Android 16 Will Adopt Xiaomi HyperOS Notification Style

Android 15 has just been released in its open source form, but Pixel users will have to wait until next month to experience it. In the meantime, leaks have already emerged regarding Android 16, with the official beta expected to be released in February of next year. While Android 16, also known as Android “W,” is still a long way away from release, early hints from the Android 15 QPR1 beta offer insights into the upcoming changes.

Android 16 Leak: Notifications Will Get a Major Rework

One of the key changes that Android 16 could bring is the separation of notifications from the quick settings. While this concept has been implemented in certain Android custom skins and ROMs over the years, it hasn’t been part of native Android for a while. This potential update has raised interest as Google is considering reintroducing the feature in future versions, likely with Android 16.

Notifications and Quick Settings: A Functional Separation

Image Credit: Mishaal Rahman / AndroidAuthority

Currently, the notification panel on most Android devices contains both notifications and a few quick settings. When a user swipes down from the top of the screen, the notification panel appears next to the quick settings. A second swipe brings up the full quick settings menu, while a swipe back up closes the notifications and settings panel.

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Image Credit: Mishaal Rahman / AndroidAuthority

However, some Android-based systems, such as those using custom skins or certain ROMs, have chosen to separate these two functions. This change allows notifications and quick settings to operate independently, giving users more control over how they interact with their device’s interface. Google is apparently testing this separation right now, but it’s unclear whether this feature will be optional or a default setting in Android 16.

If you’ve been using Android for a few years, you’ll recognize this split feature. In earlier versions, users would swipe down to view notifications, then swipe sideways to access quick settings. This design offered a cleaner separation between notifications and system controls.

A Classic Trick Returns

For those familiar with Android, swiping down with two fingers to directly access the quick settings is a well-known feature. This shortcut, which has been around for many years, continues to be present in certain Android skins, such as ColorOS. Even if they do not split the notifications and quick settings by default.

However, the new Android notification panel can complicate matters a bit. While separating notifications from quick settings gives each a dedicated space, accessing quick settings can require extra steps. For example, users may need to swipe down with two fingers (which can be difficult when using the phone with one hand), or swipe down like normal and then swipe sideways to access quick settings.

The feature is still in its early stages, so the final interface remains unclear. For now, there’s no indication of a sideways swipe to switch between notifications and quick settings, which could make it difficult for some users to find the quick settings panel. As with any beta release, there are still months of refinement ahead before this change becomes official, but it promises to be one of the most interesting updates to Android’s core UI.

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