How to Enable Material 3 Expressive on Android 16 (Easy Guide)

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If you have seen screenshots of the new Android look with rounder buttons, bolder colours and a wavy volume slider, you are probably wondering how to get it on your own phone. That design is called Material 3 Expressive, and it is the biggest visual change Google has made to Android in years.

Here is the part most blogs skip: there is no single switch called "Material 3 Expressive" anywhere in your settings. You get it by being on the right software version. In this guide I will show you exactly how to check, how to update, and what to do if you are on a phone brand that does things differently, which is the case for a lot of us in Nigeria.

What is Material 3 Expressive?

Material 3 Expressive is Google's latest design language for Android. Google announced it at I/O in May 2025, and it changes how the whole system looks and feels. Think larger and more rounded buttons, stronger colour use, smoother animations, and a cleaner way of laying out settings and quick controls.

The changes you will notice first include:

• Redesigned Quick Settings: tiles can be resized, and you can fit up to 16 small tiles on a page instead of 8.
• New volume and brightness sliders: the volume slider now shows a small waveform when something is playing.
• Colourful Settings app: each menu now has its own coloured icon, so it is easier to find things.
• Cleaner home screen: the At a Glance widget shrinks, which gives you an extra row of app icons.
• Blur effects: you will see soft blurring in the notification shade and parts of the launcher.

Which Android version do you need?

This is where many people get confused. Android 16 first reached Pixel phones in June 2025, but that first release did not include the Material 3 Expressive redesign. Google held it back for the first quarterly update, called Android 16 QPR1. That update started rolling out to Pixel phones on 3 September 2025.

So the real requirement is Android 16 QPR1 or newer, not just Android 16. If your phone says Android 16 but still looks like the old design, you are most likely on the original June build.

Which phones can get it?

The official Material 3 Expressive update from Google is for Pixel phones. Android 16 QPR1 supports these devices:

• Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 6a
• Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 7a
• Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 8a
• Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Pixel 9a
• Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet

The Pixel 10 series already came with it. If you are using a Pixel 5 or older, it will not get this update because those phones have reached the end of their update support.

How to enable Material 3 Expressive on a Pixel (stable update)

This is the safest method and the one I recommend for most people. Follow these steps:

1. Connect your phone to Wi-Fi. The update is large, so please do not use mobile data unless you have a big bundle to spare.
2. Make sure your battery is above 50 percent, or plug in your charger.
3. Open Settings.
4. Scroll down and tap System.
5. Tap System update.
6. Tap Check for update.
7. If Android 16 QPR1 or a newer update shows, tap Download and install.
8. When it finishes, tap Restart now.

After the restart, pull down your notification shade and open Quick Settings. If you see the new layout with the rounded tiles and the new sliders, you are done. Updates sometimes arrive in waves, so if you do not see it yet, check again in a day or two.

Since you are about to update, it is a good idea to back up your important files first. If you ever need a refresher on moving your data safely, read our guide on how to transfer data from an old Android phone to a new phone. The same backup habits apply here.

How to get it early through the Android Beta Program

If your Pixel has not received the update and you cannot wait, Google runs a beta program where you can try upcoming Android builds. Note that this route carries more risk, so read the warning below before you start.

1. On your Pixel, open a browser and go to google.com/android/beta.
2. Sign in with the Google account on your phone.
3. Scroll to Your eligible devices and tap Opt in under your Pixel.
4. Accept the terms.
5. Go to Settings > System > System update and tap Check for update.
6. Download and install the beta build, then restart.

Important warning: beta builds can have bugs, battery drain and apps that misbehave. Also, leaving the beta program to return to the stable version can require a full data wipe in some cases. If this phone is your only phone and you use it for work, banking apps or mobile money, skip the beta and wait for the stable update.

Update your Google apps too

The system update is only half the story. Google has also been redesigning its own apps with Material 3 Expressive, and these come through the Play Store, not through system updates. To make sure your apps are current:

1. Open the Play Store.
2. Tap your profile picture at the top right.
3. Tap Manage apps and device.
4. Tap Update all.

Apps like Gmail, Google Keep, Google Phone and Google Wallet have all received the new look at different times, so keep checking. If you want more good apps to try on your updated phone, have a look at our list of rare and powerful Android apps you should install.

What if you are not using a Pixel?

This is the big question for many readers. Most phones sold in Nigeria are from Samsung, Tecno, Infinix, itel, Xiaomi and Oppo. These brands run their own custom skins on top of Android, such as One UI, HiOS, XOS and HyperOS.

The Material 3 Expressive system redesign in Android 16 QPR1 is built for Pixel phones. Other brands decide for themselves how much of Google's new design they adopt, and they usually apply their own look instead. That means:

• You cannot force the full Material 3 Expressive system look on a non-Pixel phone through a hidden setting.
• Google's own apps from the Play Store can still show the new design on any phone, once you update them.
• Your brand may add some of the new ideas in its own software updates, so check Settings > System update (or Software update) from time to time.

I would advise you to be careful with random videos and websites that promise a magic trick to unlock this design on any phone. Some of those require installing unknown APK files, and that is a quick way to expose your phone to malware. Stick to official updates and the Play Store.

Tips to get the best from the new look

Once you are on the new design, spend five minutes setting things up properly:

• Edit Quick Settings: open the shade, tap the edit icon and resize the tiles you use most. Keep the big tiles for Wi-Fi, mobile data and Bluetooth, and shrink the rest.
• Try different wallpapers and colours: long-press your home screen, open Wallpaper & style, and test colour palettes. The new design makes colour changes much more visible.
• Turn on themed icons: in the same menu, enable themed icons so your app icons match your colour choice.
• Check dark theme: dark mode looks very good with the new design and saves some battery on OLED screens.

Common problems and quick fixes

The update does not show up. Check that your phone is on a stable internet connection, restart it, and tap Check for update again. Rollouts happen in stages, so patience helps.

You are on Android 16 but the design looks old. You are likely on the original June 2025 release. Look for a newer update in System update.

The update fails or gets stuck. Free up some storage, restart, and try again on Wi-Fi. Phones with very low storage often fail to install large updates.

Battery drains faster after updating. This is common for the first day or two as the system re-indexes apps. If it continues beyond a few days, check Settings > Battery for any app misbehaving.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a setting to turn Material 3 Expressive on or off?
No. It comes as part of the system update, so you enable it by installing Android 16 QPR1 or newer.

Will it work on Android 15?
The full system redesign is part of Android 16. Some Google apps may show the new look on older versions after updating from the Play Store.

Is it safe to install?
The stable update from Google is safe. The beta program carries more risk, so use it only if you understand the trade-offs.

Does it cost data?
The update itself is a large download, so use Wi-Fi where possible.

Final thoughts

Getting Material 3 Expressive comes down to one thing: being on Android 16 QPR1 or newer on a supported Pixel. Check System update, install the latest build, update your Google apps, and then take a few minutes to customise your Quick Settings and colours. If you are on a Samsung, Tecno or Infinix phone, keep an eye on your brand's updates and avoid shady shortcuts.

Have you updated yet? Tell me in the comments which phone you are using and what you think of the new look. If this guide helped you, share it with a friend who is still wondering why their Android looks different from the screenshots.