Google has just pushed out Android 16 Beta 2.1, addressing several annoying bugs that have been plaguing beta testers since the previous release. While not packed with exciting new features, this February 2025 update focuses on making the Android 16 beta experience much more stable and usable for early adopters.
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What’s Fixed in Android 16 Beta 2.1
The latest build (BP22.250124.010) tackles some frustrating issues that many of us in the beta program have been experiencing. Here’s what Google has managed to fix this time around:
First up is the Doze mode issue (Issue #396603519) that was wreaking havoc on battery life. Many testers (one of our colleagues included) noticed their devices weren’t properly entering deep sleep, resulting in batteries draining much faster than they should. This fix should help your Pixel last longer between charges.
Those choppy animations when setting up live wallpapers (Issue #397659072) have finally been smoothed out. The jittery experience was particularly noticeable when scrolling through options or applying effects – now it should be much more fluid.
Perhaps most importantly, Google has fixed those random reboots (Issue #396541565) that would catch you off guard at the worst possible moments. Nothing’s more frustrating than having your device suddenly restart while you’re in the middle of something important, so this is a welcome improvement.
There are also various unspecified fixes for system stability, connectivity, and performance issues. While Google hasn’t detailed exactly what these entail, beta testers should notice a generally more reliable experience across the board.
How to Get the Update
If you’re already enrolled in the Android Beta for Pixel program, you should receive the update automatically over the air. If you’re impatient (like me), you can manually check by heading to Settings > System > System update.
For those who haven’t yet jumped into the Android 16 beta waters but are curious to try, you can sign up at https://www.google.com/android/beta. Just remember that even with these fixes, beta software isn’t always smooth sailing – best not to install it on a device you absolutely need to work flawlessly.
What This Means for Android 16
This quick maintenance release shows that Google is taking tester feedback seriously and prioritizing stability. That’s a good sign for anyone worried about Android 16’s overall quality when it eventually lands on devices later this year.
Based on previous release patterns, we should see Beta 3 in the coming months, which will likely introduce more substantial changes. For now, Google seems focused on getting the foundation right before piling on additional features – a smart approach that should result in a more stable final product.
If you’ve installed Beta 2.1, I’d love to hear your experiences. Has battery life improved? Are those random reboots truly gone? The real test of any update is how it performs in the wild, not just what the release notes promise.