The Android 17 Beta Is Here. What It Includes and Which Phones Can Test It
The Android 17 Beta Is Here. What It Includes and Which Phones Can Test It
https://www.pcmag.com/explainers/android-17-beta-what-it-includes-which-phones-can-test-google-io
Publish Date: 2026-05-20 15:42:00
Source Domain: www.pcmag.com
Google offered a deeper dive into Android 17 during its Android Show on May 12, but it saved a few details for its I/O developer show this week.
A stable version of the mobile OS is expected this summer, but you don’t have to wait to test-drive the newest features. If you have an eligible phone, you can try them out now by installing the Android 17 beta. It’s not as stable as the final release (you might want to install it on an extra Android device), but it gives enthusiasts an early look at what’s next for Android.
Here’s what features you can test in the beta, which phones can try it out, and how to get it.
Everything announced at Google I/O 2026 in 13 minutes
What’s Included in the Android 17 Beta?
Google dropped Android 17 QPR1 Beta 3 yesterday. Perhaps the biggest new feature on tap is Google’s own version of Apple’s Handoff. Called Continue On for Android devices, this will allow you to essentially “hand off” tasks from your phone to another device. To start, it will work with Chrome and Docs and will only support mobile-to-tablet device transitions, but functionality should expand at a later date.
(Credit: Google)
Of course, you can also expect a lot of new AI-related features. At some point this summer, Gemini Intelligence will help Galaxy S26 or Google Pixel 10 owners automate certain tasks, such as automatically ordering a rideshare (support for more handsets coming later). It will also add Gemini functionality to Chrome and Android’s Autofill feature.
Other additions include a new built-in recording mode called Screen Reactions, which allows you to capture your screen and the front-facing camera. The new Pause Point digital wellbeing feature is meant to help users rethink doomscrolling. When you open an…
