Following widespread backlash from Android users, tech giant Google is reconsidering a controversial change it made to the Android interface: merging Wi-Fi and mobile data controls into a single Internet tile in the Quick Settings panel.
This change was introduced with Android 12, replacing separate buttons for managing Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity, allowing quick access to internet connectivity options with a single tap.
Although Google’s intention was to simplify network management, the combined tile received criticism for adding friction to routine actions.
Users and developers are frustrated that the unified Internet tile requires a secondary menu to open and manage individual connections, making the process slower and less convenient compared to the previous setup.
Initially there was the impression that Google would not reverse this decision. However, following the recent release of Android 16 QPR2, clues are surfacing that suggest a possible rollback.
LineageOS lead developer Michael Bestas spotted clues in the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) that Google might be planning to re-separate the Internet tile into different Wi-Fi and mobile data switches.
While this feature is not yet active in current beta versions of Android, its presence in the system code means that Google is seriously considering the modification.
The development could offer a more user-friendly Android experience, reviving the quick access that many Android users preferred before the Wi-Fi and mobile data buttons were merged.
