Key Takeaways
- Android 17 is finally here. If you have a compatible Pixel device, you can install it today.
- The new update comes with a feature that lets you turn any app into a “Bubble,” which can open into a floating window.
- You can also record yourself and your screen at the same time, to make reaction videos on the fly.
- Android 17 comes with a handful of new security and safety features that boost your privacy and protect your data.
The tech world might be caught up in talks about iOS 27 and Siri AI, but Google isn’t taking a backseat. Less than a month after I/O 2026, the company is back with its latest major update, Android 17. If you have a compatible Pixel, you can try the new OS out for yourself right now. When you do, you’ll encounter the following new features.
Android 17 Introduces “Bubbles” Windows for All Apps
Perhaps Android 17’s most prominent new feature is “Bubbles.” Bubbles let you choose an app to display as a floating window, rather than a static window. That makes it easy to check in on the app in question while keeping other windows open—but if you have a larger Pixel device, you can also dismiss Bubbles to its own dock.
Android is no stranger to bubble windows. The feature was previously limited to chat apps, making it easy to launch different conversations from the app’s “bubble.” That same philosophy applies here, but for the rest of your apps. You can have multiple bubbles on the side of your Pixel at once. When you want to check in on one, simply tap the icon to open the floating window, which will launch above whatever app you’re currently using.
To turn an app into a Bubble, long-press the app’s icon on your home screen, then press the button that appears in the top-left. Once the icon “bubbles,” you can move it anywhere you want. To dismiss it, drag the icon to the bottom of the screen.
Android 17 Lets You Record Yourself and Your Screen at the Same Time
There’s little doubt that reaction videos are all the rage across social media. That’s the inspiration behind “Screen Reactions.” In Android 17, you can now film yourself as you record your screen, producing a reaction video in real time. Google says there’s no need for a green screen or switching between apps: you simply record your screen and your reactions, all at once.
This could be useful for live, off-the-cuff situations, or for videos that require very little editing. Many reaction videos include multiple cuts and rely on deliberate timing to drive home their points, so some users will still prefer to separate the recording processes for maximum control over the edit. That said, the new feature may improve workflows for creators—especially those making videos to share exclusively with friends and family.
Android 17 Introduces New Security and Safety Features
Google’s new update also comes with safety and security upgrades. With Android 17, you can grant an app temporary permission to access your precise location. The app can then only see your exact coordinates when you have it open. On a similar note, you can share specific contacts with apps when asked, rather than your entire Contacts app. Previously, if an app wanted Contacts permission, it was all or nothing.
After updating, you’ll notice a new “Mark as lost” option in Find Hub. This feature lets you lock your phone when it goes missing. Even if someone has your phone and knows your PIN, Mark as lost ensures it can only be unlocked with biometrics, meaning a face or fingerprint scan. Even without Mark as lost enabled, Android 17 reduces the number of chances someone has to punch in your PIN and increases wait times between failed guesses. Google says that Android 17 also improves Live Threat Detection and should block more malicious apps and scams than before.
Android 17 Lets You Remove App Icon Names on the Home Screen
If you prefer a clean look for your home screen, Android 17 offers an interesting new toggle: you can remove names from your apps on your home screen, putting the focus on the icons themselves. You can toggle the option on or off from Wallpaper & style > Icons > Names.
Android 17 Adds a Dedicated Volume Slider for Your Assistant
Your assistant’s volume no longer needs to be tied to your system’s. Just like iOS 27, Android 17 lets you decouple these volume controls, so your assistant can be louder than your ringer, or vice versa. You’ll find the new option under Sound & vibration in Settings.
Android 17 is available now for compatible Pixel devices, bringing a meaningful set of new features across productivity, creativity, and security that make the update worth installing.
