Top 14 Features of Android 14

The most widely used mobile operating system globally is gearing up for yet another version upgrade — Android 14. This forthcoming update promises significant improvements in privacy, security, and overall performance. Managed by Google, the operating system’s developer, Android 14 is also designed to enhance the user experience on larger screens, including tablets and foldable smartphones. While Android 14 is presently in its beta phase, it’s anticipated that the final version will roll out to smartphones by the end of the summer. In this article, we’ll delve into the noteworthy features that have captured our attention, with the expectation of uncovering more as Google unveils additional functionalities over the coming months.

As a background, it’s worth noting that Google discontinued the tradition of using alphabetical dessert names for Android versions starting from Android 10. However, the internal codenames still adhere to this system. For example, the previous version, Android 13, was codenamed Tiramisu. Continuing with this trend, the current version’s internal codename, corresponding to the letter “U,” is Upside Down Cake. Let’s delve into the details.

Guidelines for Downloading and Installing Android 14
After introducing two developer previews of Android 14, Google has introduced the official first beta version. While the previews were primarily intended for developers, the Android 14 beta is tailored for Google Pixel device owners interested in trying out the latest features. It’s important to exercise caution when considering installation of the Android 14 beta on your primary device due to the likelihood of encountering bugs and issues.

For those determined to give it a try, it’s necessary to possess a Google Pixel smartphone (Pixel 4A 5G or later) and enroll in the Android Beta for Pixel program. By accessing the provided link while logged into your Google account, your eligible devices will be displayed, and you can simply select the “Opt in” option. Prior to proceeding, remember to back up your Android device. While there will be regular releases of relatively stable beta versions, it’s essential to be aware that opting out of the program to return to the latest stable public Android version will necessitate a phone reset.

Highlighted Android 14 Features
While we’re spotlighting some of the standout features and advancements thus far, it’s important to note that there is speculation regarding which features will ultimately make it to the final release. For more comprehensive information, you can explore Google’s developer site. From our observations, Android 14 appears to be a relatively modest improvement over its predecessor, with no major leaps forward.

Enhanced Battery Longevity
Although no singular headline feature stands out in this category, Google has dedicated substantial efforts to enhance Android’s efficiency, thereby reducing power consumption. Modifications to how the operating system manages background tasks, downloads, uploads, and various other optimizations are anticipated to extend the battery life of Android devices. Additionally, the return of the “screen time since last full charge” indicator, absent in Android 12, seems to be a welcomed addition.

Expanded Font Size and Intelligent Scaling
While Android 13’s font enlargement was restricted to 130 percent on Google’s Pixel phones, Android 14 offers the flexibility to scale fonts up to 200 percent. To ensure consistent layouts, the system employs nonlinear scaling. This approach avoids magnifying words that are already scaled up, such as headings, resulting in more legible text, particularly for individuals with visual impairments.

Notification Flashing
Android 14 introduces the capability to activate camera flashes and screen flashes for incoming notifications. This feature has been available on other Android smartphones, including Samsung devices, and iPhones for some time. However, Android 14 is the first to integrate this functionality directly into the operating system. Users can opt for camera flashes, screen flashes, or a combination of both, along with the option to select the flashing color. While primarily designed to assist individuals with hearing loss, it’s a useful option for anyone aiming to receive notifications discreetly.

Enhanced Support for Larger Displays
One of the foremost enhancements highlighted in the initial developer preview of Android 14 is improved support for app developers aiming to create applications that seamlessly adapt to diverse screen sizes. With an array of tools and design guidance available, developers can expect to create apps that offer optimal performance across smartphones, foldable phones, and tablets. This aligns with Apple’s strategy to ensure a cohesive app experience across different devices.

Restricting Photo and Video Access
For those uncomfortable with the binary nature of granting complete access to photos and videos, Android 14 introduces the ability to specify the specific media content that an app is permitted to access. This feature mirrors a capability introduced by Apple in iOS 14.

Elevated Security Measures
Recognizing that malware often targets older Android versions to circumvent security enhancements present in newer iterations, Android 14 institutes a restriction preventing the installation of older apps originating from Android 5.1 and earlier. Additionally, several under-the-hood enhancements contribute to improved security. Notably, the support for authentication with passkeys is expanded, enabling biometric login in lieu of password usage for an increasing number of applications.

Localized Preferences
Android 14 accommodates regional preferences by allowing users to set system wide parameters such as temperature units (Celsius or Fahrenheit), the start of the week (Monday or Sunday), preferred calendars, and numerals. These settings persist through backup and restore processes. Furthermore, the system provides enhanced support for gendered languages like French and offers improved language customization based on geographical regions.

Satellite Connectivity
Rumors about satellite connectivity for smartphones have circulated for some time, especially following Apple’s introduction of Emergency SOS via Satellite with the iPhone 14. Google’s senior vice president for Android, Hiroshi Lockheimer, confirmed support for satellite connectivity in Android 14 through a tweet. While the precise implications remain uncertain, this feature could potentially enhance connectivity in remote areas where conventional cellular service is lacking.

Anticipatory Back Gestures
Android 14 incorporates a prominent back arrow that harmonizes with your device’s wallpaper or theme, thereby improving gesture-based navigation clarity. Coupled with predictive back gestures, which provide a preview of the screen resulting from a swipe-back gesture, users can more confidently navigate and anticipate their destination. Currently, the outcome of a back swipe gesture in Android is not always immediately apparent — sometimes leading to the home screen, a previous screen, or an app.

App Cloning
A valuable addition for individuals juggling multiple accounts within the same app, Android 14 offers the ability to clone apps, enabling simultaneous use of two accounts. While select smartphone manufacturers offer solutions for specific apps and workarounds exist, an official Android option within the settings menu is likely to provide a more seamless experience. It’s important to note that this feature is currently in testing and might not be included in the final release of Android 14.

Health Connect
Google’s Health Connect app, which remains in beta, aims to centralize health and fitness data across various apps and services. This offers users a streamlined approach to managing their health-related information. There’s speculation that this app might come preinstalled on all Android 14 devices.

Enhanced Sharing Options
Addressing the historical inconsistency in the share menu across different Android devices and applications, Google now permits apps to integrate custom actions into system sharesheets. Furthermore, app data plays a more significant role in determining the prioritization of potential share targets. This refinement contributes to a more uniform and practical sharing menu, featuring the apps and contacts

Grammatical Inflection API
In gendered languages, grammatical gender can’t be worked around the same way as it can in English. For example, in English to write a message telling the user that they are subscribed to your app’s service, you could use a single phrase: “You are subscribed to…”.

To provide a similar phrase in French, there are a few options:

• Masculine-inflected form: “Vous êtes abonné à…” (English: “You are subscribed to…”)
• Feminine-inflected form: “Vous êtes abonnée à…” (English: “You are subscribed to…”)
• Neutral phrasing that avoids inflection: “Abonnement à…activé” (English: “Subscription to … enabled”)

Similar to English, the first two options address the user directly. However, without any mechanism to accommodate this grammatical feature of French, you would only have the third option, which changes the tone of the message and might not be what you want to display in your user interface.

Screenshot detection
In Android 14, the system API only detects a screenshot if the user performs a specific combination of hardware button presses. The API doesn’t detect screenshots that are taken when running test commands related to screenshots, including ADB, or within instrumentation tests that capture the device’s current screen contents.

Timeline milestones and Updates
The Android 14 Preview program runs from February 2023 until the final public release to AOSP and OEMs, planned for later in the year. At key development milestones, we’ll deliver updates for your development and testing environments. Each update includes SDK tools, system images, emulators, API reference, and API diffs. See the following table to learn more about what you should focus on during each milestone