We review products independently, but we may earn affiliate commissions from buying links on this page. Terms of use.

Google Android Pie (9.0)

 & Max Eddy Former Lead Security Analyst

Our team tests, rates, and reviews more than 1,500 products each year to help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.

Our Expert
LOOK INSIDE PC LABS HOW WE TEST
65 EXPERTS
43 YEARS
41,500+ REVIEWS
The latest update to Android (9.0 Pie) brings smart quality-of-life improvements that really work, along with visual tweaks that freshen up an already solid mobile operating system.

Digital Wellbeing

Google is keeping its Digital Wellbeing features in Beta for now, but you can try them out with an app from the Play store.

App Timer Settings

From the Digital Wellbeing settings you can see how much time you spend in each app, and set limits for those apps.

Out of Time

When a timer runs out, you'll have to either change your settings or wait until tomorrow to use that app again.

Time to Wind Down

The Wind Down feature turns your screen black and white, giving you a visual cue to stop using your phone and draining the visual fun along with the color. The Night Light feature tints your screen amber, filtering out blue light and (allegedly) making it easier to fall asleep.

Newer Notifications

The last version of Android brought a total reworking to the guts of notifications, but Android Pie is more in your face. Notifications are now rounded and include new means to respond from directly within the notification window.

Jet set Gestures

In Android Pie a new gesture scheme could be enabled from the Settings. Once active, this replaced the familiar three buttons at the bottom of the screen with a single lozenge, and added some handy gestures.

Slide on the Side

The volume controls in Android Pie have been smartly moved to the right-hand side of the screen. Pressing the physical volume buttons will now adjust only the media volume by default, a vast improvement over the previous version. A handy ringer mute button is located just above the volume slider.

Spin Me Round

New in Android Pie is an opt-in for rotating apps to match the orientation of your phone. Shown here in the Chrome browser, the small square button in the lower right will rotate the screen to match your device.

What's In a Theme?

Android Pie includes a light and dark theme for system menus.

About Our Expert

Max Eddy

Max Eddy

Former Lead Security Analyst

My Experience

Since my start in 2008, I've covered a wide variety of topics from space missions to fax service reviews. At PCMag, much of my work focused on security and privacy services, as well as a video game or two. I also wrote the occasional security columns, focused on making information security practical for normal people. I helped organize the Ziff Davis Creators Guild union and served as its Unit Chair.

My Areas of Expertise

  • Technology, security, and privacy
  • Security and privacy software, including VPNs
  • Hardware multi-factor authentication keys
  • Open-source software and hardware
  • Election security and disinformation
  • Interpreting infosec research for a wider audience
  • Amateur Myst historian

Read full bio