Android 17 QPR1 beta 3 adds copy to clipboard and open in folder screenshot buttons

At a glance:

• Android 17 QPR1 Beta 3 introduces “copy to clipboard” and “open in folder” icons in the screenshot overlay.
• The buttons appear on the leaked Aluminium OS build and disappear long‑screenshot support on phones.
• Google has not confirmed which devices will receive the feature, but tablets and Aluminium OS‑powered laptops are the most likely targets.

New screenshot actions surface in beta 3

Google’s Android 17 QPR1 Beta 3, released alongside Wear OS 7 at I/O 2026, contains two previously hidden icons that appear after a screenshot is taken. The first icon, labeled “Copy to clipboard,” copies the bitmap directly to the system clipboard, allowing users to paste the image into any app that accepts image pastes – for example, messaging or note‑taking apps. The second icon, “Open in folder,” launches the built‑in Files app (not the separate Files by Google app) and displays the folder that stores the newly captured screenshot.

How the buttons work and what changes they trigger

When the “Copy to clipboard” button is enabled, the screenshot is stored in the clipboard until the user either pastes it or clears the clipboard manually. Keyboard apps that surface recent clipboard content, such as Gboard, can now suggest the screenshot as a quick‑paste option. The “Open in folder” button simply opens the default screenshots directory, giving users immediate file‑system access without navigating through the gallery.

Unexpected side effect: long‑screenshot option disappears

Activating both icons in the beta build has a noticeable side effect: the long‑screenshot (scrollable screenshot) option no longer appears after a capture. This suggests that the new buttons are not intended for typical phone use. Instead, they seem tailored for larger‑screen devices where clipboard‑based workflows and direct file access are more valuable.

Connection to Aluminium OS and speculation on target devices

The same two icons were observed in a leaked build of Aluminium OS, Google’s upcoming operating system for devices such as Google Books, laptops, and possibly high‑end tablets. The overlap strengthens the theory that the screenshot actions are being prepared for Aluminium OS‑powered hardware rather than the Pixel phone line. If that is the case, we may see the feature roll out first on devices like the Pixel 10 Pro Fold when it ships with Aluminium OS.

Google’s silence and what to watch for

As of now, Google has offered no official comment on the purpose or rollout schedule of the new screenshot buttons. Developers and power users will need to monitor future beta releases, changelogs, and any I/O follow‑up sessions for clarification. An APK teardown indicates the code paths are already merged, so the feature is likely to ship in a public release, albeit possibly limited to specific device classes.

Why the change matters for power users

For users who frequently capture and share visual information – such as designers, QA engineers, or remote collaborators – being able to copy a screenshot straight to the clipboard eliminates a step in the workflow. Direct folder access also speeds up batch editing or archival processes. If Google extends these actions to phones in a later update, it could reshape how Android handles quick image sharing across the ecosystem.