Android 17 beta 2 rolled out with enhanced multitasking, cross-device continuity

After releasing the Android 17 beta 1 earlier this month, Google has begun rolling out the Android 17 beta 2 to eligible Pixel devices, bringing a mix of multitasking enhancements, privacy upgrades and system refinements. While the update may appear incremental at first glance, it introduces meaningful changes that reshape how users interact across devices and apps.

Floating bubbles and seamless handoff take centre stage

One of the biggest additions in Android 17 beta 2 is a new Bubbles windowing mode. Users can now long-press any app icon in the launcher and turn it into a floating bubble. These bubbles stay above other apps and can be expanded into small, resizable windows.

On large-screen devices such as tablets and foldables, a dedicated bubble bar appears in the taskbar, allowing users to organise and switch between multiple bubbles more efficiently. This brings a more desktop-like multitasking experience to Android.

Google has also introduced a Cross-device Handoff feature. This allows users to begin an activity on one Android device and continue it on another nearby device. For instance, a note started on a phone can be resumed on a tablet without losing progress.

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The system displays a handoff suggestion in the launcher of the second device, supporting both app-to-app transitions and app-to-web fallback if the app is not installed.

Stronger privacy controls and system refinements

Android 17 beta 2 further strengthens privacy. A new system-level contacts picker grants apps temporary access only to selected contact fields, reducing the need for broad permissions. SMS OTP protection has also been expanded, delaying access to one-time passwords for most third-party apps to prevent misuse.

There is also a new EyeDropper API that allows developers to fetch a colour from the screen without requiring full screen capture permissions. In addition, Google has refined privacy indicators for camera, microphone and location access, and addressed several bugs, including issues that previously caused random reboots.

Android 17 and its features are expected to get an official announcement at the upcoming Google I/O 2026 event in May.

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Keep following Unboxed by Croma for all the updates about Android 17.