What New Dark‑Mode and Theming Features Arrive in Android 16 QPR2 Beta?

Google began rolling out Android 16 to beta testers on August 20, adding expanded dark‑mode support and themed app‑icon capabilities.

QPR2 Beta 1 was released on August 21 alongside the Pixel 10 series and is expected to become generally available around December.

The update introduces a new “dark theme” option that intelligently inverts UI elements of apps that remain light even when the system dark mode is enabled, helping users with low vision or light sensitivity; it also darkens app splash screens and adjusts the status‑bar color.

Another feature forces themed icon colors onto apps that do not natively support adaptive icons, eliminating the need for developers to provide separate monochrome assets and giving users a consistent home‑screen aesthetic.

Android settings now include a “parental controls” section that integrates with Google Family Link, allowing password‑protected screen‑time limits, downtime schedules, app blocking, and safe‑search filtering.

Additional improvements improve data migration reliability between Android and iOS devices, add PDF annotation and editing support, and integrate Bluetooth LE personal audio sharing directly into the system output switcher.

QPR2 Beta 1 will be delivered automatically to Pixel users enrolled in the Android Beta program; other users must wait for the public release later this year.

Developers can view the full feature list on the Android Developers Blog.

https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2025/08/android-16-qpr2-beta-1-is-here.html