Google is rolling out the Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1 update to compatible Pixel devices, and key features of the build include a new privacy-related feature: a location indicator (via Android Authority).
Similar to how Android devices display a pill-shaped icon at the top of the screen when an app or service uses the microphone or camera, Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1 includes a new blue location indicator. It appears in the status bar when an app uses your device’s location services.
Unlike the previous status bar icon, the new location icon shows which apps are accessing your device’s location at any given time. All you have to do is press the icon at the top right of the screen to see the names of the apps using the service either in the foreground or in the background (in a dialog box).
The dialog box is now titled “Microphone, Camera, and Location.” In addition to listing the app that is currently using a privacy permission, Close this app and Manage access options are also available. You also get buttons to view recent accesses and return to the quick settings section.
A clearer, more actionable privacy signal
When multiple permissions are accessed (e.g. camera, microphone, and location), the privacy indicator turns green again (but displays the corresponding icon or symbol). However, once you tap on the privacy indicator, the operating system will show you the names of the apps and the permissions they are currently using (as shown in the screenshot above).
Adding a more versatile permission access indicator is crucial for everyday use, as location data is some of the most sensitive information that an Android device (or any smartphone for that matter) handles. While Android has traditionally flagged apps that frequently access location, this update provides actionable information in real time.
For everyday users, the Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1 updates provide a new way to see exactly which app is tracking their location exactly when it happens.
If you’ve ever wondered when a weather or social media app accesses your location or tracks your movements, you should be able to when Google releases Android 16 QPR3 as a stable update, sometime in early 2026.
Currently, the new location display is only available on eligible Pixel phones through Google’s beta program. In the future, Google’s privacy dashboard could also provide a historical summary of permissions granted to apps (particularly location permissions).
Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1 also includes a number of new Wi-Fi controls that give users more granular control over wireless network sharing.
