dropdown menu.
* **Photo Picker location access**
* A [new API](https://developer.android.com/reference/android/provider/MediaStore#EXTRA_REQUEST_LOCATION_METADATA_ACCESS) allows apps, with your permission, to access location info from the photos you share with them via the Android Photo Picker. It arrives with the latest update to the Photo Picker, shipping out of the box in Android 17 QPR1 and rolling out to existing devices with the August 2026 Mainline update. For more information, please refer to [this post](https://www.reddit.com/r/androiddev/comments/1vuk8fr/introducing_the_location_metadata_api_for_the/).

# 🖱 More control over your input devices, health data, & network connectivity

Finally, here are some of the ways we’re improving support for input devices, health data, and network access in Android 17 QPR1:

* **Human interface device (HID) access**
* Using [new APIs](https://developer.android.com/reference/android/hardware/hid/package-summary), applications can now communicate directly with connected USB and Bluetooth peripherals without needing custom system drivers. This would allow accessory manufacturers to build companion apps that allow you to natively remap mouse buttons, program keyboard shortcuts, and more directly on your Android device. For your security, apps need your permission before they can access HIDs.
* **Improved USB access memory** 
* When an app wants to access a connected USB device, Android now gives you the option to choose to grant one-time access or always allow access.

https://preview.redd.it/w8pf71to2qph1.png?width=1333&format=png&auto=webp&s=60b4f4c7612b0f85a2d98e04d24e9d8672cfec33

* **Keyboard switching improvements**
* You can now hide the keyboard switcher button (the globe icon) from the navigation bar. Look for the “show the keyboard switcher button” toggle under Keyboard settings. Additionally, we’ve added a new “Keyboard” Quick Setting tile. Tapping it opens the keyboard switcher.

https://preview.redd.it/kcgd51to2qph1.png?width=1341&format=png&auto=webp&s=27accd934631d8875852d745ec4cb542a3533542

* **Time format enhancements**
* We've updated the time format settings, replacing the old 24-hour toggle with a 3-way selector (Automatic, 12-hour format, 24-hour format). The “automatic” option changes the time format based on app language.
* **Health Connect distance and calorie tracking**
* In Android 17 QPR1, Health Connect can now natively track distance and calories using your device’s step tracker. 
* **Improvements to the mobile data toggle**
* We heard your feedback about the mobile data toggle in Android 17, so we added an option to skip the warning that appears every time you try to turn on mobile data.

https://preview.redd.it/8uzz79uo2qph1.png?width=2048&format=png&auto=webp&s=e13c1fd8323e93f258c723ac5e04b505de9144b7

# 🪲 Bug fixes & security patches

Refer to the [Android Security Bulletin](https://source.android.com/docs/security/bulletin/2026/2026-09-01) for details on the security vulnerabilities addressed with this platform release.

\---------------------------

Look forward to more updates to Android 17 this year, including another quarterly release coming in Q4. Please continue to share your feedback about these Android releases to help us identify and fix issues, and make the platform even better!



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