Google launches Android 17, Wear OS 7 for Pixel devices

Google has launched Android 17, the latest version of its mobile operating system, alongside Wear OS 7 for its smartwatches. The stable updates began rolling out to supported Pixel phones and watches on June 16, 2026, as part of the company's June Pixel Feature Drop.

Android 17 introduces several new features focused on multitasking, content creation, gaming, and security. A central addition is the Bubbles feature, which allows users to turn any app into a floating, movable window that stays accessible above other applications. On foldable devices, these bubbles are organized within a dedicated Bubble Bar at the bottom of the screen. For creators, the update includes Screen Reactions, a built-in tool that simultaneously records the device's screen and the user via the front-facing camera.

Gaming on foldable phones receives specific enhancements with a new foldable gaming mode. This mode utilizes a 50/50 screen split, displaying gameplay on the top half and a dynamic virtual gamepad on the bottom. The update also adds native support for remapping external game controllers and includes memory management improvements aimed at reducing frame drops.