Google is rolling out the stable Android 17 QPR2 update to Pixel phones and the Pixel Tablet, starting November 10, 2026. It's the biggest Pixel software release of the fall. Supported devices go all the way back to the Pixel 6a, and they get a custom system color picker, a new status bar settings page, Auracast voice broadcasting and the November security patch.
The update shipped alongside the November Pixel Drop, roughly a month before Google's quarterly schedule would normally put it. Google's Mishaal Rahman posted the full platform release notes on Reddit, and the matching security fixes are listed in the November 2026 Pixel Update Bulletin.
What's new in Android 17 QPR2
The most visible change is in theming. Before this update, Pixel owners could only choose from preset accent colors. Now there's a palette icon under Wallpaper & style > Color that opens a full hue slider, and you can also pick one of four intensity styles. Here are the main additions:
- Custom colors and adaptive wallpapers: pick any accent hue, then choose Neutral, Soft, Bright or Bold. Compatible wallpaper collections now switch between light and dark versions to match the system theme.
- Status bar page: a new menu under Settings > System lets you show all notification icons, only priority ones, or none. You can also turn the battery percentage, mute and vibrate indicators on or off individually.
- Brightness override: the Quick Settings slider now works even when an app forces maximum brightness.
- Voice broadcast and Audio streams: two new Quick Settings tiles. Voice broadcast, still labeled a preview, streams your phone's microphone or a wired headset over Auracast to compatible headphones, hearing devices or other Android phones. Broadcasts can be password-protected.
- Foldable multitasking: a handle at the top of app windows lets you drag apps between full screen, split screen and floating bubbles.
- Safer sideloading: a new install dialog offers “Only this time,” “Always allow” or “Don't allow” when an app other than the app store tries to install software.
- Privacy tools: a Private Compute Core log shows what data on-device AI features use, alongside a new Agents dashboard in privacy settings.
- Anti-scam protections: during calls from unknown numbers, Android blocks some risky actions, such as turning on Developer options, and asks you to confirm before running call-forwarding codes.
- Linux Terminal: Android's file manager can now browse, edit and move files inside the Linux virtual machine.
There are smaller changes too. Notification summaries, the notification organizer and notification cooldown now live together in one Notification intelligence section. You can set a preferred home time zone, adjust keyboard vibration strength with a new slider, and control connected Bluetooth hearing aids from the lock screen. On the Pixel 11 Pro, 11 Pro XL and 11 Pro Fold, the rear HiLight light can now glow when favorite contacts send you messages, not just for calls.
Not everything Google tested in beta made it. The option to rearrange the brightness slider and media player in Quick Settings isn't part of this release.
Security patch and bug fixes
The update brings Pixels to the 2026-11-05 security patch level. Google's Android Security Bulletin says the most severe issue fixed this month is a critical Framework flaw. It could allow remote code execution with no user interaction. The Pixel bulletin adds a long list of Pixel-specific fixes covering the kernel, modem, Trusty and other components.
The changelog also includes more than 30 functional fixes. They address the on-screen keyboard sometimes not appearing in search fields, media volume jumping when you trigger voice commands, a charging indicator showing up with no charger connected, and stutter while scrolling. Pixel 11 owners also get fixes for photos that sometimes failed to save and for background battery drain linked to the sensor service.
Which Pixels get it and how to install
Android 17 QPR2 is available for the Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, 7 Pro and 7a, Pixel Tablet, Pixel Fold, Pixel 8, 8 Pro and 8a, Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, 9 Pro Fold and 9a, Pixel 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL, 10 Pro Fold and 10a, and Pixel 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro XL and 11 Pro Fold. Most models get build CP4A.261105.040.A1. The global Pixel 11 series gets CP4A.261105.040.D1, and Canadian Pixel 11 models get CP4A.261105.040.B2.
To check for it, go to Settings > System > System update and tap “Check for update.” Beta testers on Android 17 QPR2 will get a small update to the final build. To leave the beta for stable, opt out first; installing the stable update after opting out won't wipe your phone. The Android Beta Program stays open for upcoming quarterly releases.
As of November 11, 2026, the rollout is staged and should reach most Pixels over the next week or so. Some of the platform features are in Android itself, so they may reach other brands' phones once those manufacturers adopt the new code.
