Google rolls out Android 17 QPR1 Beta 1 for Pixel smartphones

Google has released the Android 17 QPR1 Beta 1 update for Pixel devices, bringing a wave of audio fixes, performance improvements, and system stability enhancements. The update, which went live on April 22, 2026, also integrates the April 2026 security patch, making it a significant milestone ahead of the September Feature Drop.The new beta addresses several long-standing issues. Among the most notable are audio-related fixes: distortion and phase cancellation in VoIP apps caused by hardware audio processing have been resolved, direct audio output failures during extended playback have been corrected, and glitches after prolonged streaming sessions have been eliminated. Performance has also been optimized, with smoother multitasking and fewer crashes across core Android services.“Building on the initial release of Android 17, we continue to update the platform with fixes and improvements that are then rolled out to supported devices. These releases happen on a quarterly cadence through Quarterly Platform Releases (QPRs), which are delivered both to AOSP and to Google Pixel devices as part of Feature Drops,” said Google.* Fixed a crash in the Default Print Service occurring during low ink conditions that prevents users from completing print jobs. (Issue #487545419)* The Terminal app triggers an Application Not Responding (ANR) error that results in the application and device becoming unresponsive. (Issue #497465940)* Resolved an issue where uncontrollable hardware audio processing on the voice communication path caused distortion and phase cancellation in VoIP applications. (Issue #494843726)* Direct audio output may fail to open on devices using the AIDL audio HAL when playing audio streams longer than five seconds. (Issue #372064012)The update is available via OTA for Pixel devices enrolled in the Android Beta Program, covering models from the Pixel 6 series up to the latest Pixel 10 lineup, including foldables and tablets. Google has reminded users that opting out of the beta before installation avoids data loss, but opting out after installation will trigger a device wipe during downgrade.With this release, Google is focusing less on flashy new features and more on refining the fundamentals—audio quality, stability, and performance—to ensure Android 17 evolves into a smoother, more dependable platform.