Pixel 11’s new Pixel Search app could be coming to older Pixels
You might still need to be on Android 17 QPR2 to use the app, which could be bad news for the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro.
Code discovered in the latest Pixel Search app release hints at the possibility of the enhanced search app being made available on older Pixel devices. The app, however, requires Android 17 QPR2 (Beta 5 or newer) to function properly. Android 17 QPR2 is projected to achieve its stable milestone in December 2026, which is when Pixel Search may start expanding to older Pixels.
Nonetheless, Pixel 6 and 6 Pro might be excluded from the app as they won't receive the Android 17 QPR2 update. Last month, we reported that it was feasible to sideload the Pixel Search app and utilize it on older Pixels, provided users are running a recent Android 17 QPR2 beta build. This enables users of older Pixels to enjoy the expanded search app that was initially introduced with the Pixel 11 series.
We have also found further evidence indicating that Google is indeed planning to officially broaden the Pixel Search app to older Pixels, potentially reaching back to the Pixel 6 series.
Written by urgent.news from Android Authority's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
