Tune into 10+ new free TV channels.

November 2023 | Entertainment & media

New Free channels from Google TV

It’s easier to access the shows you love, or find new Favourites, with 10+ new free channels now available from Google TV. Explore new movie, sports, and game show channels, and over 100 other free channels without juggling additional subscriptions.

Free TV channels from Google TV are available in the U.S. only.

React bigger to light up conversations in new ways.

November 2023 | Personalisation

New Reaction Effects in Google Messages (beta)

Now, when you react to a message, you’ll spark an animated emoji that brings your whole screen to life – so you can light up conversations 🥳 in new ways.

Animations need to be turned on in settings.

Control multiple lights at once from your smartwatch.

November 2023 | Connectivity

New Light group controls on Google Home for Wear OS watches

Set the mood in an instant by controlling light groups from your smartwatch. Instead of adjusting individual lights, save time by changing all the lights in a room for dinner, focus time and everything in between.

Requires internet, Wi-Fi and compatible smart home devices. Available on Wear OS 3+.

Set your Google Home status to Home or Away without ever having to get out your phone.

November 2023 | Connectivity

New Home or Away mode on Google Home for Wear OS

Make sure your smart home devices are doing what you need, when you need it. Now you can easily set your Google Home status to Home or Away from your wrist – so if you’re out, you know your cameras are on, doors are locked, and lights are switched off.

Requires internet, Wi-Fi and compatible smart home devices. Available on Wear OS 3+.

Level-up your videos with new editing tools.

November 2023 | Entertainment & media

New YouTube Create (beta)

With YouTube Create (beta), you can create content your followers will love – all from the palm of your hand. Edit videos, automatically add captions, clean up audio, and access royalty-free music and sound effects.

Available on Android 8+ and in select countries only. Requires at least 4GB of RAM.

Now you can show how you are feeling 😂 when you send a voice message.

November 2023 | Personalisation

New Voice Moods in Google Messages (beta)

Set the mood of your voice messages by adding a background and emoji theme. Whether you’re laughing 😂 or feeling loved 🥰, with Voice Moods your friends can hear and see how you’re feeling.

Make daily tasks easier on your smartwatch using just your voice.

November 2023 | Productivity

New Assistant Routines for Wear OS

Coming soon, get more done while on the go with Wear OS. Start a custom Assistant Routine for any time of day from your smartwatch. Try saying, “Hey Google, commuting to work” and you can navigate to work, check the weather, and more.

Android phone required for set up. Internet connection required. Rolling out soon to Wear OS 3+. Google Assistant is not available in certain languages and countries. Pre-set up is required.

Stay protected when installing new apps, wherever they come from.

November 2023 | Privacy and security

New Real-time scanning for emerging threats

Protect your device from new, malicious apps, wherever they come from. If you try to install an app from outside Google Play, Google Play Protect will offer a code-level scan to let you know if the app is potentially harmful or that it looks safe to install.

May not be available in all countries.

Easily connect to emergency services or loved ones when you need help.

November 2023 | Privacy and security

New Personal Safety app

Find what you need in an emergency, fast. The Personal Safety app can help you easily connect to emergency services or loved ones when you need help by sharing your live location, recording your surroundings, or calling 111.

The Personal Safety app must be installed and features may need to be manually enabled. For certain features, you may need to turn on location services, permissions, cellular connectivity and/or Wi-Fi. Available on Android 12+.

Securely backup your Locked Folder.

November 2023 | Privacy and security

New Cloud backup for Locked Folder

Keep your sensitive photos accessible to you – and private from everyone else. Now you can securely access password-protected content across all your devices with cloud backup for Locked Folder in Google Photos.

Communicate in a couple of taps with emoji reactions in Gmail.

November 2023 | Personalisation

New Emoji reactions in Gmail

For when 😂 says it all – now you can react to emails with an emoji in Gmail. Save time and express yourself more quickly and creatively.

Read and respond to emails on-the-go from your smartwatch.

November 2023 | Connectivity

New Gmail for Wear OS

Stay productive when you’re out and about. With the new Gmail app for Wear OS, now you can read and respond to emails and manage your inbox from your smartwatch.

Android phone required for set up. Internet connection required. Available on Wear OS 3+.

Keep your Google Calendar organised right from your smartwatch.

November 2023 | Connectivity

New Google Calendar for Wear OS

It’s easier to stay organised on-the-go with the new Google Calendar app on your smartwatch. Now you can manage your schedule, and view and RSVP to events and appointments — right from your smartwatch.

Android phone required for set up. Internet connection required. Available on Wear OS 3+.

Showcase special moments by easily creating a Highlight video.

November 2023 | Personalisation

New Highlight video in Google Photos

Create new highlight videos easily in Google Photos. Simply search the people, places or activities you want to feature and Google Photos will do the heavy lifting to curate your special moments in one video.

Make check out fun.

February 2023 | Entertainment and media

Tap to pay animations

Use Google Wallet and discover fun new tap to pay animations confirming your transactions.

Tap to pay available on devices using Android 6+.

Take notes from your smartwatch.

February 2023 | Connectivity

Google Keep complications for Wear OS

Create notes and to-do lists on Google Keep with a simple tap on the new shortcuts available on your watch face.

Requires Google Account, download and Wear OS 3+.

Mix and match your way.

February 2023 | Personalisation

Emoji Kitchen stickers

Make some 📣 noise 📣 for your favourite team (just in time for March Madness 🏀) or express your spring colours 💐 🌼 – Emoji Kitchen lets you remix and mash up your favourite emoji and share them as stickers via Gboard.

Works with compatible emojis. May require download. Device must have Gboard installed to use Emoji Kitchen.

Browse the web in a bigger way.

February 2023 | Accessibility

Page zoom on Chrome for Android

Easily increase text and content size on Chrome for Android by up to 300% according to your vision preferences and needs while still preserving the page layout. Turn it on in your Chrome accessibility settings.

Available on Android 7+.

The widget that keeps you organised.

February 2023 | Productivity

Google Keep single-note widget

Pin notes, tick off to-do lists, view reminders and customise the colours and images from your Home screen – all from the new Google Keep widget on Android phones and tablets.

Let emoji do the talking.

February 2023 | Personalisation

React with any emoji with Messages

Use any emoji as a reaction to messages and really express yourself.

Works on compatible devices.

See your memories in a whole new light.

February 2023 | Entertainment and media

Photos Memories

Watch your special photo moments be automatically brought to life with music, cinematics and scrapbook-style creations that you can share with just one tap.

Pair with Chromebook in one tap.

February 2023 | Connectivity

Fast Pair on Chromebook

Fast Pair connects new Bluetooth headphones to your Chromebook with just one tap. And if you’ve already set up your headphones with an Android phone, your Chromebook will automatically connect them too.

Android and Fast Pair compatible headphones only. Bluetooth must be on and in range for both devices.

Widgets. Right at home.

June 2023 | Productivity

Widgets | Google TV, Finance and News

Personalise your phone or tablet home screen with entertainment suggestions from Google TV, stock tracking from Google Finance and curated daily headlines from Google News.

Google TV app only available in select countries. Requires being signed into a Google Account.

Ignite a new passion 📚

June 2023 | Entertainment and media

Reading Practice

Reading Practice helps new readers improve vocabulary and comprehension skills using their Android phones and tablets with thousands of compatible children's ebooks available – including options at no charge.

Reading Practice is available on the Google Play Books app 8.1+ on Android phones and tablets. Books may require download and purchase.

Dive into new stickers.

June 2023 | Personalisation

Dive into new stickers.

Emoji Kitchen lets you remix your favourite emoji into stickers for Gboard. Now you can take a bite 🦈 of new aquatic-themed 🐬 🐋 emoji combinations to bring even the most subtle conversations to life.

Works with compatible emoji. May require download.

Stay ahead of dark web data leaks.

June 2023 | Privacy and security

Stay ahead of dark web data leaks

Scan to see if your Gmail address has been leaked on the dark web and get guidance on how to protect yourself. Now available for most Google Accounts in the US

Available to personal Google Accounts in the US and excludes any supervised Google Accounts.

Wireless sharing with your PC, made easy.

June 2023 | Connectivity

Quick Share beta for Windows

Seamlessly share photos, videos and more between your Android devices and Windows PCs. Choose to share with everyone, selected contacts or your own devices to keep your files secure.

Requires both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled on both devices.

Playlists, now with Shorts.

June 2023 | Entertainment and media

Shorts in YouTube playlists

Add Shorts to your YouTube playlists for even more ways to save and curate content to watch over and over again.

Set up Matter-enabled devices in just a few taps.

June 2023 | Connectivity

Fast Pair for Matter

Quickly detect and securely set up any Matter-enabled device from your Android phone or tablet. Android detects new, compatible smart home devices (from any brand) nearby and prompts you to easily connect.

Requires mobile phone or tablet running Android 8.1+, Google Account, Google Home app, Matter-enabled Google hub device, working Wi-Fi and Bluetooth low energy (4.2) or higher.

Visual content is now more accessible.

September 2023 | Accessibility

Image Q&A on Lookout

Image Q&A uses AI to generate image descriptions and answer follow-up questions that you can ask using your voice or typing. Use it on everything from images on social media to your photo gallery.

Available on Android 8+ and with at least 1 GB+. Available in English in the US, UK and Canada. Results may vary depending on visual matches.

Start your day with a little motivation.

September 2023 | Productivity

Activity and sleep data in personal routines

You can now hear your Fitbit or Google Fit data – like hours slept, sleep start time and step count – in your personal routines to help you stay on top of your wellness goals. Learn how to set it up

Sequences shortened and simulated. Available on Android 6+.

What you need, when you need it.

September 2023 | Productivity

Assistant At a Glance widget

The AI powered Assistant At a Glance widget intuitively surfaces helpful information on your home screen. Get high-precision weather alerts, dynamic travel updates and upcoming event reminders.

Available on Android 9+.

Conference calls in the car.

September 2023 | Connectivity

New communication apps from Android Auto

Coming soon you will be able to stay connected from your car with Zoom and Webex by Cisco on Android Auto.

This feature is beginning to roll out and as part of that process it may not be available for all Android Auto users immediately at launch. Internet connection, phone with Android 11+ and a car compatible with Android Auto required.

Keep the conversation going.

September 2023 | Connectivity

WhatsApp for Wear OS

With WhatsApp now available on your Wear OS smartwatch, you can securely send and receive messages, answer calls and keep up with chats without having to get out your phone.

Android phone required for set up. Internet connection required. Available on Wear OS 3+.

Place info on your wrist.

September 2023 | Connectivity

Google Maps place info on Wear OS

Find new places, place information and directions on your smartwatch.

Android phone required for set up. Internet connection required. Available on Wear OS 3+.

Access everyday passes.

September 2023 | Connectivity

Google Wallet pass photo import

Digitise and store your everyday tickets and passes for easy access.

Join in on the fun.

September 2023 | Entertainment and media

Effects on YouTube Shorts

Use effects to add some flair to the people or places in your frame.

Available on Android 6+.

Your memories, in one place.

September 2023 | Personalisation

Memories view in Google Photos

AI curation organises your photos so that you can revisit special moments.

Keep your RCS chats private.

September 2023 | Privacy and security

End-to-end encryption for group conversations

All messages are now end-to-end encrypted, including group chats.

End-to-end encryption is available only when RCS is turned on in Messages by Google. Requires Android OS version 8+.

Translate emails right from the Gmail mobile app.

September 2023 | Productivity

Translate in Gmail

When Gmail detects that you’ve received an email in a foreign language, you’ll be prompted to translate it in to your preferred language, right from the mobile app.

Google Account required.

Fewer distractions on calls.

September 2023 | Productivity

Meet On-the-Go mode

Easily take calls on the go with a simplified mobile experience.

Google Meet is a trademark of Google LLC. Google Account and Internet connection required. The example shown is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent all possible scenarios.

Stay safe on the go.

September 2023 | Privacy and security

Unknown tracker alerts

Your Android device can now automatically detect and notify you of unfamiliar tracking devices (like Bluetooth tracker tags) moving with you, so that you can take action to locate and disable them.

Detection works with compatible trackers. Location Services and Bluetooth may need to be turned on. Requires data service. Available on Android 6+ in all regions and languages that Android supports.

Early earthquake warnings.

September 2023 | Privacy and security

Android Earthquake Alerts System

React faster with early earthquake alerts, available in 95+ countries.

Phone feature may not detect all events and is not a public warning system. Internet connection required. Alerts must be enabled. Notifications may be sent for earthquakes of 4.5 magnitude and above. For regional availability, visit the Help Center

Control multiple lights at once from your smartwatch.

November 2023 | Connectivity

New Light group controls on Google Home for Wear OS watches

Set the mood in an instant by controlling light groups from your smartwatch. Instead of adjusting individual lights, save time by changing all the lights in a room for dinner, focus time, and everything in between.

Requires internet, Wi-Fi and compatible smart home devices. Available on Wear OS 3+.

Make daily tasks easier on your smartwatch using just your voice.

November 2023 | Productivity

New Assistant Routines for Wear OS

Coming soon, get more done while on the go with Wear OS. Start a custom Assistant Routine for any time of day from your smartwatch. Try saying, “Hey Google, commuting to work” and you can navigate to work, check the weather, and more.

Android phone required for set up. Internet connection required. Rolling out soon to Wear OS 3+. Google Assistant is not available in certain languages and countries. Pre-set up is required.

Level-up your videos with new editing tools.

November 2023 | Entertainment & media

New YouTube Create (beta)

With YouTube Create (beta), you can create content your followers will love – all from the palm of your hand. Edit videos, automatically add captions, clean up audio, and access royalty-free music and sound effects.

Available on Android 8+ and in select countries only. Requires at least 4GB of RAM.

Set your Google Home status to Home or Away without ever having to get out your phone.

November 2023 | Connectivity

New Home or Away mode on Google Home for Wear OS

Make sure your smart home devices are doing what you need, when you need it. Now you can easily set your Google Home status to Home or Away from your wrist – so if you’re out, you know your cameras are on, doors are locked, and lights are switched off.

Requires internet, Wi-Fi, and compatible smart home devices. Available on Wear OS 3+.

Set your Google Home status to Home or Away without ever having to get out your phone.

November 2023 | Connectivity

New Home & Away mode on Google Home for Wear OS

Make sure your smart home devices are doing what you need, when you need it. Now you can easily set your Google Home status to Home or Away from your wrist – so if you’re out, you know your cameras are on, doors are locked, and lights are switched off.

Requires internet, Wi-Fi, and compatible smart home devices. Available on Wear OS 3+.

Set your Google Home status to Home or Away without ever having to get out your phone.

November 2023 | Connectivity

New Home & Away mode on Google Home for Wear OS

Make sure your smart home devices are doing what you need, when you need it. Now you can easily set your Google Home status to Home or Away from your wrist – so if you’re out, you know your cameras are on, doors are locked, and lights are switched off.

Requires internet, Wi-Fi, and compatible smart home devices. Available on Wear OS 3+.

November 2023 | Accessibility

New TalkBack

Images with missing or inaccurate alt text or captions are now more accessible to blind and low-vision communities. TalkBack uses AI to create image descriptions and reads them aloud — whether it’s a photo you just took, an image from apps or social media or picture messages from friends.

Description of images may vary. Available on Android 11+ and in English only.

Control multiple lights at once from your smartwatch.

November 2023 | Connectivity

New Light group controls on Google Home for Wear OS watches

Set the mood in an instant by controlling light groups from your smartwatch. Instead of adjusting individual lights, save time by changing all the lights in a room for dinner, focus time, and everything in between.

Requires internet, Wi-Fi, and compatible smart home devices. Available on Wear OS 3+.

Make daily tasks easier on your smartwatch using just your voice.

November 2023 | Productivity

New Assistant Routines for Wear OS

Coming soon, get more done while on the go with Wear OS. Start a custom Assistant Routine for any time of day from your smartwatch. Try saying, “Hey Google, commuting to work” and you can navigate to work, check the weather, and more.

Android phone required for set up. Internet connection required. Rolling out soon to Wear OS 3+. Google Assistant is not available in certain languages and countries. Pre-set up is required.