Android 15 QPR2 is the first beta for the March 2025 Pixel Feature Drop.

The Android Beta Program and Pixel Feature Drops are inextricably linked; as soon as a new version of Android leaves beta and enters the stable channel, a three-month countdown begins for the next significant update, the Quarterly Platform Release, which eventually becomes Google's first Feature Drop for that version. QPR1, QPR2, and QPR3 are the titles of the beta programs for the three drops that Google delivers annually.


Midway through October, Android 15 was made available on the stable channel. A patch release was made just last week. Google declared that the beta program it had been conducting for the first QPR of Android 15 was finished in between two releases, which meant that the December 2024 Pixel Feature Drop was locked and loaded. With the release of the first Android 15 QPR2 beta, it is now turning the page to the March 2025 Pixel Feature Drop.
An illustration of Vanilla Ice Cream's internal codename for Android 15

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Early on Tuesday morning, Mishaal Rahman saw the new Generic System Images on Google's servers, identifying the build ID as BP11.241025.006. By releasing the updated OTA files and the accompanying release notes, Google formally announced the situation:

About QPR2 Beta 1 for Android 15

We keep adding fixes and enhancements to the platform, which are subsequently sent to compatible devices, building on the initial release of Android 15. AOSP and Google Pixel devices receive these releases on a quarterly basis through Quarterly Platform Releases (QPRs), which are sent as part of Feature Drops.

While app-impacting API changes are not included in these updates, we do include screenshots of the most recent QPR beta builds so you can test your app with them as appropriate (for instance, if there are planned features that might affect your app's user experience).

These builds are appropriate for general usage, in contrast to developer previews and betas for major, unreleased versions of Android. Review any known problems, nevertheless, that are mentioned on this page.

The modifications in Android 15 and Android 15 QPR1's first releases are expanded upon in Android 15 QPR2. The latest wave of upgrades, including bug fixes and enhancements to performance and stability, is included in this QPR release.

General warnings

Take note of the following general warnings regarding the release:

There may be a number of performance, battery, or stability problems with this update.
This release may not be suitable for everyday usage by users with accessibility needs.
Using this release may cause some apps to not work as intended. This restriction applies to both Google and other apps.
Although the Android 15 QPR beta releases have passed first testing and offer developers a stable set of pre-release APIs, they are not Compatibility Test Suite (CTS)-approved. Apps that utilise SafetyNet APIs or rely on CTS-approved builds may not function properly on Android 15 QPR beta releases.

What's new in QPR2 Beta 1 of Android 15

We already know a good deal about this release because Rahman loaded up the GSIs and began researching it using a Twitter thread. For starters, the GSIs at least have the native Linux terminal program that was observed in development. Additionally, the Settings app now has a dedicated Modes section for the new Priority Modes, which were initially believed to be replacing Do Not Disturb Mode on Android 16.
With the keyboard behind it, the Nubia Flip 5G is partially open on the desk.

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Rahman adds that the Mouse Keys feature, which he covered for Android Police, is now operational and lets you use the arrow keys on a real keyboard to manipulate the mouse cursor. This is related to something we hadn't seen before: The Touchpad & Mouse Settings menu was redesigned, and pointer speed and accessibility settings were moved to a new submenu.

The touchpad and mouse settings have been rearranged in Android 15 QPR2 Beta 1. Instead of everything being on one page, the pointer and touchpad accessibility submenu now includes the new pointer colour customisation menu that I noticed in the previous beta. image.twitter.com/RWITe4YLKX — November 12, 2024, Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman)

The devices we tested have installed the update without any problems, however it looks Google is seeding the full factory images as OTAs. As of right now, we're seeing download sizes in the 2–3GB area, which suggests there may be a problem with the OTAs. The fact that Linux kernel 6.1.99 is included for all Tensor-powered Pixels in this update, which covers all eligible devices, may also contribute to the increased update size, as noted by the Google News Telegram Channel.

You must have a Pixel 6 or later and be enrolled in the Android Beta Program in order to test this version. Go to Settings System Software updates System update Check for update after completing that. If you don't have access to a computer and a USB data cord, you can manually apply the update in a few easy steps after downloading the OTA file or factory images. 

Source:  https://www.androidpolice.com/android-15-qpr2-beta-1-march-2025-pixel-feature-drop/

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