Android 16 Beta 2 brings a new feature that makes it easy to change system measurement units, temperature units, and other regional settings.
For a long time, Android has set default values for temperature and measurement units based on the user’s region or language. In the US, it uses Fahrenheit and the Imperial system. In most other countries, it uses Celsius and the Metric system.
Most of the time, Android automatically sets the right settings. But some users may want different units. For example, someone in the US might want Celsius, or someone in Europe might prefer Fahrenheit. Before, changing these settings was quite difficult. This is because Android didn’t have a simple menu for such changes.
That is changing with Android 16 Beta 2. Android 16 Beta 2 has introduced an easier way of doing this.
New “Regional Preferences” Menu
A new “Regional preferences” section is now available under the “Languages” page in the Settings app. This update allows users to manually change the following settings:
- Region: Choose a different regional setting.
- Temperature: Select between Celsius or Fahrenheit.
- Measurement system: Pick between Metric, Imperial (US), or Imperial (UK).
- First day of the week: Set Sunday, Monday, or any other day as the start of the week.
Android still sets default values based on your language and region. But now, with this new menu, users can easily change these settings anytime they want, giving them more control and flexibility.
Impact on Apps
Not all apps will automatically reflect these changes. Apps that use Android’s default settings should update accordingly. However, some apps have their own settings and might not be affected. For example:
- Google’s Pixel Weather app now shows temperatures in Celsius or Fahrenheit. It changes automatically based on the user’s settings. This makes the weather information accurate and personalized.
- Google Maps currently ignores changes to the measurement system.
Some apps might also provide direct links to the new menu. This makes it easier for users to update their preferences.
Conclusion
Android 16 Beta 2 makes regional customization much simpler. Users no longer have to rely on complicated workarounds to change their measurement or temperature units. While some apps may still require manual adjustments, this new feature improves the overall Android experience by giving users more control over their settings.