Google releases Android 17 update with high‑res audio codec and OS verification tool

On 16 June 2026 Google pushed Android 17 to Pixel 6 and newer phones. The update adds support for the LHDC v5 Bluetooth codec, enabling 24‑bit high‑resolution audio when paired with compatible earbuds such as the OnePlus Buds 4 or the latest Nothing Ear models. Users must enable the feature in developer options and use headphones that support LHDC v5.

A parallel development is the upcoming “OS Verification” feature, previewed in the Android 17 QPR1 Beta 5. The tool lets a user confirm that a device runs an official Android build by scanning a QR code with a trusted second device, which then accesses a web portal to compare boot hashes and other integrity data. This aims to combat unofficial or tampered firmware on Pixel phones.