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Android Authority reports that despite Google tightening sideloading rules this year—requiring a device restart and a 24-hour wait before enabling it—the platform still cannot natively install APK Bundle (.APKM) files. Users wanting to sideload these split-file app packages, a format introduced in 2018, must rely on third-party apps to do so.
New Chromebooks replace the traditional Caps Lock key with a Quick Insert button that gives access to clipboard items, emojis, GIFs, translation, and voice typing. Google engineer Mishaal Rahman confirmed on Reddit that Chrome OS does not currently support remapping this key to restore Caps Lock functionality. Users can still trigger Caps Lock by holding the function key and pressing Quick Insert, or rely on Shift keys for capital letters.
Googlebook OS's Chrome browser does not support multiple user profiles, a feature available on Chrome OS and iOS. Users can only access account settings through the profile icon, with no option to switch profiles directly within the browser. Google has acknowledged the absence and indicated that a feature request has been submitted.
Google is rolling out a fix for a bug that removed cellular signal strength indicators from Android Auto dashboards earlier this year. Google employee Mishaal Rahman confirmed the fix is currently rolling out, after some users reported the icon's return in the Android Auto v17.8 beta build. The fix is not yet widely available on the stable channel.
Google's new Android developer verification rules took effect September 30 in four countries, requiring apps from participating stores—including Google Play, Galaxy Store, and others—to come from registered developers on certified devices running Android 7 or later. Users can still sideload unverified apps through a new advanced flow, but it requires enabling a developer option, authenticating, restarting the device, and waiting 24 hours before installation is allowed.
Google released Android 17 QPR2 Beta 6.1, adding builds for the Pixel 11 lineup after last week's Beta 6 release omitted them. Pixel 6a through Pixel 10 devices receive build CP41.260831.007.A3, while all Pixel 11 models get build CP41.260831.011. Google notes Pixel 11 Pro Fold users may need to re-enroll Face Unlock for it to work properly.
Google has pushed out Android 17 QPR2 Beta 6 to Pixel testers, arriving sooner than the usual two-week cadence and carrying build number CP41.260831.007. Unlike Beta 5, this build does not support the Pixel 11 series, only extending to Pixel 10 devices, alongside a set of bug fixes Google outlined for the release.
Google rolled out a new location metadata API for Android's Photo Picker in its August Mainline update, and Snapseed (version 4.1.5.970833206) is the first app to adopt it. The update adds a prompt asking whether to include an image's location info when selecting it, plus a floating toggle button to quickly enable or disable that metadata sharing.