Google has launched Android 14 with a bunch of dynamic features and significant capabilities. The Android 14 first developer preview was released in early February 2023 and brought important information about the upcoming features in the OS. Meanwhile, other Android vendors continued this race with their custom skins and will soon release the official versions on the surface.
At the Google I/O Developer Conference 2023, Google finally shared some long-awaited details about Android 14 and also brought the second public beta build. Android 14 optimizes the way apps work together, improves system health and battery life, and polishes the end-user experience.
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According to the testing schedule, just like the Android 13’s testing phase, we have already tested two developer previews in February and March respectively.
Last month on April 12, Google released the first public beta, and two weeks later we received a hotfix Beta 1.1 build. At the Google I/O developer conference on May 10, Google released the second public beta build of Android 14 alongside more details. Google released the third beta with platform stability in June.
But this time, the trend is a bit different! We now have a Beta 4 build, released on July 11. However, the tech giant pushed off the stable build at the Pixel 8 series launch event.
Android 14 privacy and security
To improve Privacy and Security, Android 14 will prevent apps with a targetSdkVersion lower than 23 (Android 6.0 in 2015) from being installed. We previously spotted this upcoming change, and Google says this “specific version was chosen because some malware apps use a targetSdkVersion of 22 to avoid being subjected to the runtime permission model.”
That said, older installed apps on devices upgrading to Android 14 will not be impacted, and developers are currently being given a testing workaround.
Android 14 Release Date
Google has already released the first Android DP in early February 2023 and the DP2 in March. We have seen the first Beta build in April, the second in May, the third in June, and in July we will see Beta 4 and Beta 5 build. The final release of Android 13 will be there by the end of Q3 2023.
Delaying the official version to some extent, the company brought in the stable Android 14 upgrade on October 04. Meanwhile, the tech giant is serving the QPR1 Beta builds to Pixel owners with impressive features and improvements.
Android 14 Eligible Devices
We will continuously be adding Android 14 eligible devices in this section. Check below for your device:
- Google
- Pixel Fold, Pixel Tablet, Pixel 7a, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7, Pixel 6a, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6, Pixel 5a 5G, Pixel 5, and Pixel 4a (5G)
- OnePlus
- OnePlus 11/11R, 10T, 10 Pro, 10R/5G, 9/9 Pro, 9RT, 9R, 8T
- OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite, OnePlus Nord CE 3, OnePlus Nord 3, Nord 2T, Nord CE 2 Lite
- Oppo
- OPPO Find X6 Pro, Reno8 T/5G, A78, A56s, OPPO Find N3/ N3 Flip, Find N2 Flip, Find N2, A58x, Reno9/Pro/Pro+, A1 Pro, A58, A17K, A77s, A17, K10x, A57e, A57s, Reno8/Pro/Pro+/Z, A77, A97, K10 5G, A57, K10 Pro, F21 Pro/5G, Find X5/X5 Pro
- Realme
- Realme 11 Pro series, Narzo 60, Narzo 60 Pro, Realme C55, Realme 50 Pro, Realme 10 Pro+ 5G, Realme Narzo 55, Realme 10, Realme, C53, Realme C51, Narzo N53, GT Neo 5, V30, V20, 10s/10/10 Pro/10 Pro+, 9i, GT2 Explorer Master, GT Neo 3T, Narzo 50/Pro, V23i/V23, Q5i/Q5/Pro, 9/9 Pro/9 Pro+, Neo 3, V25, GT Neo 3, GT2/Pro
- Nokia
- Nokia X30, G60, G400
- Vivo
- Vivo Y55s, iQOO Neo7 Racing/SE, S16/Pro, Y35, iQOO 11, X90/90 Pro/90 Pro+, V21s, X Fold+, X80 Lite, Y52t, iQOO Z6 Lite, Y22/s, V25e, Y77e, Y77, Y75, Y55 V25 Pro, Y30, iQOO 9T, iQOO 10/Pro, T2x, iQOO Neo 6, S15/Pro, iQOO Neo6 SE, X80/Pro, iQOO Z6 Pro, X Fold
- Motorola
- Motorola Moto G73, G72, G53, G23, X40, ThinkPhone, Edge 2022, Moto S30 Pro, Edge 30/30 Neo/30 Ultra/30 Fusion, X30 Pro, G82, Moto G Stylus, Edge+ 5G
- Xiaomi
- Xiaomi Redmi K60/K60E/K60 Pro, Note 12/12 Pro Speed, 13/13 Pro, Redmi Note Discovery/12 Pro/Pro+, 12T/12T Pro, Note 11R, Civi 2, Redmi K50i/K50 Ultra, Mix Fold 2, 12S/12S Pro/12S Ultra/12 Lite, Xiaomi 12/12 Pro, Redmi Note 11T Pro/Pro+, Civi 1S, Redmi K50/Pro, Redmi K40S, Redmi K50 Gaming
- Poco X5/X5 Pro, M5, M4, F4/F4 GT, X4 5G, X4 GT
- Samsung
- Galaxy S23, S22, S21, S21 FE, Fold4/3, Flip4/3, Tab S8/S8+/S8 Ultra, A14, A04s, A73, A53, A33, A23, A13, A72, A52s 5G, A52 LTE/5G, M53 5G, M33 5G, M23
Android 14 Beta Devices
The Android 14 developer preview and initial beta builds were restricted to Google Pixel phone owners. These devices can currently test the Android 14 Beta:
- Pixel Fold
- Pixel Tablet
- Pixel 7a
- Pixel 7
- Pixel 7 Pro
- Pixel 6
- Pixel 6
- Pixel 6 Pro
- Pixel 5a
- Pixel 5G
- Pixel 5
- Pixel 4a (5G)
- iQOO 11
- Lenovo Tab Extreme
- Nothing Phone 1
- OnePlus 11
- Oppo Find N2 Flip
- Realme GT2 Pro
- Tecno Camon 20 Series
- Vivo X90 Pro
- Xiaomi 13 Pro
- Xiaomi 13
- Xiaomi 12
Android 14 features
In this section, we will cover every new feature coming with the Android 14 OS. Let’s talk about the features below.
Just like Apple’s iOS 16 customizable lock screens, Android 14 is also getting customizable lock screens. You will be able to pick a more complex interface on your lock screen. In addition, you will be able to change the bottom quick action buttons. Instead of Google Wallet, you can add a QR code scanner or other pre-defined options.
With Android 14, it will also finally be possible to switch to different quick action buttons at the bottom if you don’t care for home automatization or Google Wallet. You will be able to switch to the QR code scanner, the flashlight, and a few more pre-determined options. Android 14 will also offer AI-generated wallpapers.
What’s new in Android 14 Beta 4 Build:
- Android 14 Beta 4 is here, and the Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet join the testing.
- Several user and developer-reported bugs have been patched with Beta 4.
- Google has included additional fixes for fingerprint readers, app launch animations, face unlock, system UI crashes, and overall system stability.
- There are 23 other fixes within this Beta 4 rollout.
What’s new in Android 14 Beta 3 Build:
- Lock screen customizable
- New gesture navigation tutorials
- Clock shortcut in the notification shade
- Charging indicator to the status bar
- Adds emoji and AI-generated wallpapers
- A new mouse cursor
What’s new in Android 14 Beta 2 Build:
At I/O, Google released the Android 14 Beta 2. Android 14 Beta 2 adds small changes to the lock screen, a new battery saving mode toggle, changes in the home screen pop-up, a monochromatic theme, and more. Here’s everything new in Beta Build 2.
- Android 14 Beta 2 adds a new minimized clipboard overlay, it appears when you use the keyboard.
- Dedicated 2.4GHz toggle for Wi-Fi hotspot.
- Android 14 will let you know which apps are using your location.
- Android 14 will support Ultra HDR for your images and videos.
- Google is working on auto-confirmation of the correct PIN without tapping enter.
- You now have a separate option for languages and input settings. You can also customize font size and added a new 200% zoom level.
What’s new in Android 14 Beta 1 Build:
In Android 14, apps can add custom actions to the sharing menu including options like Send to your devices, QR code, or Copy link. Android 14 adds more security options to protect you from malware. Only accessibility apps scanned by Play Protect and the Play Store can access sensitive information. To force a transparent nav bar in any app, Google has added a toggle under developer options.
What’s new in Android 14 DP 2:
- The regional preferences page is here in Android 14 DP2.
- Revamped permission control option for media files.
- Google enables predictive back gestures for some supported apps, like Google News and the system settings.
- You will get a super low battery warning notification when your battery drops to 2%.
- Emoji Kitchen wallpapers
- Flash for notifications
- You can now use your display or camera to flash as a notification light.
What’s new in DP1:
- Bigger fonts with non-linear scaling
- Starting in Android 14, users will be able to scale up their font to 200%, previously, it was limited to 130%. To mitigate issues where the text gets too large, starting in Android 14, a non-linear font scaling curve is automatically applied. This ensures that text that is already large enough doesn’t increase at the same rate as smaller text. In Android 14, you should test your app UI with the maximum font size using the Font size option within the Accessibility > Display size and text settings.
- Block installation of apps
- To protect against Malware, starting with Android 14, apps with a targetSdkVersion lower than 23 cannot be installed. This specific version was chosen because some malware apps use a targetSdkVersion of 22 to avoid being subjected to the runtime permission model introduced in 2015 by Android 6.0 (API level 23). On devices that upgrade to Android 14, apps with a targetSdkVersion lower than 23 will remain installed.
- Credential Manager and Passkeys support
- Google recently announced the alpha release of Credential Manager, a new Jetpack API that allows you to simplify your users’ authentication journey, while also increasing security with the support of passkeys. Passkeys are a significantly safer replacement for passwords and other phishable authentication factors and more convenient for users (they require just a biometric swipe to securely sign in on any device).
- Separate Bluetooth & Wi-Fi reset option
- Google is separating the “Reset options” menu with options for mobile network settings, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. In the DP, you’ll now get an extra menu option within the “Reset options” section. In Android 13, there are composite Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth network settings.
- Dual-SIM can now automatically switch mobile data to the best option
- Google has added the ability for Dual-SIM to automatically switch to the best mobile data option. A new option in SIM settings allows your device to automatically switch between the two SIM cards, depending on “better availability for calls and internet.”
- Screen time in Battery usage stats
- Google is bringing back the ability to see screen time in battery usage stats. Google redesigned the battery usage stats screen in Android 12. Google has also redesigned the battery usage page with a “screen time since last full charge” section.
- You now choose between “Basic” and “Extreme Battery Saver,” with everything now on one page, including Adaptive Battery.
- Instead of an inline dropdown, Battery usage now makes use of a menu to switch between “Breakdown by apps” and “Breakdown by system.”
- Google is preparing an official way to clone apps without needing any third-party apps
- ‘Passwords’ and ‘Autofill service’ merged into ‘Default autofill service’
Android 14 Testing
Google has released the Android 14 beta builds, you can get started today by flashing a system image onto a Pixel Fold, Pixel Tablet, Pixel 7a, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7, Pixel 6a, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6, Pixel 5a 5G, Pixel 5, or Pixel 4a (5G) device. If you don’t have a Pixel phone, you can use the 64-bit system images with the Android Emulator in Android Studio. This initial preview release is for developers only and not intended for daily or consumer use, so we’re making it available by manual download only. Once you’ve manually installed a preview build, you’ll automatically get future updates over the air for all later previews and Betas.
*We will add more devices to the eligible list
**This article will be updated regularly. Last updated on October 21.
