Android 16 has just received a new notifications makeover as spotted by a user.

What you need to know

• Google’s recent Android 15 QPR1 Beta suggests a major makeover for notifications and the quick settings panel.
• Notifications may appear in a smaller panel, taking up less display space, while the settings menu could feature smaller, circular icons.
• The Android 15 QPR1 Beta 1.1 patch addresses a rebooting issue on Pixel devices, with the stable launch expected in October.

Google’s Android code hints at a redesign for the quick settings menu, potentially changing how notifications will be displayed in upcoming Android versions.

In the recent Android 15 QPR1 Beta, Mishaal Rahman from Android Authority discovered a significant change where the menu now requires two fingers to fully open. This new menu takes up only a quarter of the screen, offering a more compact layout.

To access the full quick settings menu, users may need to use two fingers to expand it. The redesigned menu features smaller circular icons for functions like flashlight, airplane mode, and Google Home, with the ability to rearrange tiles by holding and dragging them.

The proposed redesign also suggests that initial swiping down will only show new notifications in a rounded corner area, alongside time, date, and battery information, allowing users to still view the app they are using.

Rahman speculates that this redesign may be implemented in Android 16 but emphasizes that many elements of the revamp are still unfinished.

Rahman also references “Flexi” or Flexiglass in his screenshots, suggesting a restructured System UI with each component treated as a scene, potentially leading to further changes and redesigns in the future.

While Android 16 is still a year away, the recent Android 15 QPR1 Beta 1.1 update addresses issues on Pixel devices. Android 15 is expected to introduce changes to its DND feature, known as “Priority Mode,” allowing users to customize their do-not-disturb experience and stay focused while using their phones.