WhatsApp is testing a new privacy feature, Restricted Chat, for some Android beta users. The new feature is replacing Advanced Chat Privacy and gives users more control over specific conversations.

Restricted Chat is replacing the older Advanced Chat Privacy feature. WhatsApp already protects messages and calls with end-to-end encryption. So, users do not need Restricted Chat for basic security. Instead, the new feature provides extra privacy controls.

Users can turn on Restricted Chat from the chat info screen. It is turned off by default, so users have to enable it themselves. At the moment, the feature works only with individual chats.

When a chat is restricted, WhatsApp adds several limits. Photos and videos from the conversation will not be automatically saved to the phone’s gallery. Users also cannot export the chat. Meta AI features will also not work inside a restricted conversation.

Image via WABetaInfo

There ‘s also a new change that is restricted chats will work only on the primary phone. They will not be available on linked devices such as WhatsApp Web or other connected devices.

WhatsApp will also show a message in the chat to let everyone know about this restriction. The primary-device limit may also help prevent unofficial apps and AI tools from accessing messages through linked devices.

WhatsApp is slowly rolling out Restricted Chat to Android beta testers. As the rollout is limited, some users may still see the old Advanced Chat Privacy option.

The feature was spotted in WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.26.39.11. WhatsApp has not yet confirmed when Restricted Chat will be available to all users.

Google just pushed Android 17 QPR2 Beta 6.1 update, which introduced a new feature, minor user interface tweaks, and a set of bug fixes.

Beta 6.1 is a minor update, which seems incremental over Beta 6. Notably, Google released Android 17 QPR2 Beta 6 for Pixel devices on September 25 with 5 key enhancements.

Distinct changes

The latest Android update comes with a nifty UI tweak for the battery icon. When the phone is charging, the battery icon in the status bar adds a thin border all around.

Additionally, the update introduces the HiLight feature for messages on Pixel 11 Pro. Messages from favorites: Glows when your favorite contacts send you messages.

App lock removal

The native App Lock function is no longer accessible in Android 17 QPR2 Beta 6. The company may have changed its plans for the feature, keeping it under the hood rather than letting consumers play with it.

This is a notable change as Pixel users were really enjoying the App Lock feature. If Google intends to keep it inaccessible, Samsung might not ship App Lock with One UI 9.5 update next year.

Source – 9to5Google

Beta 6.1 known issues

• Pixel 11 Pro Fold users may have to re-enroll Face Unlock.

Beta 6 fixes

• A visual regression causing letterboxed content to leak through the status bar during activity transitions.
• The screensaver displays a blank screen while charging.
• Unexpected device reboots on Pixel 9 Pro Fold when initializing the camera viewfinder in third-party applications.
• Locked applications could not be dismissed using swipe gestures in Recents.
• A system kernel crash causing devices to unexpectedly reboot when third-party applications requested simultaneous camera and microphone access during biometric identity verification.
• An issue that caused device crashes, reboots, or hangs when scrolling.

Google is working on a new app, Create My Widget. The app will help users make their own widgets with the help of Gemini. Google has now listed the app on the Play Store, giving users a first look at its features.

The app will offer different widget categories. These include combo widgets, important dates, weather alerts, and daily brief. Each category will have different templates and ideas that users can try.

Users will also be able to edit the widgets after creating them. They can make changes and adjust the widget before adding it to their home screen.

Create My Widget is also expected to work on Googlebook laptops. These devices may offer more categories, including events and travel, daily habits, and tools and tips. Users can choose a template or simply describe what they need, and Gemini will help create it.

The Play Store listing shows the app version as 1.27.983746769.0-desktop_release. This may be connected to Google’s upcoming Googlebook laptops.

Google has not yet announced all the details or the final release date. However, the Play Store listing gives us a clear idea of how the new app could work.

Google pushed the Android 17 QPR2 Beta 6 update for Pixel devices, bringing fixes for the top five issues. This release focuses on addressing OS-related problems instead of installing new features for users.

Released on September 24, the Android 17 QPR2 Beta 6 build carries version CP41.260831.007 and addresses several problems affecting system UI, charging, camera use, multitasking, and overall device reliability.

Android 17 QPR2 remains a relatively incremental release, with Google describing it as a minor SDK update without planned behavior changes.

The Beta 6 build is available across a broad range of Pixel devices, from the Pixel 6a through newer Pixel models. With Beta 6 now addressing several core stability problems, Google appears to be moving Android 17 QPR2 closer to its eventual stable rollout.

Top issues fixed in Android 17’s QPR2 Beta 6

1. A visual regression causing letterboxed content to leak through the status bar during activity transitions.
2. The screensaver displays a blank screen while charging.
3. Unexpected device reboots on Pixel 9 Pro Fold when initializing the camera viewfinder in third-party applications.
4. Locked applications could not be dismissed using swipe gestures in Recents.
5. A system kernel crash causing devices to unexpectedly reboot when third-party applications requested simultaneous camera and microphone access during biometric identity verification.
6. An issue that caused device crashes, reboots, or hangs when scrolling.

Google has released Android Canary 2609, a new test version of Android. It includes an important security feature that many users have been waiting for.

The new feature adds a lock to Quick Settings. When this feature is turned on, users must first unlock their phone before changing some important settings. These include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Mobile Data, and Airplane Mode.

This feature can be helpful if a phone is lost or stolen. A person who finds the phone will not be able to quickly turn off Wi-Fi, mobile data, or other connections without unlocking the device.

Users can find this option under Settings >> Security & privacy >> Device unlock or Settings >> Display and touch >> Lock screen, depending on the phone.

Image via Mishaal Rahman

Android Canary 2609 is currently a test version, so Google does not recommend using it as a daily phone software. It is mainly designed for developers who want to test new Android features. Canary versions can have bugs and may cause other problems.

The new update is available for many Pixel phones, including the Pixel 10, Pixel 9, Pixel 8, Pixel 7, and Pixel 6a series, along with Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet. Pixel 9a support will come later, while Pixel 11 support is expected in the next Canary release.

After installing Canary, users will receive regular Canary updates. To go back to a normal Android version, the phone must be flashed with a non-Canary build, which will erase all data. Android Canary 2609 gives users an early look at new Android features, with the Quick Settings lock being one of its most useful security additions.