Download Android 14 Beta 1 on your eligible Google Pixel.

Google released its first public beta of Android 14, which brings a lot of new functionality to the next major version of the Android operating system. There are four major releases before Android 14 starts rolling out to users. Google Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5, Pixel 5a, Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, and Pixel 7 Pro are compatible devices to install Android 14 Beta 1. Beta release as it was predicated, Google Android Development cycles seem quite well.

There were two developer previews released in February and March, and if you are already in beta testing or even on the Android 13 QPR Beta program, you can receive the update via an over-the-air update. If you are waiting for the stable release, then expect it to drop in June ahead of the final release in August. The company hasn’t shared all the improvements; these are shared by professionals, and features have been spotted by users and shared online. Have a look at what Android 14 Beta 1 brings.

What’s new in Android 14 Beta 1?

Starting with the material, you are now expanding to other parts of the Android OS; along with this, there is more customization to look more native to the OS. With better privacy features, like now, users can revoke permission at any time and see the total time of access to the microphone and camera by that app.

Giving users more data transparency and graphics capabilities are two of the most notable features of Android 14 Beta 1.

“Show Weather” on the Lock Screen

You can toggle to enable Show Weather at a Glance from Lockscreen Settings in Android Settings. However, Android 14 Beta 1 doesn’t work on some devices. Alternatively, you can check this from Glance Widgets by toggling “Show Widgets” in Preferences. You can navigate to Google App > Assistant > Personalization > Glance.

Glance at Two Lines

In the previous Android 13 Developer Preview, Glance weather and time used to be in a single line, but Google reverted it as users didn’t like these options.

Transparent navigation bar

There is a new transparent navigation bar, which supports all applications. This isn’t enabled by default; for this, you need to enable Developer mode and then enable the Transparent Navigation bar to make the bar background color transparent by default.

Google has recently launched NearbyShare on Windows. It looks like the company is now more focused on making a way to share files. Apps can add custom actions based on their signals to determine the ranking of the direct share target, as Google has added the ability to add a custom action to the system share sheet. It is said to be more convenient and useful for relevant contacts and apps.

Pause and App Info switched places.

This change was also seen in Android 13, as Pause and App Info have now switched their places. When you tap on the App icon, it will show a context menu with some options; the place for Pause and App Info switch their places.

Prominent back.

It improves the gesture controls and experience; it now has a Material You design. Yes, it does include a prominent back while interacting with apps. It’s an addition; it will allow you to see what’s on the next screen before you finish swiping the back.

Per-app language preference

This is one of the major improvements that are likely to come with Android 14; now, users can choose the language specific to apps. The app will dynamically customize the set language and display it according to the per-app language.

Data sensitive

Developers can now limit the visibility of their apps’ content to only those accessibility services meant to help users with disabilities, and it is also mandatory to protect users’ sensitive data from malicious apps. This means apps can now limit the specific view to only be visible for the accessibility service that claims to be helpful to a user with disabilities.

App Cloning

Now you don’t need third-party apps or custom skins to use the clone app, as Google will bring app cloning to Android 14, but it will support a limited number of apps.

Guest Phone App

Now admin users can grant permission to have access to the Phone app and will be able to view all their call history and also be able to make calls.

Secondary admin users

In addition to guest phone access, there is an option to make secondary users on a device, which is quite useful for tablets that multiple people in the household use.

Background app installation page

Now you can uninstall and remove permissions from the third-party apps, as Android 14 will now show the apps installed by manufacturing pre-installed bloatware and by your carrier.

Game controller support

There is support for console controllers like the PlayStation DualSense Edge and the SteelSeries Status Plus controller, which will improve playing games on Android devices.

Health Connect app

Samsung and Google have now partnered to have a native health data hub in device settings; it is quite similar to what Apple has called Apple Health. Google is also coming for your Fitbit account this summer, with the transition mandatory by 2025, allowing them to manage the data in the Google Privacy Centre to keep track of their data.

Improved Photo Picker

You can now let Android know what photo you allow access to; however, only some apps support this functionality, but Google is likely to enforce the use of the new photo even if an app requires full access to your photos.

Hearing Aids Page

As a company like Samsung developed an earbud to improve hearing aids, Google now has a dedicated hearing aids page. This gives users improved audio for some hearing devices, like the Samsung Galaxy Earbuds 2 Pro.

Better Scaling for Fonmts

You can now scale the device text to 200%; apps will dynamically adjust. The battery has major improvements; you can save up to 20% battery with the power-saving mode. Apart from this, for developers, there are new tools for new resizable emulators to test their apps on different screen sizes. Apart from these, some new APIs also include updating apps at less disruptive times and adding support for grammatical gender. Apart from these, there is a new split-up of the ringtone and notification volume slider at long last, and the company is working on Android 14 to kill off passwords in favor of passkeys.

Join Android 14 Beta 1

Unlike the developer preview, users can join the beta by installing it directly on their device. You can join the program by visiting the official beta program or sideloading the beta on your device. Log in with your Google account, and then click on View Eligible Devices. From there, click on the opt-in button. After that, check the checkbox for I agree to the beta program terms, and then hit the confirm and enroll button.

Once you enroll in Beta, you can check the update by navigating to Device Settings > System and then the system update from there. With the OTA, you can update your Android 14 Beta 1 without losing data.