Google adds Quick Settings lock option in Android 17 QPR1 Beta 5

Google is testing a new security feature in Android 17 QPR1 Beta 5 that requires the device to be unlocked before most Quick Settings tiles can be used. The only exception is the flashlight, which remains accessible from the lock screen. The change is reflected in new code strings such as “Require unlock for Quick Settings” and suggests a toggle will appear in lock‑screen settings in a future release.

The beta also brings a range of other updates for Pixel smartphones, including new Gemini Intelligence branding, a “Don’t ask me again” prompt for the Mobile Data tile, and numerous bug fixes. Reported issues addressed cover game dashboard recording, camera app freezes, screen freeze on wake, download manager timeouts with VPNs, charging time estimates, Private Space UI crashes, system hangs during game downloads, widget picker problems, and WebView rendering regressions affecting games like Monopoly Go.