The latest Android 7.1.2 Nougat beta redesigns the data connection status bar icon in roaming as the indicator is now capable of displaying the type of your connection. Up until now, Android users in roaming wouldn’t be able to tell whether they’re connected to a 2G, 3G, LTE, or any other connection while they were in roaming, as the regular connection type indicator was replaced with an “R” signifying that they aren’t using their domestic network. However, as of the Android 7.1.2 Nougat build NPG47I, the “R” indicator was moved to the right of the connection icon so that the regular connection type indicators can now be displayed as usual. The latest Android Nougat beta build that adds this functionality to Google’s ubiquitous operating system started rolling out to beta testers earlier this week and should already be available for download worldwide to all users of compatible smartphones. The newly added roaming indicator works on both the Google Pixel and the Pixel XL, as well as compatible Nexus devices like the Nexus 6P, several users have confirmed.
Naturally, the fact that this is a beta-only feature doesn’t necessarily guarantee it will make its way to a stable build of Android Nougat in the future as Google may opt to scrap it in the meantime. However, seeing how the functionality seems to be relatively useful and comes with no apparent downsides, it’s likely that the Mountain View-based tech giant will opt to stick with it. There’s still no word on how long it may take until the new roaming indicator starts hitting stable builds of Nougat, but more information on the matter will hopefully follow soon. In the meantime, Android beta testers should note that the update that ships with this functionality is close to 200MB in size so they should make sure there’s enough free storage space on their device before they attempt to download it.
First screenshots of the new roaming connection indicator can be seen in the gallery below, courtesy of Android Police. In related news, Google recently released the first developer preview of Android O that can already be flashed to compatible devices.
