2 min read
Google appears to be reconsidering one of its most controversial Android interface changes: the decision to merge Wi-Fi and mobile data controls into a single Internet tile within the Quick Settings panel. Introduced with Android 12, the combined tile replaced the long-standing separate toggles that allowed users to manage Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity with a single tap.
While the change was intended to simplify network management and create a more intuitive interface, it ultimately added friction to routine actions, drawing sustained criticism from both users and developers who relied on faster access to connectivity controls.
Before Android 12, the Quick Settings panel offered distinct tiles for Wi-Fi and mobile data, enabling instant toggling without additional steps. The shift to a unified Internet tile required users to open a secondary menu to manage individual connections, a workflow many long-time Android users found slower and less practical.
For quite some time, it seemed like Google had no intention of reversing this change. But after the recent release of Android 16 QPR2 earlier this month, some intriguing hints have come to light. Michael Bestas, one of the lead developers at LineageOS, found some clues in the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) that indicate Google might be planning to break the Internet tile into distinct Wi-Fi and mobile data tiles.
Although the feature is not yet active in current beta builds, its appearance in system code suggests that Google is seriously evaluating the adjustment rather than dismissing it outright.
