Android 16 could also be engaged on new strategy to kind Fast Settings tiles

Google simply launched a brand new Android beta replace immediately, and on the floor, it’s a a lot smaller launch than final month’s replace which included large modifications like lock display screen widgets and desktop windowing. We’re nonetheless digging via the replace to see if there are any hints at upcoming modifications due in future releases, and whereas poking round a bit, we discovered one thing that may arrive in subsequent yr’s Android 16 launch: Fast Setting tile classes.

Hidden throughout the up to date SystemUI app within the newest Android 15 beta are strings that recommend the Fast Settings panel will set up tiles into at most 7 totally different classes. These classes embody Accessibility, Connectivity, Show, Privateness, Offered by apps, Unknown, and Utilities.

Presently, whenever you go to edit the Fast Settings panel within the newest Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3 replace that Google rolled out immediately, each single tile that isn’t already a part of the panel is proven in an unorganized two-column checklist. That features each native system-provided tiles in addition to app-provided tiles. Android merely places new tiles that apps contribute on the finish of the checklist, probably forcing you to scroll up and down so much to search out the appropriate tile so as to add to the Fast Settings panel.

Nonetheless, as a part of its efforts to overhaul the notification and Fast Settings panels in Android 16, Google will even be overhauling the Fast Settings editor. After updating my Pixel to Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3 and activating the revamped Fast Settings UI, I observed that the tiles within the editor view have been now organized into the aforementioned classes. Listed below are some screenshots exhibiting how this seems:

As you possibly can see, tiles like Information Saver and Hotspot are grouped collectively below the Connectivity class whereas tiles like Shade correction, Shade inversion, Listening to gadgets, and One-handed mode are put below the Accessibility class.

You’ll discover that my screenshots are lacking the Utilities and Unknown classes, although. The Utilities class is lacking as a result of I had already added tiles like Machine controls and QR code scanner to the Fast Settings panel — Android doesn’t present classes that don’t have any extra tiles you possibly can add to the panel, which is sensible. As for the Unknown class, I’m undecided when that may present up, as a result of each Fast Setting tile is both supplied by the system or by a third-party app, so there shouldn’t be any not in any other case categorized.

Talking of what’s unknown, although, is the launch date for this new characteristic. Since Fast Setting tile classes don’t present up with the present Fast Settings UI, I’m assuming this characteristic received’t arrive till Android 16. The explanation I’m making that assumption is that the brand new Fast Settings UI is simply too huge of an overhaul to be reserved for a minor Android 15 QPR replace, although I could possibly be unsuitable.

In any case, Google is tweaking the Fast Settings editor menu to be extra organized, and whether or not that arrives in an Android 15 QPR replace or in Android 16 doesn’t matter. It’s a long-overdue however nonetheless welcome change that ought to hopefully tidy up the Fast Settings editor and make it simpler so that you can discover and add the appropriate tiles to the Fast Settings panel.