The Android 16 test build introduces improved connection switching capabilities for your Pixel device.

      QPR3 Beta 2 features an automatic switch option as well as a standalone toggle focused on battery, allowing users to better balance reliability, data usage, and power consumption.

      Tushar Mehta / Digital Trends

      The Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2 modifies a Pixel setting that addresses one of the most frustrating mobile issues: a Wi-Fi connection that appears active but isn’t functional. Instead of having a single toggle for Adaptive Connectivity, this test build for Android 16 separates the feature into two controls, both of which are enabled by default.

      In the stable QPR2 release, Adaptive Connectivity can be found under Settings, Network and Internet, and relies largely on trust. When activated, Google claims that Android will manage your connections to enhance performance and conserve battery life. In QPR3 Beta 2, the interface provides more informative visuals and clearer labels that explain what the feature does and its potential impacts.

      Although it may seem like a minor change, it offers a neater way to determine when your phone should prioritize staying connected versus maximizing battery life.

      Explicit mobile fallback option

      The first control facilitates an automatic switch to the mobile network when Wi-Fi is weak or unavailable, ensuring that your Pixel can transition to cellular data to keep apps running, accompanied by a clear alert that data charges may apply. This is useful for those experiencing unreliable Wi-Fi at home, in cafes, or in buildings where signals fluctuate. This toggle will help minimize interruptions.

      Now that it's a separate control, you can enable the fallback option without feeling obligated to adopt all aspects of the feature.

      Battery optimization receives its own setting

      The second control focuses on optimizing the network for battery longevity. It retains the original concept where Android automatically selects what it believes is the best connection to prolong battery life. Most users will likely leave this setting untouched, as it is designed to operate quietly in the background.

      With two switches, the trade-off becomes more straightforward. You can choose to prioritize connection reliability while allowing for some additional cellular data use, or you can restrict cellular usage while still allowing Android to optimize for battery.

      Background updates suggest further developments

      Google has also updated Adaptive Connectivity Services through System services, with version p.2026.01 released within the past week. These system updates can modify functionality without requiring a full OS update, so the feature may continue to evolve as the QPR3 beta progresses.

      For those testing this build, it's recommended to maintain your usual routine for a few days, then check your mobile data usage to evaluate the fallback's effectiveness. If you’re not participating in the beta, the key takeaway is that Pixel’s connectivity tools are becoming less of an all-or-nothing choice and more transparent.

      Paulo Vargas is an English major transitioned to a reporter and then to a technical writer, consistently finding his way back to...

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