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The stable version Android 14 is almost here, but we'll have to wait a few more weeks until it's available to the public. To prepare for this significant transition, Google today released the final pre-release build in the form of Beta 5 to let enthusiasts as well as regular users offer last-minute feedback. As expected, the fifth beta build features finalized SDK and NDK APIs and app-facing system behaviors, so it's time for developers to get their apps ready for the new OS.
Google Pixel Fold and Tablet join the bleeding edge with Android 14 Beta 4
The stable release is just around the corner
Android 14 Beta 4 is rolling out today for eligible Pixel devices. For folks keeping track of the development cycle, this is the last expected major release before it hits the stable milestone and is ready for the masses. This latest version also picks up support for the brand new Pixel Fold as well as the Pixel Tablet, which means it's the last chance for the app developers to get those tuning-and-testing toes wet before Android 14 is released.
New Battery Saver feature in Android 14 Beta 3 could further extend battery life on Pixels
A new feature has been added to Battery Saver mode, potentially extending the life of Pixel devices.
Every year, smartphones are getting better and better, but even the best Android phones still struggle to provide amazing battery life. While they've definitely gotten better, sometimes, you just need to be able to maximize the phone's battery when you're unable to get to a charger. Apparently, Google wasn't satisfied with its Battery Saver mode for Pixels, as it has introduced a new feature with the Android 14 Beta 3 that could extend the battery life of the phone by dimming the wallpaper.
Android 14 reaches Platform Stability milestone with Beta 3 release for Google Pixels
The latest beta update is now available for compatible Pixel phones, including the Pixel 7a.
Google has announced Android 14 Beta 3, arriving to Pixel smartphones. Even better for Pixel 7a users is that, for the first time, they will be able to install an Android 14 beta. Android 14 Beta 3 is an important release not only for developers but enthusiasts as well, as the OS finally reaches Platform Stability. For Android updates, The "platform stability" milestone refers to when Google delivers the final SDK/NDK APIs, along with final internal APIs and app-facing system behaviors.
Google is prepping the sweet treat of Android 14 for its Pixel smartphones, and users on the beta program are starting to see a fresh new update today. The upcoming major release of Android has just hit another milestone with a Beta 2.1 hotfix making its debut alongside a bunch of stability improvements.
How to install Android 14 on Google Pixel and other Android devices
Now that the first beta of Android 14 is here, you can install it on your Google Pixel smartphone. Here's how!
The first beta release of Android 14 is finally here, and you can give it a shot right now if you've got an eligible Google Pixel smartphone. Google also provides Generic System Images (GSI), which means the latest version of Android can be technically booted on non-Google Project Treble-compatible devices as well. If you're wondering how to download the files that you need first, then be sure to check out how to download Android 14 for your smartphone.
Google puts finishing touches on Android 13 QPR2 with Beta 3
Getting ready for the stable launch next month
The beta branch of Android 13 QPR2 just picked up a new bug-squashing update. If you've got a Pixel 4a or later and are enrolled in the program, you should see the over-the-air update coming right now. The new version, Beta 3, addresses a number of stability issues while also fixing a few more specific problems that adventurous early adopters and developers may have run into.
Rooting Google Pixel 6 series requires help from the Pixel 7 on the latest Android 13 beta
Using the boot image from the Pixel 7 - yes, that's right!
As soon as Google kickstarted the beta initiative of Android 13's second Quarterly Platform Release (commonly referred to as QPR2), many enthusiasts expected that achieving root on these builds would be just as easy as rooting the stable channel firmware, but that didn't turn out to be the case. To be precise, the generic root guide that involves patching the boot image using Magisk stopped working for the Google Pixel 6 series. If you have a Pixel 6, 6 Pro, or Pixel 6a, neither the stable nor the Canary build of Magisk can generate a working patched boot image for superuser access on the QPR2 beta builds. But solving the riddle seemed to be a matter of when, not if, and the Android modding scene had already figured out a clever way to root the Pixel 6 lineup running Android 13 QPR2 beta by borrowing some bits from the Pixel 7.
Google releases bug-fixing Android 13 QPR2 Beta 2 update for Pixel phones
With January's security patch
Another month, another step closer to the second Android 13 Quarterly Platform Release, otherwise known as QPR2, becoming a stable version. The first month of 2023 has already seen a breakneck pace to Android-related releases — we just got the January 2023 security bulletin last week, and started this week off with a fresh new set of Play system updates. Now Google's following that up with the release of QPR2 Beta 2 for eligible Pixel phones.
How to download Android 12 and 12L for Google Pixel and other Android devices
Google has just released the stable build of Android 12L for eligible Pixel devices. You can find the download links in this post.
The wait is finally over — Android 12L is here as Google has officially kicked off the update rollout via stable channel. If you’re the lucky owner of a Google Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 5a, Pixel 5, Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL, Pixel 3a, or the Pixel 3a XL, then you can have the opportunity to try out the latest iteration of Android right now. During the beta phase, Generic System Images (GSI) are also available, which means the early builds can be booted on non-Google Project Treble compatible devices as well.
How to downgrade your Google Pixel device from beta or developer preview to stable Android version
Tried Android 13 beta, but weren't a big fan? Here's how to downgrade from Android 13 back to stable Android 12 on your Google Pixel device.
Smartphone companies that are on top of their software update game are far and few between. Luckily, Google Pixel users not only get major updates before everyone, they can also test out the upcoming version of Android through a public beta program. It has been some time since Google released Android 13 through the beta channel for eligible Pixel devices and while the update has received generally favorable reviews, we can't forget the fact that it is still just a beta quality software, not a daily driver like Android 12.
Lenovo releases Android 13 Beta 2 for the Tab P12 Pro
The Lenovo Tab P12 Pro has received the second beta build of Android 13. Interested users can download the new release from Lenovo's website.
Thanks to the dedication from Google and a number of OEMs, we have seen more devices receiving early beta builds of the next version of Android than ever before. This certainly ensures that developers can check their apps and games across a wider range of devices to ensure compatibility with Android 13 at its public launch. If you are an owner of the only supported tablet in the roster and don’t mind being on the cutting edge of software, there’s some good news for you to be excited about. Lenovo has now released the second beta of Android 13 to the Tab P12 Pro.
How to install Android 12 and 12L on Google Pixel and other Android devices
Google has just released Android 12L beta for the Pixel lineup. Here is how you can install Android 12 (or 12L) on your smartphone!
It’s that time of year again! Android 12, i.e. the next major release of Android is now available via stable channel. Google has also started rolling out Android 12L as a feature drop that brings several optimizations and improvements for large screen devices. For lucky owners of the Google Pixel 3a, Pixel 3a XL, Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5, Pixel 5a, Pixel 6, or Pixel 6 Pro, you’ll be among the first users to see what new OS update has to offer.
Android 12 Beta 1 goes live for Pixel phones at Google I/O 2021
At Google I/O 2021, the company released Android 12 Beta 1 for Pixel phones. Here's what's new and where you can download it.
After three Developer Preview builds, Google is finally ready to release the first Android 12 Beta today following an announcement at Google I/O 2021. Everything that we’ve covered in the Developer Preview phase has been polished and refined for the beta release, but that doesn’t mean Google's work is completely done. Of course, we’ll continue to see small improvements until the arrival of the stable build.
Breaking: Android 12 Beta GSI goes live ahead of Google I/O 2021
The Android 12 Beta 1 GSI packages are already available for download from Google's server. Go grab then now!
The first Android 12 Developer Preview was released back in February, followed by Preview 2, and recently, Preview 3. Google is supposed to release the Android 12 Beta 1 today to the Pixel lineup during Google I/O 2021. However, it looks like the official Android 12 Beta 1 Generic System Image (GSI) packages are already available for download!
Download: OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro receive Android 11 Developer Preview 4-based OxygenOS 11 builds with September 2020 patches
OnePlus has released Android 11 Developer Preview 4-based OxygenOS 11 builds for the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro. Read on to know more!
OxygenOS 11, i.e. the upcoming iteration of OnePlus' custom skin has already raised some eyebrows due to its revamped design language. The new UI was first unveiled through the third "Developer Preview" build of Android 11 for the OnePlus 8 series. Although DP3 was supposed to be the final Developer Preview build, OnePlus has now come up with yet another build based on Android 11 beta. Those running the DP3 build on their OnePlus 8/8 Pro are now receiving Developer Preview 4 as an incremental update.
How to download Android 11 Beta for Google Pixel and other Android devices
Google has officially kicked off the Android 11 beta program. If you're curious about the next version of Android, you can download Android 11 right now.
Google has officially kicked off the Android 11 Developer Preview program, just five months after the stable release of Android 10. They're starting things a little earlier this year (the first Android Q beta dropped in March). If you're curious about the next version of Android, you can download Android 11 right now for the Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, Pixel 3a, Pixel 3a XL, Pixel 4, and Pixel 4 XL (the original Google Pixel and Pixel XL are not officially supported).
Android 11 Beta 3 is here, removing the location requirement for COVID-19 contact tracing apps
Google has released the final Android 11 Beta 3 build, and it removes the location requirement for COIVD-19 contact tracing apps. Read on to know more!
Google released Android 11 Beta 2 last month, pushing the new update for the Android OS to "platform stability" status. This was followed by the Beta 2.5 release, which is more of a bug-fix release instead of a proper increment. Between each release, there are a lot of announced and unannounced changes to spot, just as we found for Beta 1 and Beta 2. While we rub our hands in anticipation of the stable release that is expected around September 8, Google has now released Android 11 Beta 3, the final scheduled beta before the official stable release.
Android 11 Beta 2.5 fixes Pixel 4 screen flickering and more
Like it did with the first beta, Google is now releasing a minor Android 11 Beta 2.5 update to address some issues before the next main release.
Earlier this month, Google released Android 11 Beta 2, the Platform Stability release. Like they did with the first beta, Google is now releasing a minor update to address some issues before the next main release. Android 11 Beta 2.5 brings some important fixes for the Pixel 4 and other Pixel devices.
Tecno Pouvoir 4 is the first smartphone with a MediaTek SoC to get Android 11 Beta 1 build
Tecno Pouvoir 4, a smartphone powered by the MediaTek Helio A22 SoC, has received its first Android 11 Beta 1 build. Head on over for flashing steps!
The stable version of Android 11 is still months away, but Google has already finalized the relevant SDK, NDK APIs, and other components in the second beta of Android 11 that came out earlier this month. The beta testing initiative isn't limited to Google's Pixel lineup, as various other OEMs have released similar beta builds of Android 11 for their phones. Be it OnePlus, Xiaomi, OPPO, or even the Pixel phones themselves - so far all the recipients of Android 11 Beta are powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon SoCs. While you can technically flash Android 11 GSIs on non-Snapdragon devices as well, an official build compiled by the respective OEM does ensure comparatively better stability. The good news is, we now have the first MediaTek phone in the roster.