Apple, Google both drop new beta updates for iOS 27 and Android 17 QPR1
Android and iOS users both have beta updates ready to install!
Both iOS and Android users receive beta updates. | Image by PhoneArena
Google and Apple both released new beta updates for Android 17 and iOS 27 respectively. Let's start with Google, which released Android 17 QPR1 Beta 9, which should be the last beta update before the September Pixel Feature Drop is, well, dropped.
Pixel 6 series receives perhaps its penultimate software update from Google
Those with the Pixel 6 series (including yours truly's Pixel 6 Pro) through the Pixel 10 line who have joined the Android 17 QPR1 beta (this is for the September Feature Drop) received the update on Monday. Don't confuse this with the Android 17 QPR2 beta, which tests and previews the December Pixel Feature Drop. However, since my phone loses support as soon as the calendar flips to October, the Pixel 6 Pro (and the Pixel 6) are not receiving the Android 17 QPR2 beta.
These are the five Android bugs exterminated by the update
The update features build number CP31.260623.012, and for the third consecutive update, it features security update 2026-07-05. The update exterminates five bugs including:
- A bug has been fixed that prevented the user of an Android phone from swiping the bottom gesture bar to switch between apps after employing Circle to Search. The latter is the feature that allows users to use their finger to circle something inside an image that they want to go through Google Search.
- A really annoying bug is no more. It caused loud noises to play during media playback and interactions with notifications. Quite a few Issue Tracker submissions were made for this bug with one user telling Google that his device was unusable with this bug.
- Speaking of annoying, this update kills a bug that caused an Android phone to bootloop every 20 to 30 seconds. An Issue Tracker was filed by a Pixel 7 user whose phone was restarting every 20 to 30 seconds.
- A now exterminated bug caused taskbar icons to disappear when opening apps or entering bubble mode on foldable devices.
- One very important bug that caused battery drain is now fixed thanks to this update.
How to install Android 17 QPR1 Beta 9
To install the update, go to Settings > System > Software updates > System update. If you receive an update notification card, follow the directions for installing the update. I should also point out that after installing this beta, make sure to go to Settings > System > Software updates > Google Play system update. That's because this beta included the August 1, 2026 Google Play system update for my Pixel 6 Pro.
Google Issue Tracker details complaint from Pixel user whose phone was making a loud noise. | Image by Google
Let's now move to iOS as Apple released iOS 27 Beta 6. Siri AI seemed to be a little faster although I'm still getting cut off before I can finish longer verbal prompts. Having said this, Siri AI starts processing right after I finish shorter verbal prompts.
Apple releases iOS 27 Beta 6. | Image by PhoneArena
What I can say at this point is that from the June release of iOS 27 beta to today, Apple has really improved Siri AI to the point that the gap with the Gemini Assistant on my Pixel. If you recall, I pointed out back in June that Siri AI could not tell you stock quotes from the past. That has changed and my feeling is that by the time stable iOS 27 is released in the middle of next month, the AI assistant will be everything that long-suffering iPhone users have wanted.
Changes found in iOS 27 Beta 6
Other changes include a fix for a user interface bug with Pinned Messages discovered in the previous beta and a new iOS notification animation. Those iPhone users running the iOS 27 beta might have noticed that the icon for the Siri app has changed. It now more closely resembles the actual look of Siri AI when it "escapes" the Dynamic Island.
To install the developer version of iOS 27 beta 6, make sure that you are a member of the Apple Beta Software Program. Go to Settings > General > Software Update. When the update notification card appears, follow the directions.
Don't fret if you are nervous about installing the beta (although at this stage it really should be okay). After all, you are just three to four weeks away from receiving the stable version of iOS 27. Remember, only the iPhone 15 Pro, the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the iPhone 16 series, and the iPhone 17 line will be able to run the new Siri AI once iOS 27 is installed on compatible models.
If you don't have one of these iPhone models, you can still go to the App Store and install the iOS version of the Google Gemini app, ChatGPT, or Copilot. You don't need iOS 27 to download any of these apps on your iPhone.
Like articles about updates? Here are some more:
- New camera feature coming to iOS 27
- Changes for iOS 27 lock screen
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