background are blocked and receive aUSSD_ERROR_NOT_ALLOWEDcallback. - People who manually enter call-forwarding codes in the system dialer now see an operating-system confirmation dialog before execution. The change is intended to counter social-engineering scams.
- Other enabling USSD requests, including mobile-money transfers and account checks, are unaffected.
- Affected apps should handle
USSD_ERROR_NOT_ALLOWEDgracefully. Apps that need call-forwarding setup but lack an exempted role should useACTION_DIALto prefill the dialer, leaving final confirmation to the user.
Beta 3 also addresses two reported problems
The update fixes visual corruption and an unexpected restart that could occur after opening the notification shade and Quick Settings menu. The report associates those problems with Issue #535249652 and Issue #543124160.
It also corrects false battery-capacity degradation warnings shown by the Device Health and Support tool. The relevant entries are Issue #535421490, Issue #538943170, and Issue #535504630.
Google Pixel Watch 5 (45mm)
Google Pixel Watch 4
Robert Haba is the founder and editor-in-chief of Droid Tools. A lifelong gadget enthusiast with over a decade following the Android ecosystem, he built this publication to cut through the noise and give readers honest, real-world coverage of the tech they actually use.
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