Google has started rolling out Android 13 QPR3 beta 3 to all eligible Pixel devices, including Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5, Pixel 5a, Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, and Pixel 7 Pro. This update brings a lot of improvements and fixes. The company has made slight changes to the update. If you are still on Android 13, you can upgrade your device or continue with the Android 14 beta. It comes with an April 2023 security update, which will not be available for Android 14 users.
Since this beta is available for all supported Pixel devices, it is recommended for users running Beta 2 (T3B2.230316.003) or 2.1 (T3B2.230316.005). Users will receive the update via OTA (over the air), so they are likely to be notified to install it. You can update your device from the settings by navigating to Device Settings > Settings > System Update > Check for Updates.
This is a minor update, but it is likely to be positive. While others may be disruptive, we will see how this will affect the user experience of Android 13 QPR3. This is the last quarterly update for Android 13 and will likely be released to the public in June. Beta users who signed up can manually skip Android 14 Beta 1 and continue with Android 13 QPR3.
What’s new:
Google has made minor changes to the 3-button navigation. It has a smaller footprint, making it easier to use on more displays and more rounded. The home circle is also more significant, and the ring around it is no longer visible when “Hold Home for Assistant” is enabled.
The device results toggle in the Pixel launcher searcher settings is a new feature added in Android 13 QPR3. It needs to be clarified how this will affect the use-case scenario of this device, but it may allow users to see device-specific results and suggestions when they search. For example, if users search for weather, it will likely show the current weather conditions for the location.
Like Android 14, the Digital Wellbeing App Info’s App Info and Pause positions switch places. Meanwhile, the info switches positions when you long-press the app icon on the home screen. This is likely to make digital wellbeing more accessible to users.
There is a new wallpaper preview, a slight adjustment to the Home Controls, and enhanced PIN privacy to remove animations. A battery percentage is in the upper-right corner when you swipe for Quick Settings/Notifications. A new fullscreen wallpaper, tweaks to Home Controls, enhanced PIN privacy to remove the animation, and a new Device Results toggle for history-based device results and suggestions in the Pixel Launcher search settings.
Android 13 QPR3 fixes:
- Wi-Fi calling issue: Users have reported that they have been facing problems with Wi-Fi calling not working.
- Display behavior issue: As users have reported, sometimes they get stuck on the system on the home screen with no app icon or background.
- UI improvements: The Notification Shade, Quick Settings, and the Lock Screen have been improved.
- Bug Fix: Fix for Bluetooth, Camera, and Performance.
- Screen flashing green: In the previous build, the screen flashed green when toggled in a high-temperature environment.
- The camera displays a black screen when opened by pressing the power button switch.
- The device reboots when switching to the Work Profile.
As for known issues, the list of recent apps becomes unresponsive if the screen orientation changes while the list is open.
Users who have reported or are facing an issue will receive this update to resolve it. However, some issues still need to be resolved, like the Recent App List, which sometimes becomes unresponsive, and the screen orientation changes while the Recent List is active.
If you want to join the beta program, you can go to the Android Beta Program Website and sign in with your Google account. Choose your device from the eligible list and click the Join button. After that, you must follow the on-screen instructions to install the update on your device.
| Device | Factory Image | OTA |
|---|---|---|
| Google Pixel 7 Pro | Download | Download |
| Google Pixel 7 | Download | Download |
| Google Pixel 6a | Download | Verizon | Download | Verizon |
| Google Pixel 6 Pro | Download | Verizon | Download | Verizon |
| Google Pixel 6 | Download | Verizon | Download | Verizon |
| Google Pixel 5a | Download | Download |
| Google Pixel 5 | Download | Download |
| Google Pixel 4a (5G) | Download | Download |
| Google Pixel 4a | Download | Download |
This is in beta, so you might encounter issues that may only suit some users. If you have experienced any problems with the update, you can report this to Google via the feedback forum or roll back to the stable version of Android. All the updates will likely come in the stable update for the Android 13 QPR3 release in the next Feature Drop in June. However, we can’t confirm if these changes will make it stable.