Android 17's 8 best features: Bubbles, screen reactions, more

Key Takeaways

• Bubbles now work with all apps, not just chat apps, enabling floating windows across the entire OS
• Screen Reactions lets you record your face and screen simultaneously for real-time reaction videos
• New security controls include temporary precise location permissions and per-contact sharing

Google's Android 17 is now rolling out to Pixel devices, and the update packs eight features worth knowing about. The headline change is Bubbles, a floating window system that now works with every app. But the update also targets creators with a new screen recording tool, tightens security permissions, and squeezes background apps to use less RAM.

Less than a month after I/O 2026, Android 17 lands as part of Google's new second-quarter release cycle. Internally codenamed "Cinnamon Bun," the update reflects a broader push toward what Google calls an "intelligence-first" architecture, with the new Model Context Protocol and AppFunctions API allowing AI agents to interact directly with app functions.

How do Bubbles work in Android 17?

Bubbles let you turn any app into a floating window. Long-press an app icon on your home screen, tap the button that appears in the top-left corner, and the app shrinks into a movable bubble. Tap the bubble to expand it into a floating window that hovers above whatever you're doing. Drag it to the bottom of the screen to dismiss it.

Android had bubble windows before, but they were restricted to chat apps. The idea was to let you keep multiple conversations accessible without switching contexts. Android 17 extends that logic to your entire app library. You can stack multiple bubbles on the side of your screen and jump between them with a tap.

For larger Pixel devices like foldables and tablets, Google added a dedicated Bubble Bar. Dismissed bubbles dock there instead of disappearing. Sarah Thompson, lead analyst at TechInsiders, called the Bubble Bar "the single most significant usability improvement for foldables we've seen since the form factor launched."

What is Screen Reactions?

Screen Reactions is Google's answer to the reaction video trend. The feature records your screen and your front camera simultaneously, producing a single video where your face appears as an overlay. No green screen, no app switching, no editing required to sync the two feeds.

The use case is obvious: quick reaction clips for social media. But most polished reaction videos rely on deliberate cuts and timing. Screen Reactions works best for off-the-cuff content or videos shared with friends and family rather than produced content. Serious creators will likely still separate the recording processes to maintain control over the edit.

What security features does Android 17 add?

Android 17 introduces granular permissions that address two long-standing annoyances. First, you can now grant apps temporary access to your precise location. The app sees your exact coordinates only while it's open. Second, when an app requests contact access, you can share specific contacts instead of handing over your entire address book. Previously, it was all or nothing.

Google also added "Mark as lost" to Find Hub. When your phone goes missing, this feature locks it so that even someone who knows your PIN can't unlock it. Only biometrics, a face scan or fingerprint, will work. Even without Mark as lost enabled, Android 17 reduces the number of PIN attempts before lockout and increases wait times between failed guesses.

Live Threat Detection, Google's malware and scam blocker, gets an upgrade too. Google claims Android 17 will block more malicious apps and phishing attempts than previous versions, though the company hasn't shared specific metrics.

What about performance and customization?

Under the hood, Android 17 enforces new memory limits on apps. The goal is to prevent any single app from hogging system RAM. Beta testers reported a 45% average reduction in RAM usage for background apps. That should translate to smoother multitasking and longer battery life, though real-world results will vary by device and usage patterns.

On the customization front, Android 17 lets you remove app icon names from your home screen. If you prefer a cleaner look and can recognize apps by their icons alone, toggle the option under Wallpaper & style > Icons > Names.

The update also adds a dedicated volume slider for your assistant. Previously, assistant volume was tied to your system or ringer volume. Now you can set it independently, so your assistant can be louder or quieter than your notifications. Find the setting under Sound & vibration.

How does the Expanded dark theme work now?

Expanded dark theme forces a dark mode on apps that don't natively support it. The problem: forced dark themes can look ugly in some apps, with clashing colors or unreadable text. Android 17 fixes this by letting you control which apps use Expanded dark theme. You keep the dark background where it works and avoid the visual mess where it doesn't.

Who gets Android 17?

Android 17 is available now on compatible Pixel devices. Google says roughly 120 million Pixel devices qualify for the update. Other Android manufacturers will follow their own timelines, typically weeks to months behind Pixel.

Community reaction has been largely positive, with r/Android users most excited about system-wide Bubbles. Some concerns have surfaced about Live Threat Detection triggering false positives. On Hacker News, developers are debating the privacy implications of the AppFunctions API, particularly how granular permissions for on-device AI agents will actually be.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I enable Bubbles in Android 17?

Long-press any app icon on your home screen and tap the button that appears in the top-left corner. The app will shrink into a floating bubble you can position anywhere on your screen.

Can I use Screen Reactions to record third-party apps?

Yes. Screen Reactions records whatever is on your screen alongside your front camera feed, so you can capture reactions to any app, video, or content.

Does Android 17 work on non-Pixel phones?

Android 17 launched first on Pixel devices. Other manufacturers like Samsung, OnePlus, and Motorola will release their own versions on their own timelines, typically weeks to months later.

What is Mark as lost in Find Hub?

Mark as lost is a security feature that locks your phone so only biometrics (face or fingerprint) can unlock it. Even if someone knows your PIN, they can't access the device.

How do I hide app names on my home screen?

Go to Settings > Wallpaper & style > Icons > Names and toggle the option off. Your home screen will display only app icons without labels.

Source: Lifehacker