Android 16 QPR2 brings AI agents, flexible parental controls, and UWB upgrades

Google is accelerating Android development with a new twice-yearly release schedule, and the upcoming Android 16 QPR2 update represents the company’s first “minor” release under this faster cadence. QPR stands for Quarterly Platform Release—Google’s system for delivering significant updates between major Android versions.

This December release will introduce three substantial improvements that signal Google’s broader push into AI-powered mobile experiences and enhanced device connectivity. While these updates may seem technical on the surface, they represent meaningful shifts in how businesses and consumers will interact with their Android devices.

3 major features coming to Android 16 QPR2

1. AI agents that can control other apps

Android 16 QPR2 will introduce sophisticated controls for AI assistants, allowing them to perform actions across multiple apps on your behalf—essentially creating AI agents that can handle complex, multi-step tasks.

This capability builds on Android 16’s App Functions API (Application Programming Interface), a technical framework that allows app developers to expose their core features to AI assistants like Google Gemini. Think of it as creating bridges between your AI assistant and your favorite apps, enabling seamless automation without manual intervention.

The practical implications are substantial. Instead of opening a food delivery app, browsing menus, and placing an order manually, you could simply tell your AI assistant to “order my usual from that Thai restaurant,” and it would handle the entire transaction across multiple apps and services.

However, Google has been cautious about rolling out this functionality, likely due to privacy and security concerns. Currently, users face an all-or-nothing choice: either grant an AI assistant broad permissions to control apps, or disable the feature entirely.

Android 16 QPR2 solves this problem by introducing granular controls through a new “agent control of other apps” page in the device’s privacy settings. This interface will allow users to specify exactly which AI assistants can perform actions on their devices and in which apps, providing the security controls necessary for widespread adoption.

This development positions Android as a platform where AI assistants can function as true digital agents rather than simple voice-activated search tools. For businesses, this could mean more sophisticated automation of routine tasks, while consumers gain access to genuinely helpful AI that can manage complex workflows across their digital lives.

2. Enhanced parental controls for modern families

Android 16 QPR2 introduces “local supervision,” a new parental control system designed specifically for separated families, mixed households, and situations involving multiple caregivers.

Currently, Android’s parental controls operate through Google Family Link, which requires all supervising adults to join the same Google family group. This system works well for traditional family structures but creates complications for divorced parents, blended families, or situations involving grandparents, babysitters, or other trusted caregivers.

The limitation stems from Google’s family group restrictions, which allow only two designated “parents” and require all members to share certain Google services and payment methods. For separated parents who prefer to maintain separate digital lives, or families that need flexible caregiver arrangements, this system proves inadequate.

Local supervision changes this dynamic by shifting control from cloud-based family groups to device-level PIN codes. Instead of requiring a parent’s Google account password to modify settings, the new system uses a simple PIN that can be safely shared with any trusted adult.

This PIN-based approach enables much more flexible supervision arrangements. A divorced parent can set up parental controls and share the PIN with their ex-spouse, grandparents, or babysitters without compromising their personal Google account security. The PIN can be changed at any time if needed, and it controls the same range of features as traditional parental controls: screen time limits, app restrictions, downtime scheduling, and content filtering.

The system works by creating a hidden “supervising” profile on the device that requires PIN authentication for sensitive changes. Parents can still use Google Family Link for additional remote monitoring features, but local supervision provides a more practical solution for day-to-day management in complex family situations.

For businesses developing family-oriented apps or services, this change signals Android’s recognition that modern family structures require more flexible digital tools than traditional systems provide.

3. Advanced Ultra-Wideband capabilities

Android 16 QPR2 will upgrade the platform’s Ultra-Wideband (UWB) support with features from the FiRa 3.0 specification, enabling more sophisticated location-based services and device interactions.

UWB is a short-range wireless technology that provides extremely precise location tracking—accurate to within centimeters rather than the meters typical of Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. While consumers might know UWB from features like Apple’s AirTags or car key functionality, the technology has broader applications in business and industrial settings.

The FiRa 3.0 specification introduces several technical improvements that expand UWB’s practical applications. Hybrid UWB scheduling allows multiple UWB-enabled features to operate simultaneously without interference, while enhanced data transfer capabilities and improved security make the technology suitable for sensitive applications.

These upgrades enable new use cases that blend convenience with security. Public transportation systems could use UWB for contactless fare collection that works simply by walking through a turnstile. Retail environments could implement UWB-based contactless payments that activate automatically when customers approach checkout areas. Office buildings could use UWB for logical access control, automatically unlocking doors as authorized employees approach.

The precision and security improvements in FiRa 3.0 also make UWB suitable for industrial applications like asset tracking in warehouses, equipment monitoring in manufacturing facilities, or secure access control in sensitive environments.

For businesses, these UWB enhancements represent an opportunity to create more seamless, secure interactions between people and connected systems. As UWB-enabled devices become more common, companies that understand and implement these capabilities early will have advantages in creating frictionless customer experiences.

Release timeline and broader implications

Google currently targets a December 2, 2025 release date for Android 16 QPR2, though the company has adjusted release schedules in the past. The update represents the final quarterly Android release of 2025 under Google’s accelerated development cycle.

These three features collectively demonstrate Google’s strategic focus on AI integration, flexible user controls, and enhanced device connectivity. The AI agent controls position Android as a platform where artificial intelligence can genuinely assist with complex tasks rather than simply responding to voice commands. The parental control improvements acknowledge that digital tools must adapt to modern family realities. The UWB enhancements lay groundwork for more sophisticated location-based services and seamless device interactions.

For businesses and consumers, Android 16 QPR2 represents a significant step toward more intelligent, flexible, and connected mobile experiences. While the technical implementation may seem complex, the practical benefits—AI that can handle multi-app tasks, parental controls that work for real families, and location technology that enables new types of seamless interactions—point toward a mobile platform that better serves how people actually live and work in 2025.