Google silently erases pixel feature with march update

Google has rolled out the stable android 16 QPR3 update, also known as the March 2026 Pixel update, to Pixel phones worldwide. Typically, this update brings new features along with some tweaks and changes. Unfortunately, the latest update has silently removed a useful feature from the Recent apps screen: the ability to save images directly from the pop-up menu.

Feature gone, workarounds remain

Previously, when you long-pressed an image in the Recents screen, a pop-up menu would appear with options to copy, share, edit, and save the image. The 'Save' option allowed for quick image storage to the device's Photos app. However, with the March update, the 'Save' option has vanished from this menu, leaving only 'Copy,' 'Share,' and 'Edit.'

While users can still save images to Photos by selecting 'Share' and searching for 'upload to Photos,' this method is clunkier than the previous direct save option. Additionally, the Google Lens shortcut, which allowed for image search from the Recents screen, is also gone but can be accessed through the 'Share' menu or the Circle to Search feature.

For many, this change may not be noticeable, as not everyone utilized these features. Nevertheless, for those who frequently employed them, the update has removed a convenient way to save and search images from the Recents screen. The exact reasoning behind this decision remains unclear.