Eight New Features You’ll Get in Android 17

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The tech world is buzzing about iOS 27 and Siri AI , but Google isn’t going to sit on the sidelines. Less than a month after I/O 2026, the company is returning with its latest major update: Android 17. If you own a compatible Pixel, you can try out the new OS right now. You’ll discover the following new features.

Android 17 brings bubble windows to all apps.

Perhaps the most notable new feature in Android 17 is Bubbles. Bubbles lets you choose which app to display as a floating window rather than a static one. This makes it easier to keep track of the app you want while keeping other windows open—but if you have a larger Pixel device, you can also move Bubbles to a separate panel.

Android is no stranger to pop-up windows. Previously, this feature was only available in chat apps, allowing you to easily launch various conversations from within an app’s “pop-up window.” The same principle applies here, but for other apps. You can display multiple pop-up windows simultaneously on the side of your Pixel. To check one, simply tap the icon to open the floating window, which will open on top of the currently active app.

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To turn an app icon into a bubble, long-press the app icon on the home screen, then tap the button that appears in the upper-left corner. Once the icon “bubbles,” you can move it wherever you like. To close it, drag the icon to the bottom of the screen.

Android 17 allows you to record yourself and your screen at the same time.

There’s no doubt that reaction videos are incredibly popular on social media right now. This is what inspired the creation of “Screen Reactions.” Android 17 now lets you film yourself while screen recording, creating real-time reaction videos. Google claims there’s no need for a green screen or switching between apps: you simply record your screen and your reactions simultaneously.

I imagine this could be useful for spontaneous live-streaming situations or for videos that require minimal editing. But many of the reaction videos I see in my feed contain numerous cuts and, no matter how improvised they may seem, rely on thoughtful timing to get their point across. I suspect some users will still prefer to separate recording processes for maximum editing control, although this new feature could also improve workflows for some content creators—especially those who shoot videos to share exclusively with friends and family.

Android 17 brings new security features.

Google’s new update also includes security improvements. In Android 17, you can grant an app temporary permission to access your precise location. After granting permission, the app will only be able to see your precise coordinates while it’s open. Similarly, you can now share access to specific contacts with apps on request, rather than the entire Contacts app. Previously, if an app requested permission to access your contacts, it was all or nothing.

After updating, you’ll notice a new “Mark as Lost” option in Find Hub. This feature allows you to lock your phone when it’s lost. Even if someone has your phone and knows your PIN, “Mark as Lost” ensures that it can only be unlocked using biometrics, such as a face scan or fingerprint. Even without “Mark as Lost” enabled, Android 17 reduces the number of PIN entry attempts and increases the wait time between unsuccessful attempts. Google claims that Android 17 also improves real-time threat detection and should block more malicious apps and scams than before.

In Android 17, you can remove app icon names from the home screen.

If you prefer a more minimalist home screen design, Android 17 introduces an interesting new feature: the update allows you to remove app titles from the home screen, focusing on the icons themselves. You can enable or disable this option in Wallpaper & Style > Icons > Titles .

Android 17 adds a dedicated volume slider for the voice assistant.

Your voice assistant’s volume should no longer be tied to system settings. Like iOS 27 , Android 17 allows you to separate these volume controls, so your assistant can be louder than your ringtone, or vice versa. You’ll find this new option in the “Sound & Vibration” section of Settings.

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In Android 17, you can control which apps use the Advanced dark theme.

Not all apps support dark mode, which is frustrating for those who prefer to avoid bright backgrounds on their devices. In this case, the “extended” dark mode can be a solution, as it adds a dark theme to apps that don’t natively support it. However, since it’s not a built-in dark mode, not all apps look good with this mode enabled . In Android 17, you can control which apps actually use the “extended” dark mode, giving you greater control over the appearance of each app.

Android 17 prevents apps from using too much RAM.

One of the hidden features of the latest Android update is aimed at preventing apps from excessively using system memory. New limits on app memory usage should reduce device slowdowns caused by excessive memory consumption. It’s possible that some apps may suffer if they’re designed to use more memory than Android allows, but hopefully developers will reconfigure their apps to accommodate the new architecture.

Android 17 includes a gaming mode for foldable devices.

If you have a foldable device, Android 17 will help transform it into a more functional portable gaming device. “Game mode for foldable devices” places gameplay on the top screen, while the bottom display emulates a controller. Google says this feature is included in Android 17 but will become available “in the coming months,” so you may not see it on your Pixel Fold right now.

Which phones can I install Android 17 on?

Android 17 is currently only available on Pixel phones, which include the following models :

  • Pixel 6

  • Pixel 6 Pro

  • 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

  • Pixel 10a

Google says Android 17 will be coming to more devices later this year, but as always, you’ll need to check with your device manufacturer for more information. Each company distributes its own version of the update: Samsung has One UI, OnePlus has OxygenOS, and so on. Newer devices are more likely to receive Android 17 than others, but you’ll need to wait for your device manufacturer to release the update.

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