🧑‍⚕️Android's version of Apple Health is in bad shape, but Google's got a plan for change

On this week's Authority Insights Podcast, we talk about Google's plans to fix Health Connect, why AOSP as we know it may be dead, and more.

Listen below👇

🔗https://www.androidauthority.com/authority-insights-podcast-005-3597154/

🔐Exclusive: Google wants to make Android phones safer by switching to ‘risk-based’ security updates

Android is shifting to a new "Risk-Based Update System" and prioritizing most security fixes for quarterly releases.

Details👇

🔗 https://www.androidauthority.com/android-risk-based-security-updates-3597466/

🎨 Android will soon be able to theme every app icon, and Google Play won't let developers opt out

In order to distribute apps on Google Play, developers MUST now agree to allow users to change the color of/theme their app's icon.

More details👇

🔗https://www.androidauthority.com/google-play-icon-theming-agreement-3597899/

📱🖥Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 get some major DeX upgrades in latest One UI 8 update

You can now:

* Add widgets to the DeX home screen
* Use a full screen button to enter immersive full screen
* Add any app to the taskbar

And more, detailed👇

🔗https://www.androidauthority.com/samsung-dex-changes-one-ui-8-september-3597916/

🔎📷Google's latest Play System Update makes it easier to find and share photos on Android

Android’s Photo Picker finally has a built-in search tool and has a less cluttered album view

More details👇

🔗https://www.androidauthority.com/photo-picker-search-bar-collections-tab-3598215/

📱Android 16's latest QPR2 beta finally lets you customize icon shapes

Google is rolling out the second beta of Android 16 QPR2 to supported Pixel devices ahead of a stable rollout in December

Here's what Google says is new👇

🔗 https://www.androidauthority.com/android-16-qpr2-beta-2-release-3598233/

🔁 Here's every new feature for Pixels in Android 16 QPR2 Beta 2

The second beta of Android 16 QPR2 shows us what’s coming in the December 2025 Pixel Drop.

Here's everything we've found so far👇

(Article will be updated continuously - check back!)

🔗 https://www.androidauthority.com/android-16-qpr2-beta-2-features-3598245/

🚶Health Connect can now track your steps using your Android phone

Google says this simplifies step tracking for devs and makes it more power efficient, but it could also be the start of something bigger.

More details👇

🔗https://www.androidauthority.com/health-connect-step-tracking-3598654/

🔀Android 16 QPR2 may let you flip your Pixel's navigation bar like on Samsung phones

New code in Beta 2 confirms Google is working on a "button order" feature that lets you flip the back and recents buttons in three-button nav

More details👇

🔗 https://www.androidauthority.com/android-16-qpr2-navigation-order-option-rumor-3598791/

🤖⌚️Google is bringing the fun of custom Androidify bots to your Wear OS watch face

Google is bringing Androidify to Wear OS, giving you several watch face options that are centered around your personalized Android Bot

Here's a first look👇

🔗https://www.androidauthority.com/androidify-on-wear-os-hands-on-3598796/

Huge thanks to @not_the_chosen on X for the new channel and group chat logos! He did an amazing job with the design!

📂➡️Apple won’t bring AirDrop to Android, so Google will bring Quick Share to iPhones

This week, we discuss Google's plans to improve Android <-> iOS file sharing, new scam detection features, and Samsung's AI chatbot in its Health app.

Listen👇

🔗 https://www.androidauthority.com/authority-insights-podcast-006-3599173/

🩺 Google could make Android 17 work better with life-saving medical devices

Android 17’s new 'Medical' profile will help medical device apps streamline setup and stay alive in the background.

More details on how this works👇

🔗 https://www.androidauthority.com/android-17-medical-profile-rumor-3599601/

📺 Google is getting ready to kill off Android TV's Discover tab

I spotted a notice on my SHIELD TV the other day that said the tab is "going away soon" and that my "recommendations and watchlist will soon move to the 'Home' tab."

More details 👇

🔗https://www.androidauthority.com/android-tv-discover-3583419/

🎮 Google Play Games is leveling up profiles, rewards, community support, and a whole lot more

* Play Games is enhancing gamer profiles with new tools including an AI avatar generator.
* The first Play Games Leagues will offer gamers a chance to compete in organized events for rewards and clout.
* Play Games Sidekick will use Gemini’s AI power to offer gaming advice without getting in the way of your action.

More details 👇

🔗 https://www.androidauthority.com/play-games-leagues-3600071/

🔎 Google just gave you two new ways to find the right apps on the Play Store

* Google has announced improved ways to find apps in the Play Store, including new “spaces” and a Guided Search tool.
* Spaces will highlight curated, seasonal content and offer samples from apps like HBO Max and Peacock.
* Guided Search aims to make searching for an app easier, using phrases like “find a home” or “deck-building games.”

More details 👇

🔗 https://www.androidauthority.com/google-play-store-new-spaces-guided-search-announced-3600047/