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Google finally released stableAndroid 14alongside theGoogle Pixel 8 and 8 Prothis week, but this is not the only new software coming our way. The company has also updated its QPR1 beta program with a second beta, QPR1 Beta 2. The software is slated to go live as the December Feature Drop later this year, but in the meantime, you can already try it out on your Pixel if you’re daring enough. Here’s everything new we found in the QPR beta program.
Android 14 QPR1 Beta 2
Google released the second QPR1 beta soon after the first one, hitting Pixel phones signed up to the beta program on August 01, 2025. The release isn’t as packed with new findings as the first beta, but there are a few new things to explore. Let’s dive into it.
Android 14 QPR1 adds a central software updates page to settings
These days, there are a lot of different parts of the Android experience that need updating. Apart from regular system updates, you also have Google Play system updates and app updates to monitor. To make it easier for you to stay up to date manually or to check whether you have the latest software or not, Google has revamped theSystem updatespage for Pixel phones.
It’s now calledSoftware updatesand lets you look for system updates, Google Play System updates, and also offers a deep link to the Play Store’s updates section. The change was spotted by Mishaal Rahman when it was still under development in Beta 1.
Android 14 QPR1 Beta 2 brings weather to the Clock app
Google has been working on it for a while, butas spotted by Mishaal Rahman, weather information within the Clock app is going live for many on QPR1 Beta 2, coming to the Pixel 5a and newer.
The weather details are available in the Clock section of the app and within a few clock widgets for your home screen. It becomes more useful when you use the world clock feature, allowing you to quickly see the weather conditions at different locations and time zones you’ve added.
Android 14 QPR1 further tweaks the Pixel Fold’s settings
Mishaal Rahman reports that Google is adding some more tweaks to the new aspect ratio settings for the Pixel Fold that were introduced as part of QPR1 Beta 1. The option still allows you to force apps to use the full width of your Fold’s internal screen, but it’s now marked as an experimental feature with a note that a few “apps may not be optimized for certain aspect ratios.”
The new beta also hides previously introduced settings from Beta 1 that allowed you to configure “continue using apps on fold” options. These settings are still in the code, but they’re hidden.
Android 14 QPR1 adds more Personal Safety information
Google is stepping up its safety game with its Safety Check updates, and as such, the company is also adding more data points to its Personal Safety app.Spotted by Mishaal Rahman, can now add your height, weight, and pregnancy status to your medical information. Along with this, Google also introduces support for syncing medical information across paired devices with the same Google account. The details are end-to-end encrypted, so Google can’t view them. This is likely done for improved interoperability with the Pixel Watch 2, which offers additional safety features.
Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1
Google’s first QPR1 beta arrived before the initial release of Android 14 hit phones, surprisingly updating those phones running the Android 14 Beta straight to QPR1 Beta 1. It was released on August 24, 2025. The first beta was already packed with some neat additions, which we’ve listed here for you.
Android 14 QPR1 tests lock screen widgets
Android 14 introduces native lock screen customization, letting you change your Pixel’s lock screen appearance using different clock widgets, new shortcuts, and more. Building on this, Google couldbring back lock screen widgets with Android 14’s first Feature Droplater this year.
Android expert Mishaal Rahman found a new SystemUI flag in the first Android 14 QPR beta referring to lock screen widgets. There’s not much to this feature for now, but we could see it taking shape in the future beta builds of the OS. And if it is not ready by December, Google can delay the feature for another Feature Drop or Android release.
Back in the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich days, it was possible to place widgets on your phone’s lock screen. However, the feature was not implemented properly and was eventually removed. The second time is the charm, maybe?
Android 14 QPR1 lets you use your phone as a USB webcam
With QPR1, Google has added a new option for USB connections: USB webcam. The change was spotted by Mishaal Rahmanwriting for Esper.io. When you plug your phone into your computer and open the USB Preferences panel, a new “Webcam” option allows you to quickly turn your handset into a much higher-quality webcam than what your laptop probably comes with.
By default, the webcam uses the 1x zoom level of your rear camera, but a notification lets you configure the view right on your phone. You can switch to a 2x zoom or use the front camera instead, along with previewing what you will see on your computer via your phone.
Android 14 QPR1 allows you to change the aspect ratio of letterboxed apps
If you use thePixel FoldorPixel Tablet, you must have encountered several apps running in a letterboxed state. This is because these apps are not optimized for devices with bigger displays. Instagram is the perfect example of this, as it runs in a letterboxed state on the Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet. Despite its popularity, Meta has not updated the app with a tablet layout to utilize the additional real screen estate better.
Google cannot do much about developers not updating their apps for foldables and foldables. But it is doing the next best thing possible. In Android 14 QPR Beta 1, the company has added a way tooverride the default aspect ratio of apps. This way, you can get incompatible apps to fill the entire screen of your foldable or tablet, even if they are not designed for it.
Android 14 QPR1 lets you see your battery cycle count
There’s no straightforward way to check the battery health of your Android phone. While Android 14 QPR Beta 1 does not change that, it lets you view the battery cycle count. Head over toSettings > About Phone > Battery Informationto see the battery’s manufacture date and current cycle count.
Some Pixel phones might not display this information, though, and it is unclear why. Perhaps Google will fix this issue in a future beta build.
Android 14 QPR1 offers a new lock screen clock style
Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1 introduces a new “Metro” clock style. you’re able to access this from the lock screen customization menu on your Pixel. Additionally, you can set a different live wallpaper on the lock and home screens for greater customization.
Android 14 QPR1 is working on a Repair Mode
Taking a cue from Samsung’s Maintenance mode, Google isworking on a dedicated Repair Mode for Pixel phones. Enable this option before handing over your Pixel for repair to ensure your data stored on the device is safe from prying eyes.
App Pair takes another step toward its release on Android 14 QPR1
Google has been spotted working on app pair since Android 12, thoughdevelopment appears to have picked up with Android 14. The feature should enable you to launch two apps in split-screen mode simultaneously. As Mishaal Rahman demonstrates, you may save and launch an app pair in Android 14 QPR1. It is still a work in progress, but it is looking increasingly likely that app pair could launch with the first Android 14 Feature Drop.
Android 14 QPR1 preps a revamped System updates page
Right now, you have to go through multiple pages in the Settings menu to know whether your Pixel is running the latest Android release, system apps, Play system build, and security patch. Google appears to be working on a revamp of the system update menu specifically for Pixel devices to show all this information in one place (viaMishaal Rahman).
Android 14 QPR1 lets you continue using apps on the outer screen on Pixel Fold
On the Pixel Fold, if you close the inner folding display, the device locks itself, and all open apps are closed. This can be annoying, especially when you fold shut the phone in a hurry. Thankfully, Android 14 QPR1 changes this behavior byintroducing a Continue apps on cover screen option. From here, you can select set outer display to remain on when the Pixel Fold is…folded.
You might believe this is a small change, but it is a handy option and can greatly enhance the experience of using your Pixel Fold.
Try out all the changes in Android 14 QPR1 Beta program today!
If you are a part of theAndroid 14 beta program, you can install the QPR1 beta on your Pixel to check out all the changes yourself. Do remember that not all the features mentioned above will make their way to the final Android 14 QPR release. Google could push back some features due to development issues.
Compared to the initial Android 14 beta builds, the QPR firmware should be stable for daily use. However, you will run into some bugs and issues, especially when trying new features. But then, that’s the fun of running the bleeding edge software on your phone: you get to try new features before their public release while encountering occasional bugs.
