Android 17 Beta 3 Brings Split Wi-Fi and Data Tiles, Expanded Bubbles Multitasking
Wi-Fi and Mobile Data Finally Get Their Own Buttons
Google has rolled out Android 17 Beta 3 to Pixel devices, introducing one of the most notable changes in years β the separation of Wi-Fi and mobile data into individual Quick Settings tiles. For as long as most Android users can remember, both connectivity options were bundled into a single toggle, which often required extra steps to manage individually.
This change gives users far more precise control over their connections at a glance, making it easier to switch between home broadband, office Wi-Fi, or mobile data without diving into full settings menus. It's a small but meaningful quality-of-life improvement that addresses a long-standing usability complaint.
Bubbles Multitasking Expands Beyond Messenger
Android 17 Beta 3 also significantly expands the Bubbles feature, which previously worked only within the Messenger app. The update opens up the functionality to a broader range of third-party applications, enabling floating app windows to coexist with whatever else is on screen.
This makes Bubbles particularly powerful on larger displays such as tablets and foldable devices. Users can now keep a chat, media player, or notes app floating as a bubble while working in another application β bringing the experience closer to desktop-level multitasking.
What Else Is New in This Beta Release
Released approximately one month after Beta 2, the third beta signals that Google is on a steady track toward Android 17's stable launch, expected in mid-2026. Beyond the headline features, the update includes visual refinements, improved per-connection controls, and optimisations for wide-screen and foldable form factors.
- Separate Quick Settings tiles for Wi-Fi and mobile data
- Bubbles multitasking expanded to third-party apps
- Enhanced support for tablets and large-screen devices
- General UI polish and performance improvements
Conclusion
Android 17 Beta 3 may not be a dramatic overhaul, but its practical improvements β especially the Quick Settings restructuring and expanded Bubbles β reflect Google's ongoing effort to refine Android's everyday usability. With the stable release expected later in 2026, manufacturers and users alike have plenty to look forward to as these features make their way to a wider range of devices.
