Google recently hit a snag in its testing cycle when the Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3 update caused major issues for some Pixel users. Less than 24 hours after release, Google had to pull the update from its servers. Multiple users were reporting constant crashes and even endless bootloop cases. Now, Google is pushing out a quick fix: Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3.1.
This soft-bricking problem specifically affected Pixel devices that had the “Enable desktop experience features” developer option toggled on before the installation. Users who updated were trapped in a frustrating cycle, unable to boot their phones past the logo screen.
Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3.1: Who gets the fix and why
The Beta 3.1 patch is not for everyone. This specific build only targets Pixel devices that were stuck on the older QPR2 Beta 2 and never successfully installed the faulty Beta 3. This includes the entire Pixel 6 family (the 6, 6 Pro, and 6a), which had the Beta 3 rollout stopped entirely. For the Pixel 6 series, the update is larger. This is because it merges the original Beta 3 fixes with the new bootloop patch. For all other newer devices that are already running Beta 3 without issues, the update is a minor, small patch.
How to save a bootlooping Google Pixel
If your device is currently stuck in the bootloop cycle, simply installing Beta 3.1 won’t help immediately. Google recommends several options for recovery. The most straightforward solution, according to the company, is to simply let the system fail to boot a few times. Due to the Pixel’s A/B partition system, the phone should eventually revert to the last working operating system, which is Beta 2.
If self-recovery fails, users who had ADB (Android Debug Bridge) and USB debugging previously enabled can sideload the Beta 3.1 package to their device. This process, along with the automated rollback, will not wipe any data stored on your phone. However, if all else fails, users will need to boot their device into recovery mode and perform a factory data wipe. This is the only option that wipes user data, but it will guarantee the phone boots again. It will also mean deleting all the content from your internal storage, though.
Google did not publish new release notes for Beta 3.1. This confirms that the update’s sole purpose is fixing the critical bootloop problem. However, Pixel 6 series users moving from Beta 2 will receive all the general Beta 3 build bug fixes.
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