Remember when Android 12 shook things up by ditching the separate Wi-Fi and mobile data toggles in the Quick Settings panel? I do. Instead, we got the "Internet" tile, which, while offering more options, added an extra step for something as simple as turning Wi-Fi on or off. It seems like Google might be listening to the grumbles, though.

Before Android 12, it was so easy. A quick swipe down, tap, and you were done. The unified Internet tile wasn't the end of the world, of course, but it definitely felt like a step backward for those of us who like to manage our connections frequently. When this change was first introduced, it sparked quite the debate, with many users expressing their frustration. Google's reasoning was that it would prevent users from forgetting to turn Wi-Fi back on after switching to mobile data, potentially saving them from unintended data overages. While the intention was good, the execution left something to be desired, particularly for power users who preferred the direct control.

For a while, there were workarounds. I remember digging around and finding some temporary solutions, but they weren't always reliable and often got patched out in later updates. Then, a few third-party apps popped up, offering to restore the old toggles. However, they usually required some extra permissions, which wasn't ideal for everyone. It sounds like the cavalry might be on its way, though. The latest buzz is coming from the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), specifically within the Android 16 QPR2 source code. Apparently, some eagle-eyed developers have spotted code changes that suggest Google is considering splitting the Internet tile back into separate Wi-Fi and mobile data toggles.

What does this mean for you? Well, if the rumors are true, we might be seeing a return to the simpler, more direct way of managing our connections. The code changes hint at a new "Mobile Data" tile and a revamped "Internet" tile that focuses primarily on Wi-Fi. What I found interesting is the "Internet" tile will still be called “Internet” and will show “the current default non-wifi internet provider when Wifi is not default.”, suggesting this is being done to help “ease the transition away from the Provider Model,” where “Provider Model” is the codename for the Internet Panel.

Now, before you get too excited, it's important to remember that these are just code changes at this point. There's no guarantee that they'll make it into the final release of Android 16. Plus, there's a feature flag controlling this change, and it's not enabled yet in the latest Android 16 QPR3 Beta, so who knows when we'll actually see it in action. Google could even decide to keep this change exclusive to its OEM partners, though I personally doubt that would be the case. Still, it's a glimmer of hope for those of us who've been longing for the return of the good old days of separate Wi-Fi and mobile data toggles.