Google unveiled the major new features coming to Android 17 in May 2026, presenting the updates during a dedicated Android Show held ahead of its annual I/O developer conference. The release covers a wide range of changes, from AI-powered tools to security upgrades and a complete emoji overhaul.
All 4,000 of Android’s emoji are being redesigned with a more three-dimensional look, with the updated set arriving on Pixel phones first later this year. A new digital well-being tool called Pause Point lets users label certain apps as distracting, triggering a mandatory 10-second timer before the app opens, along with prompts for breathing exercises or alternative apps. Turning Pause Point off entirely requires a full phone restart.
Screen Reactions, launching on Pixel phones this summer, lets users record their selfie camera alongside on-screen content to create reaction videos. On the file-sharing front, Quick Share’s interoperability with Apple AirDrop is expanding to phones from Xiaomi, Honor, and OnePlus, in addition to previously announced support from Oppo and Vivo. Google is also adding a QR code option so iPhone users can receive files directly to iCloud storage.
Several features are grouped under Google’s new “Gemini Intelligence” branding and will roll out to select Pixel and Samsung Galaxy phones this summer. Rambler is a real-time transcription tool that removes filler words, condenses speech, corrects errors, and supports multiple languages in a single message. Create My Widget lets users build custom home screen widgets using natural language descriptions. Task Automation, already available for food delivery and rideshare apps, is being expanded to support additional apps.
Easier iPhone-to-Android switching is also on the way. Apple added wireless transfer support in iOS 26.3, and Google says compatible Android 17 devices — starting with Pixel and Galaxy phones — will support the feature later this year.
Android 17 also includes several security additions, including bank-number spoofing protection, improved malware detection for app behavior, remote biometric locking for lost phones, and stricter PIN-guess limits with longer wait times between failed attempts.
Source: The Verge