Google’s March 2026 Pixel Drop is likely one of the higher ones in a while, and it features a flashlight trick iPhone customers have had for years.
QPR2 was launched on March 3, including safety patches and 5 different quality-of-life options that Pixel customers have been ready for. There’s adjustable flashlight brightness, a approach to take away the At a Look widget, a extra clear Adaptive Connectivity system, a brand new location indicator to your apps, and a few AI-generated icon packs (for those who’re into that kind of factor). This is what every one does and the place to seek out it by yourself Pixel.
Associated
Google simply dropped a significant Android replace — listed below are the very best new options to know
Plus some cool stuff coming in March’s Pixel Drop
Modify your flashlight brightness
It would not at all times should be blazingly vivid
Earlier than this replace, adjusting your flashlight brightness was a matter of sideloading an APK or counting on workarounds. QPR4 lastly makes it native. I do know on my iPhone, it has been a windfall each time I want some gentle however do not wish to blow my accomplice’s eyes out in our darkened morning bed room.
The right way to use it: Pull down your Fast Settings panel and switch in your flashlight (or torch, for you Brits). What you do subsequent will rely on the dimensions of the tile in your telephone. If it is a 1×1 tile, long-press the flashlight icon to open the Flashlight Power slider. If it is a 2×1 tile, faucet the precise aspect of the tile to open the slider. Then drag the slider as much as enhance your flashlight’s brightness, and drag all the way down to lower it. Slide all the way in which to the underside to show off your flashlight. Faucet wherever outdoors the slider to dismiss it and hold the flashlight on the degree you left it at.
Take away At a Look from your house display
Reclaim your display house
One characteristic that divides Pixel customers is the At a Look widget. Some people like it up on the prime of their display, others hate it there. The brand new QPR3 replace provides you a approach to get it off your house display with out disabling the widget solely. In case you hold it energetic, it’s going to nonetheless show in your lock display and always-on show. It simply will not be taking over priceless dwelling display actual property.
The right way to use it: Lengthy-press an empty spot on your house display and select Dwelling settings, then faucet the gear icon subsequent to At a Look. Merely toggle Present on dwelling display off.
That is totally different from the primary “Use At a Look” toggle in settings. The widget retains operating in your lock display and show for those who select this feature.
Get higher management over Adaptive Connectivity
Two toggles for the worth of 1
This has existed on earlier Pixel telephones as a single toggle that claims it improves battery life by managing community switching. This outdated single toggle may trigger issues like dropping you from Wi-Fi or switching off your 5G at odd moments. QPR3 breaks the toggle into two separate settings so you may lastly perceive and resolve on what you are really toggling on or off.
The right way to use it: Go to Settings > Community & Web> Adaptive Connectivity. Now you may see two separate toggles as an alternative of 1. They need to each be set to ON by default. You may toggle every independently now, which is beneficial if you would like automated Wi-Fi to information handoffs however not the reverse, or vice versa.
SoC
Google Tensor G4
Show
6.3-inch Actua pOLED show, 1080 x 2424 decision, 60-120Hz, 3000 nits peak brightness
RAM
8GB
Storage
128GB, 256GB
Battery
5,100 mAh
Ports
USB-C
The Google Pixel 10a is a budget-oriented smartphone with a flat again and lengthy battery life. It is powered by the identical Tensor G4 chip as its predecessor, and plenty of key specs are similar to the Pixel 9a. Nevertheless, you do get a brighter display, higher modem, new software program options, and Android 16 with seven years of software program help.
See when apps are accessing your location
Do not let anybody be sneaky once more
You have possible seen the digital camera and microphone entry dots within the standing bar, as they have been round since Android 12. Location has been the one holdout, and never all apps that use your location really want it. The most recent replace brings Location providers updated with the opposite two by including an indicator when the app you are utilizing can be utilizing your location information.
The right way to use it: This mainly occurs by itself, but when an app is utilizing your Location information, a small blue dot will seem within the prime proper nook of your tackle bar. In case you open Fast Settings, the dot expands to a blue capsule with the placement icon inside it. Faucet the capsule to see which app is utilizing your location, and faucet the arrow subsequent to that app title for fast shortcuts to shut the app or handle its location permissions.
Generate an icon pack
In case you’re into it, I suppose
In one more “add AI even the place most folk don’t need it” transfer, Google has added on-device AI icon era to the Pixel Launcher. There are 5 kinds to date: black and white Scribbles, rainbow-themed Cookies, green-tinted Easel, gold-colored Treasure, and space-style Stardust.
The right way to use it: Lengthy-press any empty spot on your house display, then select Wallpaper & model, swipe as much as Icons, after which faucet Create. You may then be capable of decide a mode or colour choice (if obtainable) and faucet Obtain. Technology will happen within the background; you need not stick round whereas it crunches numbers. As soon as performed, faucet Obtain to use. Your pack then lives beneath your icons preview display (together with Default and Minimal) and can even seem on new apps you put in later.
AI icons solely apply to dwelling display icons, not the app drawer. Additionally, whereas Google calls this AI-powered, it nonetheless simply feels such as you’re downloading an icon pack and making use of it. Not an excessive amount of customization from there.
March Drop Insanity
In case you’re unsure you’ve gotten the newest QPR3 replace to your Pixel, head into Settings > System > Software program updates and verify manually. Most options are stay proper after you replace, although ones with server-side parts like At a Look classes, may take just a little longer to look.
