5 features coming with Android 17 update for Pixel users
Last Updated: 2026-06-24 12:46:18
Google’s Android 17 OS update is now live for Pixel devices, before it makes its way to more Android phones throughout the year. After months of testing with beta and developer updates for more than three months, the company has finally pushed the stable version, with a focus on improving productivity, entertainment, security, and safety.
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Android 17 adds multitasking app bubbles for floating windows- Screen Reaction records screen and selfie camera simultaneously
- Expanded dark theme now works with unsupported apps
As for compatibility, Android 17 is available for all Pixel phones starting from the Pixel 6 series, with the company rolling it out in phases.
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Now that Android 17 is officially out, you might want to know the top features available on the Pixel devices.
Sadly, the agentic capabilities, such as intelligent auto-fill and other features we saw at last month’s Google I/O conference, won't be available until later this year. Nonetheless, there are still many things to look forward to. Here are the five best features of the latest Android 17 operating system.
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5 best features of Android 17
Multitasking app bubbles
One of the headline additions of Android 17 is a new multitasking feature called App Bubbles. Similar to how Facebook Messenger uses chat heads, with Android 17, users can now keep multiple apps open inside floating windows, which will be visible as movable bubbles. These bubbles sit inside a dedicated bubble bar and float on top of other apps to allow users to open a specific app.
Screen reaction
Google has also introduced a new Screen Reaction feature that lets users record their screen and selfie camera simultaneously. There will be a new ‘Show selfie camera’ option in the Screen recording tool that will appear alongside other controls for the built-in video option.
This method eliminates the need for using an external app process that was often needed to get screen recording with face videos. Instead, you can do it all locally from a system app and have it ready to upload or share instantly.
New dark theme controls
Dark mode is nothing new for Android, and we have seen it with past Android versions. However, with Android 17, a new ‘Expanded dark theme’ feature has been introduced that adds dark theme to apps that don't natively support it.
Thus, through Android 17, you can control which apps actually use that Expanded dark theme, giving you greater control over how each app looks, allowing you to remove the dark theme from a specific app.
Foldable gaming mode
For foldable smartphones, Android 17 now allows them to be more of a capable handheld gaming device. A ‘Foldable gaming mode’ has been introduced with the latest OS, which places the gameplay on the top screen and emulates a controller on the bottom display. This allows users to effectively use the on-screen gamepad without any obstacles, and the feature will be available later this year.
Hide app names
For Android users who prefer a clean look for their device, an interesting toggle has been unveiled with Android 17. You can now remove names from the installed apps on your home screen, putting the focus entirely on the icons themselves. The feature can be turned off/on via the Wallpaper & Style section, where the ‘Show app names’ toggle can be used to hide labels on your home screen.