Google just started rolling out Android 16 and released the June Pixel Drop and with them, the tech giant is rolling out six new Android features that are all about personalization. If you are someone who likes things to feel a little different from the standard setup, you'll probably want to check these out.
From custom icons in group chats to your own tailored Google Home Favorites that follow you from your phone to your TV to your smartwatch – these features are built to move with you whether you are at home or on the go.
OK, let's start with group chats. Coming soon to Google Messages, you'll be able to customize RCS group chats by setting a unique name and even assigning a custom icon – finally making them stand out in a sea of messages.
Google Messages gets new features. | Image credit – Google
You'll also be able to see which of your contacts are using RCS (something we recently told you about) and mute notifications from specific group chats for however long you want. These are small touches, but they are the kind of tweaks that make messaging feel way more personal.
Photo editing in Google Photos is also getting a big upgrade. A redesigned image editor is on the way, complete with new AI-powered suggestions that bring up the right tools at just the right time. Just tap, circle or brush whatever you want to fix. The new "Reimagine" feature lets you describe what you want to see and the AI will bring it to life. There's also Auto frame, which helps you expand your photo's scene or get a clean crop with almost no effort.
You can bring out the magic in every photo with the new image editor. | Image credit – Google
The Google Home app is also seeing a useful update. Now you can create device-specific shortcuts for your Favorites, letting you pin things exactly where it makes the most sense. Want to put your security camera feed on your Google TV? Done. Control your kitchen speaker straight from your Android phone? Easy. Adjust the thermostat from your Wear OS smartwatch? Also doable.
You can now manage smart home products faster. | Image credit – Google
Personally, I think this is one of the most useful updates – it just makes managing your smart home way faster and more intuitive. I mean, it is one of those features that quietly makes your day smoother.
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Another one I think is worth highlighting is an update to the Safety Check feature in the Personal Safety app. When you are out running, hiking or just doing your thing alone, you can set a check-in time to make sure you return safely. If you don't respond when the timer ends, your location is sent to your emergency contacts.
If you decide to stop for a while in the middle of your run, you can extend the check-in time with a tap. | Image credit – Google
The new addition? You can now extend your Safety Check timer right from your phone or smartwatch without having to restart the whole thing. So, if you stop for a smoothie mid-run or decide to take a longer route, you can just tap and extend. It's a solid safety tool, but I do hope people don't forget about it and accidentally trigger emergency alerts – emergency responders don't need unnecessary stress because someone skipped a check-in by mistake.
Now for something a bit more fun: Emoji Kitchen is getting new sticker combos. You'll now be able to mix and match emojis to express yourself in even more creative ways – like a praying carrot or a pointing pig. Whether you are trying to make someone laugh or just want to send something a little unexpected, these new Gboard combos are a playful way to spice up your chats.
You can also express yourself better with new Emoji Kitchen stickers. | Image credit – Google
And finally, if you ride public transit and use a Wear OS smartwatch, things will get smoother. You'll now be able to tap to pay with your city transit card, even if the Google Wallet app isn't open. That's a big win for anyone who's ever been rushing through a station with hands full or a line forming behind them.
Are these features groundbreaking? Not really. But they are definitely the kind of updates that make daily life easier and more enjoyable. And with Apple just announcing iOS 26 – packed with subtle quality-of-life improvements – it's a smart move on Google's part to spotlight these upgrades now.
Tsveta, a passionate technology enthusiast and accomplished playwright, combines her love for mobile technologies and writing to explore and reveal the transformative power of tech. From being an early follower of PhoneArena to relying exclusively on her smartphone for photography, she embraces the immense capabilities of compact devices in our daily lives. With a Journalism degree and an explorative spirit, Tsveta not only provides expert insights into the world of gadgets and smartphones but also shares a unique perspective shaped by her diverse interests in travel, culture, and visual storytelling.
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