Android 17 gets a smarter media switcher, and it already feels better than the old carousel

Source: Android Authority

TL;DR

• Android 17 QPR1 Beta 3 introduces a new media app switcher UI in notifications and on the lock screen.
• The old carousel‑style layout is replaced by a card‑based layout.
• In addition to swiping, users can tap cards to switch between media apps.

New Media Switcher UI in Android 17 QPR1 Beta 3

Google released Android 17 QPR1 Beta 3 as a surprise announcement at I/O 2026. Among the many new features in Android 17 is a relatively small yet noteworthy change to the media controls.

Media controls in Android 17 now use a card‑based UI. While Android 16 let users switch between multiple media apps by swiping through a carousel, the latest beta minimizes other media apps into tiny cards on the sides of the currently playing app.

Why the Change Matters

• Visibility – The card layout makes it clearer that users can switch between media apps.
• Tap instead of swipe – Tapping a card to switch apps is often easier than swiping, especially since swipe gestures are also used to control the seek bar. Swiping between cards remains possible.
• Ordering – Media apps are still ordered by importance: the locally playing media appears first, followed by media on remote devices and past resumable sessions.

Practical Benefits

Previously, swiping through the carousel sometimes caused accidental forward‑skipping of the current track. The new pill‑style layout reduces the likelihood of such mishaps.

Potential Concerns

Some users worry that the media controls become too small with two additional “pill” cards on the sides. Allowing users to adjust the size of the media controls could address this issue.