It’s been exactly two weeks since Google pushed out Beta 6, and today, they are keeping the momentum going with the release of Android 17 QPR1 Beta 7 (Build ID: CP31.260623.005). Bundled with the latest July 2026 security patch and Play Services version 26.20.31, this update brings some much-needed polish.
But as someone who closely tracks Google’s software rollout cycles, the most interesting part of this update isn’t the bug fixes. It’s the devices getting it.
The Pixel 6 and 6 Pro are back
If you’re a regular here, you’ll remember the rollercoaster ride Pixel 6 and 6 Pro users have had with Android 17. The two devices seamlessly picked up the first three QPR1 betas. Then, in early June, we reported that Google had inexplicably dropped them from Beta 4. They remained sidelined for Beta 5 and Beta 6, leading many of us to assume their beta testing days were officially behind them.
Well, Google just pulled a fast one on us. The Pixel 6 and 6 Pro are officially back on the active roster for Beta 7.
Why does this matter? We expect the stable Android 17 QPR1 release to roll out in September 2026. Given that the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro will reach the end of their guaranteed security and OS update support a month later in October 2026, this September QPR1 build is shaping up to be their final major Feature Drop hurrah. Bringing them back into the beta pool now suggests Google is committed to ensuring these older flagships cross the finish line with a stable, fully optimized build, rather than abandoning them at the eleventh hour.
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Android 17 QPR1 Beta 7 squashes Quick Settings bugs
Beyond the return of the 6 series, Beta 7 acts as a vital housekeeping update. Google focused heavily on cleaning up the Quick Settings (QS) panel this time around.
If you’ve been frustrated by the Battery Share feature failing to trigger or getting stuck in a maddening loop of charging animations when activated from the QS tile, this update finally fixes it. The developers also patched a rather annoying visual glitch where toggling off Wi-Fi left an awkward, empty gap between the battery and mobile data icons in the status bar. Finally, if your phone was crashing when you tried to adjust the font size directly from the quick access panel, Beta 7 patches the font size controller bug responsible for the mess.
Of course, this update isn’t just for the Pixel 6 duo. Beta 7 is rolling out across the board for all currently eligible Google devices, starting from the Pixel 6a all the way up to the newest Pixel generations, including the Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet.
If you are already enrolled in the Android Beta Program, you should see the OTA notification hit your device over the next few hours. Impatient? We’ve got you covered. You can grab the system images directly from the Android Developer portal if you prefer to get your hands dirty and flash it manually:
Are you rocking a Pixel 6 or 6 Pro? Let us know in the comments if you’ve received the Beta 7 prompt and how it’s running on your device!
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