Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1 has been released to Pixel testers, introducing improved support for themed app icons and addressing the issue of inconsistent home screen aesthetics caused by apps lacking native support for themed icon colors.
Previously, Android’s theming system only applied to apps where developers provided a monochrome icon version. This limitation often resulted in a visually fragmented home screen experience with some icons adhering to the color theme while others did not.
QPR2 Beta 1 now allows users to “force themed icon colors” on apps that don’t natively support them. The system can automatically transform icons to monochrome and apply the appropriate palette theming. Testers like scuttlefield and A_Button117 have showcased the effectiveness of this feature.
The effect may be more immediately apparent when installing new apps from the Play Store. Testing confirmed that freshly installed apps demonstrated the new theming capabilities effectively.
Google is also changing how users control app icon theming settings in QPR2. The existing toggle for themed icon colors has been removed, replaced by a dedicated screen of options. This change streamlines the customization process.
A new “Create” button is visible in the updated settings, though currently non-functional. Speculation suggests this button may be linked to ongoing development of AI-powered tools for generating icon styles. The new ‘Create’ button over on the right there sure feels like it might be related to the work we’ve already spotted on a system for AI-generated icon styles.
While the AI-generated icon styles are not yet available for testing, the inclusion of the “Create” button indicates a potential future feature that could further enhance icon customization options within Android.
The update aims to provide a more consistent and visually appealing home screen experience by ensuring that all app icons conform to the user’s chosen theme, regardless of native support from app developers.
