Android 17 Beta 3 lands with smarter everyday controls: Check all new features, eligible devices

Google is inching closer to the final release of Android 17, and the latest beta feels less like a full overhaul and more like a bunch of refinements and tweaks.

With Android 17 Beta 3 now rolling out to Pixel devices, including the Pixel 6 and newer, the update marks a key milestone by bringing the platform into stability territory ahead of its expected June 2026 debut. Here’s all the new features of Android 17 Beta 3, and the list of eligible devices with first dibs on the latest beta.

Android 17 Beta 3: List of eligible devices

Android 17 Beta 3 will first roll out to Google Pixel phones. If you use a Pixel, here’s the full list of eligible devices to check whether yours is supported:

– Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a

– Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a

– Pixel Tablet

– Pixel Fold

– Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8a

– Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Pixel 9a

– Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, Pixel 10 Pro Fold, Pixel 10a

Android 17 Beta 3: All new features explained

One of the more visible tweaks is the option to hide app labels on the home screen. It is a small visual adjustment, but one that lends Android a cleaner, more minimal look, especially for users who already navigate by icon memory.

Screen recording also gets a meaningful upgrade. Instead of burying controls in menus, there is now a floating toolbar that appears once recording begins, making it easier to pause, stop, or tweak settings. Quick Settings sees a familiar request finally addressed, with separate toggles for Wi-Fi and mobile data returning.

ALSO READ: Android 17 could bring the biggest UI tweak in years

Elsewhere, Android is getting better at anticipating routine disruptions. Scheduled clock change alerts, for instance, notify you when your device adjusts for events like daylight savings, removing that small but recurring moment of confusion.

Beyond visual tweaks, Beta 3 expands Android’s accessibility and personalisation toolkit. Users with hearing devices can now choose exactly where system sounds play, whether through the hearing aid or the phone’s speakers.

There is also a new dedicated volume stream for Google Assistant, separating it from general media volume. It is a small fix, but one that avoids the all-too-common annoyance of mismatched audio levels.

Customisation continues with per-app exceptions for the expanded dark theme, letting users decide which apps should ignore system-wide dark mode. Meanwhile, even the humble text cursor gets attention, with adjustable blink rates or the option to turn it off entirely.

ALSO READ: Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold review

Under the surface, Android 17 is also preparing for more flexible device experiences. Interactive picture-in-picture in desktop mode, improved widget scaling for external displays, and support for the RAW14 image format all hint at a platform that is increasingly comfortable across different screen sizes and use cases.

Have you tried out Android 17’s Beta 3? Drop a comment to let us know about your experience.