Joe Maring / Android Authority

TL;DR

• Google has released the January 2026 Android Canary build.
• We’ve found evidence that this software could bring Quick Share/AirDrop integration to Pixel 9 phones.
• We also spotted a few other visual changes compared to previous releases.

Google regularly offers Android Canary builds, allowing users to try new features and changes before they’re broadly released. Google launched the December 2025 Android Canary build a month ago, and it’s wasting no time in launching its first build of 2026.

The company just released the January 2026 Android Canary build, dubbed Android Canary 2601. This build has the version number ZP11.251212.007.

Android Authority contributor AssembleDebug also uncovered a couple of other changes in this Android Canary build. For starters, we now have a more rounded brightness icon in the brightness slider. Furthermore, the system settings menu now has distinct categories. The Circle to Search toggle is also accessible from this system settings menu, as opposed to tapping Settings > System > Navigation mode.

The January 2026 Canary build is currently available on the Pixel 6a and newer, the Pixel 6 series and higher, the Pixel Fold and newer, the Pixel Tablet, and GSI. You’ll receive a notification to update over-the-air if you have a previous Canary build. Otherwise, you’ll need to use the Android Flash Tool to get access on your Pixel device.

Again, it’s worth reiterating that Android Canary builds aren’t meant for your primary smartphone. These builds are early previews and typically contain bugs and/or otherwise unfinished features. So if you really want to give this a try, you should use a secondary phone and back up your data first.

Follow

Thank you for being part of our community. Read our Comment Policy before posting.