With every new 12 months we get a brand new model of Android, and this 12 months it’s Android 14’s flip. So you may count on a significant improve to your cellphone, with new options and probably a brand new look, as soon as Android 14 – or Android Upside Down Cake because it’s codenamed – rolls out.
We’ve in all probability received some time to attend till it does formally arrive, however the working system replace has already been introduced, and a Developer Preview of it’s now out there, with a public beta (opens in new tab) following shortly afterward. Google typically holds its playing cards near its chest till I/O, which is occurring in Could. That is the place we’ll be taught much more about what’s in retailer.
Beneath, you’ll discover particulars of when Android 14 will launch in each beta and completed types, together with all the opposite data we have now about Android 14 up to now; each rumored and confirmed. As quickly as we hear something new we’ll additionally add it to this text, so examine again quickly for updates.
Lower to the chase
- What’s it? The following model of Android
- When is it out? Most likely August or September
- How a lot will it value? It will likely be a free improve
Android 14 launch date
Android 14 was introduced by Google on February 8, 2023, and the primary Developer Preview launched on the identical day, with the second Developer Preview additionally now right here, having landed in early March.
Google additionally shared a timeline for the roll out of Android 14 variations, with the primary public beta touchdown within the second week of April. That model is the earliest we’d recommend making an attempt it out, and even then you have to be ready for bugs and unfinished options.
The ultimate beta is deliberate for July, with the precise completed launch not being given a month but within the timeline, however August or September appears doubtless, as there’s unlikely to be an enormous hole between the ultimate beta and the completed launch.
Plus, August and September have been the most typical launch months for brand new Android variations in recent times – although Android 12 didn’t launch till October of its launch 12 months.
One other necessary date to notice is Could 10, as that’s when the Google IO 2023 developer convention is scheduled to happen. We’ll doubtless see one of many betas roll on the market, with new options presumably additionally set to be introduced at this occasion.
Android 14 supported telephones
If you happen to’ve used Android for some time then you definitely’ll realize it isn’t like iOS, the place each cellphone made within the final 5 years or so will get the brand new model on day one. With Android, assist is much more risky, and lots of telephones are left ready months to obtain their tailor-made replace.
That stated, in case you have a current Google Pixel cellphone, then you’ll positively be getting the replace, and doubtless on day one.
The Pixel 7 collection, Pixel 6 collection (together with Pixel 6a), Pixel 5 collection, and Pixel 4a 5G all assist the Android 14 developer preview, so you may just about rely on all of them getting the completed model too. Older Pixels gained’t although. This consists of the Pixel 4a which got here out simply two months earlier than the Pixel 5 and 4a 5G.
Past that, most different telephones that got here out within the final 12 months or so will get it, and lots of telephones which might be a few years previous will too, as will some older handsets.
Many Samsung telephones qualify for 4 years of working system upgrades, however that coverage solely applies to current handsets, which might have gotten Android 14 anyway; gadgets just like the Samsung Galaxy S23 collection, the Samsung Galaxy S22 collection, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4.
Different current big-name telephones just like the OnePlus 11, OnePlus 10 Professional, Sony Xperia 1 IV, and the Xiaomi 12 will, after all, get Android 14 too. However so will most area of interest smartphones, simply so long as they’re current fashions. Once more although, many of those telephones gained’t get the replace on day one.
Android 14 beta
Alongside the Developer Preview, Google has additionally launched the primary Beta builds for the Android 14 preview. Not all of the headline options are going to be right here (and we do not even know what the headline options are going to be), so we might nonetheless advocate holding on to Android 13 till no less than Google I/O has come and gone.
As for making an attempt Android 14, it is determined by whether or not you wish to get the Developer preview or a public preview. We might advocate the latter. If you happen to’re set on making an attempt Android 14 as a developer, you may head to the Android developer site (opens in new tab) to get it. Must you wish to seize it as a member of the general public, you may head to the Android beta (opens in new tab) web site for that.
Android 14 options
We don’t know all the things about Android 14 but, as neither the preliminary Developer Preview nor Beta launch doesn’t have each remaining characteristic included, however based mostly on that preview, together with some leaks, we’re conscious of some key issues. You’ll discover probably the most important anticipated options under.
Satellite tv for pc communication
The iPhone 14 collection sports activities emergency satellite tv for pc communication for when there’s no cell sign, and Google is constructing assist for this characteristic instantly into Android 14, so quickly it is perhaps widespread on Android telephones too.
In fact, Android cellphone makers will nonetheless want to decide on to assist this characteristic and equip their handsets with the required {hardware}, however native software program assist might make them extra eager to take action.
Sideload securely
In an effort to save lots of individuals from downloading malicious apps, Android 14 will cease customers from sideloading apps geared toward historical variations of Android.
Apps on the Google Play Retailer already need to be geared toward pretty current variations of Android, however at present there’s nothing to cease customers from going to third-party shops or web sites and getting apps constructed for even the very earliest Android variations.
That’s not safe, as hackers can create apps that concentrate on flaws in these earlier working system variations, so with Android 14, wherever you get your apps from you have to be just a little safer from these vulnerabilities.
Locked-down accessibility companies
Google now says that apps uploaded to the Play Retailer which goal to make use of accessibility companies will now be restricted from utilizing them except they’re in truth reporting their intention. This implies they must genuinely serve customers who require these superior accessibility companies. Google’s Talkback app, for instance, permits customers to have their display contents learn out. That person case would qualify as a real accessibility want.
This additionally implies that an app cannot declare to make use of a shortcut or instrument meant to mitigate the results of disabilities to trick customers into transferring cash to another person’s account. On the similar time, this implies customization or performance hacks that relied on accessibility companies can now not work. As that is roughly the one hundredth time Google’s tried to lock down its accessibility companies for security and safety causes, we are able to solely assume their builders are properly ready at this level.
Correct passkey assist
Android 14 appears to be bringing in full assist for passkeys, which might imply the times of passwords are numbered.
Passkeys are a safer various to passwords, and so they work by way of units of encryption keys. Whereas passkey assist already exists in Android, at present the keys need to be saved inside Google’s personal password supervisor system, whereas with Android 14, third-party password managers like Dashlane and LastPass will be capable of retailer the keys, so that you don’t need to be tied to Google’s personal safety.
Regional preferences
One different characteristic being examined for Android 14 – as noticed by XDA Developers (opens in new tab) – is the flexibility to set your most well-liked temperature items, first day of the week, calendar sort, and quantity system, which can then be utilized throughout apps.
Well being Join
Well being Join helps you to sync information between your well being and health apps and gadgets, so as to probably see all of this information in a single place. It’s not a brand new app, however – as noticed by XDA Developers (opens in new tab) – with Android 14 it’s seemingly being built-in into the platform, fairly than being a separate app that it’s a must to obtain.
App cloning
One characteristic Google is testing for Android 14 – via XDA Developers (opens in new tab) – is named ‘cloned apps’, and permits you to create a second occasion of an app, so that you might be logged in with two completely different accounts on the similar time, for apps that don’t natively assist a number of accounts.
We’ve seen this type of characteristic earlier than from some cellphone makers, however that is the primary time it’s been part of inventory Android.
Font scaling
The primary Developer Preview of Android 14 consists of font scaling as much as 200% to assist low-vision customers. It’s cleverly designed too, because it makes use of a non-linear scaling curve, which implies that whereas the smallest components may develop by 200%, already giant textual content gained’t improve by the identical quantity, in order that it gained’t get impractically giant.
View apps put in within the background
Your cellphone doubtless gained’t simply embody the apps you put in on it. There will even be pre-installed apps, a lot of which may very well be thought-about bloatware.
Worse, producers and carriers will generally add apps to your cellphone at a later date, with out your permission or information, and naturally viruses and the like might additionally add apps to your cellphone with out your information.
These are described as apps that have been put in within the background, and with Android 14, XDA Developers has found (opens in new tab) that you simply’ll be capable of view a listing of all of those, so you may carry on prime of them.
Emoji wallpaper
If you happen to’re a Pixel person then it seems to be like Android 14 will allow you to create a wallpaper to your cellphone, utilizing a mixture of as much as 14 completely different emojis of your selection, together with a selection of patterns and colours. You possibly can see some examples of this from XDA Builders above.
Enhanced Dwell Wallpapers
Very like emoji wallpapers, there are additionally potential dwell wallpaper enhancements coming to Android 14. The sleuths at XDA Developers (opens in new tab)notice that Google has deliberate to increase assist for dwell wallpapers in order that they might work like common wallpapers. Which means you’d be capable of set a separate dwell wallpaper to your homescreen and your lockscreen.
Dwell wallpapers are a cool characteristic that Android (and iPhone) customers have had for years and with the ability to set them independently of one another would improve personalization.
Auto-confirm PINs
A small characteristic noticed like so many others by XDA Developers (opens in new tab), this time within the second Developer Preview of Android 14, is the flexibility to have right PINs mechanically confirmed.
What which means is that if you enter the ultimate digit of a PIN, it could mechanically settle for it, fairly than you having to press ‘OK’ or ‘Affirm’ or the like. This characteristic will solely work for PINs of no less than six digits.