Android 16's new blue dot: Spot when apps use your location
Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1, just out this week, adds a handy blue dot next to your battery icon on Pixel 6-10 phones.
Whenever any app taps into your location—whether you're using it or not—you'll see the blue dot pop up.
It's Google's latest move to make privacy more visible, following those green dots for camera and mic access in earlier updates.
Smarter privacy controls and what else is new
Now, the permissions menu is called "Microphone, Camera & Location," so you can easily check which apps are active and shut them down right from the menu.
If an app uses both your location and camera or mic, you'll see a combined icon.
Plus, Android 16 brings smarter location privacy for rural areas by making GPS less precise where it matters most.
The stable rollout of these features is expected by March 2026 for Pixel users.