Conversations

When you view notifications, you'll see a new Conversations section, just for message apps:

• You’ll see notification counts in the preview if you have multiple notifications in the same conversation.
• You can mark conversations as Priority to keep them on top of the list and using a bubble. The contact’s photo will show on the lock screen and in your notifications.

Bubbles

Bubbles keep your conversations accessible by floating over any app you’re using:

• Drag the bubble to move it around the screen.
• Read and send messages from the bubble without opening the app.
• You can turn bubbles off from any conversation notification.

One-time permissions

Keep closer control of your most sensitive permissions, like camera and mic access, by granting an app permission for one-time use only. The next time the app wants to access the feature, you’ll be asked to again grant permission.

Auto-reset permissions

If you haven’t used an app for an extended period of time, your phone will auto-reset all permissions associated with that app and will notify you.

• You can re-grant the app permissions the next time you open the app.
• The option to grant permission all the time is no longer available for many apps.
• If an app requests permission multiple times and you repeatedly deny it, the app will be blocked from requesting the permission again.

Other improvements

• Notification history now lets you access notifications you accidentally swiped away.
• You can now hide Silent notifications from the unexpanded status bar view, and see them only when it’s expanded.

Quick settings and media controls

Media controls are now in quick settings, instead of in your notifications, for easier access:

• From media controls, you can now switch between the phone’s speaker and other connected devices.
• You can now swipe away the media controls if you don’t want to see them when you've stopped listening to music.

New features in Power menu

When you press & hold the Power button, you'll see the Power menu. This menu now includes:

• Toggles, sliders, live video streaming, and a temperature control panel to control your connected smart home devices.
• Quick access to Google Wallet.
• The Screenshot option has moved from this menu to Recent apps, for easier access.

Changes to Recent apps

• You can now take screenshots from your list of recent apps.
• Suggested apps no longer appear in your recent apps. They're at the bottom of your home screen.

Custom dark mode scheduling

• You can now schedule Dark theme to turn on based on custom times or the sunset.
• If you turned on Dark theme in Settings, you can turn it off within individual apps that support light/dark modes.

Screen recorder

Capture a video of your screen while you're using it:

• Start recording conveniently from quick settings or Gametime when you're playing a game.
• Use the selfie camera to capture audio or video of yourself narrating while you record.

Learn more.

Quick Share

Quick Share improves the sharing ecosystem. Now you can share files and links easily and securely with Android phones near yours, without revealing contact information:

• No internet connection required.
• Turn sharing on or off in quick settings.

Learn more.

Do Not Disturb mode

When you're adjusting these settings:

• You can allow selected people to call or, separately, text you.
• You can allow selected apps to send notifications when Do Not Disturb is on.

Learn more.

When Do Not Disturb is on, both audio and vibration will be muted for system-generated sounds like alarms or reminders.

Other system improvements

• Now any smartphone with Android 11 and 5GHz Wi-Fi can use Android Auto wirelessly.
• You can now customize back gesture sensitivity on both sides of the screen, making it easier to tap menus and use gestures.
• When you turn on airplane mode, Bluetooth now stays connected and bluetooth headphones won’t disconnect.
• You can get app suggestions and pin suggested apps at the bottom of your home screen.
• Accessibility features now have a shortcut to start them from the lock screen.