Remix in Google Photos could feel less overwhelming with this upcoming upgrade

Making it much easier to find the right template by sorting them in categories

✨ Details/Screenshots - https://www.androidauthority.com/google-photos-remix-template-categories-3632292/

@GappsLeaks

Some personal news:

This is my last day at Android Authority, and it also marks the end of my time posting Android news!

I've spent the past 10 years writing about Android, and I've enjoyed every moment of it. What began as a hobby in college — tinkering with custom ROMs and modding my phone — turned into a long career, one totally disconnected from my degree in Biomed Engineering.

I am not a developer by trade or education, so I've had to learn a LOT to report on Android the way that I do. I've had my share of missteps along the way, but thanks to the help from the developer and enthusiast community, I've learned SO MUCH. I hope I've been successful in passing much of that knowledge on to you!

Thank you to everyone who has followed my journey. I wouldn't have done this work for very long if nobody was there to read it. Your comments encouraged me to invest countless hours into finding new Android features, all in the hopes of sharing these discoveries with people who love the platform as much as I do!

If you're wondering what's next, I'll have more to share later. For now, I've got about a month to take care of personal matters, hit the gym, and prepare for relocation! Thanks for everything!

P.S. If you're wondering, "where will I get my Android news from now?!" I highly recommend Android Authority! I'm obviously biased, but the team there is fantastic and the content they produce is solid! Also, do check out the Android Faithful podcast — Ron, Huyen, Jason, and Flo are a joy to listen to each week!

P.P.S. Due to the nature of my new job, I will unfortunately have to close down the "Playground for Android Nerds", or at least hand the reins to someone else. I'll for sure keep it open until the end of this week, but I recommend going to GappsLeaksChat if you want a chat group with similar vibes.

@MishaalRahman, Congratulations on an incredible decade! Your deep dives and passion have truly shaped the Android community. Wishing you the very best in your next chapter ♥️

Hi, I am @assembleDebug, I work as a contributor on AndroidAuthority where I share features from Android/Google/Samsung and other apps.

People joining from Mishaal Rahman's group are welcome to this group. You can also join my channel @GappsLeaks for regular updates.

I will start sharing Android OS related news through my channel and AndroidAuthority. I am just a beginner (noob :p) and can't guarantee you the same level of detailed articles but I will try my best.

@GappsLeaks

QPR 3 beta 2 is released for Google Pixel devices

@GappsLeaks

QPR3 Beta 2 also contains files for Airdrop support with Quick Share on Pixel 9 series (except Pixel 9a)

I don't have an iPhone to test. It may not work at all currently even you try with an iPhone.

@GappsLeaks

In QPR3 Beta 2, Google has replaced the share targets with share sheet in recents view.

So on long pressing an image in recent, you won't see the Lens/Copy/Share context menu. Instead of this you will directly see the Share sheet with an option to copy the image.

Here is a video (old video from Canary 2512) - https://youtu.be/XlzbZfqFywU?si=43c25Wqls2oAXsFb

Here is the original article where we covered this change - https://www.androidauthority.com/qpr2-recents-screen-3623672/

@GappsLeaks

Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2 brings Recents menu downgrade

Users can no longer save images locally or open them directly in Lens from the Recents screen, with options now limited to just copy or share.

✅ Details - https://www.androidauthority.com/android-16-qpr3-beta-2-recents-menu-downgrade-3632589/

@GappsLeaks

Google Clock bringing new options that will let you choose which gesture you want to dismiss your alarms

A tap or swipe? It also brings Expressive style alarm volume slider.

✅ Details and more screenshots - https://www.androidauthority.com/google-clock-alarm-dismiss-snooze-slider-buttons-3632638/

@GappsLeaks

Google is working on syncing Do Not Disturb across all your Android devices

Along with this we will see Task continuity and Universal Clipboard sync as part of Handoff feature

✅ Details - https://www.androidauthority.com/android-dnd-sync-cross-device-services-3632652/

@GappsLeaks

Here's how Android's Intrusion Detection feature for tracking data breaches works

Device logs collected with this feature are automatically deleted in 12 months and you can't delete them manually

✅ More details & screenshots - https://www.androidauthority.com/android-intrusion-logging-first-look-3632690/

@GappsLeaks

Gmail on Android will finally let you create, edit, and delete labels from your phone

Currently you either need desktop or an iPhone to do these things

✅ Details and screenshots - https://www.androidauthority.com/gmail-android-labels-apk-teardown-3632799/

@GappsLeaks

Google is working on bringing a new feature to Pixel Watches that will notify you when the phone is left behind

This comes after we spotted the "lock phone when left behind" feature last year.

✅ Details - https://www.androidauthority.com/pixel-watch-left-behind-notification-3633004/

@GappsLeaks

🚨 Google Play Prepares to Let Users "Install Without Verifying" as Part of Upcoming 2026 Sideloading Restrictions with developer verification

✅ Details - https://www.androidauthority.com/install-without-verifying-3633199/

@GappsLeaks

Widgets in Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2 are getting easier to resize

Google adds plus-minus controls for resizing Android widgets.

👉 Details & demo - https://www.androidauthority.com/widget-resizing-3633307

@GappsLeaks

YouTube SRV3 subtitles reportedly being disabled, users report custom captions no longer working

SRV3 is YouTube-associated subtitle format that’s never been officially documented for creators, but it has circulated for years in subtitling circles

✅ Details - https://piunikaweb.com/2026/01/18/youtube-srv3-subtitles-disabled-custom-captions-removed/

@GappsLeaks

AssembleDebug's Weekly Android/Google's App Feature Recap [12 - 18 Jan, 2026]

👉 https://thespandroid.blogspot.com/2026/01/weekly-google-android-feature-recap-1.html

Based on the poll, most people want the weekly feature recap back. I am doing this a little bit differently this time, so it can be posted on all my social platforms easily. It will be posted every week on my own blog.

You will be able to find every week's recap on my social media platform by using #WeeklyRecapAD

@GappsLeaks