In summary:
- Tech Advisor reports that Android 17 leaks reveal Google plans to split Wi-Fi and mobile data controls into separate toggles, reversing an unpopular previous decision.
- The update may introduce a dual-pane interface separating Notification and Quick Settings menus, similar to iOS and existing Android manufacturer implementations.
- While this split UI will likely remain optional for smartphones, it appears mandatory for tablets and foldables, creating mixed user reactions.
Google is set to reverse an unpopular decision with the release of Android 17, but there’s some bad news to go with the good.
You could argue that the first developer preview of Android 17 is well overdue at this point, what with Android 16 having dropped in its earliest form back in November of 2024.
However, the tipster Mystic Leaks has supplied an early insight into two of the notable tweaks we can expect from Google’s next mobile OS. It’s fair to say we have mixed feelings about what’s being suggested.
Split data toggles
According to the tipster (who supplies screenshot evidence), Google is intent on rolling back an unpopular UI tweak it made some years back when it combined the Wi-Fi and mobile data controls into one Quick Settings toggle.
Android 17 will apparently split these two core functions up, so you’ll once again be able to toggle either mobile or Wi-Fi connectivity from the drop-down menu.
Good news for anyone who’s ever struggled with a spotty Wi-Fi signal. Which is everyone, surely.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Split notification menu
Less positive – though by no means terrible – is the confirmation that Google is looking to split the Notification and Quick Settings menus in two. Swipe down from the right corner for your toggles, and from the left for your incoming messages.
Opinion varies on the virtues of the two approaches. I prefer Google’s cleaner and more integrated action, but others like to keep things separated and spread out.
We’ve been hearing rumours of this for some time now. Google wouldn’t be the first Android manufacturer to follow Apple’s iOS lead either. Indeed, such a UI flourish is the most common approach among Android phone makers, with most Chinese manufacturers (including Xiaomi, Honor and Oppo) adopting the split, not to mention Samsung (see above image).
It seems Google (like most of the aforementioned manufacturers) will make this dual pane approach optional, which is good. However, it seems tablet and foldable users are set to be forced to use the split notification UI.
We’ll need to go hands-on with Google’s implementation before we make any judgements. Presumably the first Android 17 public beta is just around the corner.
Author: Jon Mundy, Contributor, Tech Advisor
Jon is a freelance journalist who got his start covering mobile games at the dawn of the App Store. He has since covered everything from smart home tech and laptops to food and culture, but always seems to return to his fascination with smartphones.