It's beta time in the world of Pixels with the news that the first Android 14 Beta is ready and available to download. Being a beta, it's likely to be more stable than either of the Developer Preview builds although that's no guarantee that it's ready to be installed on your main phone. We've got more details after the break on what you can expect from this first Android 14 beta as well as steps on how to install it on your eligible Pixel handset.
Firstly, the Android 14 Beta can be installed on the following Pixel handsets:
- Pixel 4a (5G)
- Pixel 5 and 5a
- Pixel 6 and 6 Pro
- Pixel 6a
- Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro
“Beta 1 gives you a more complete and stable environment for building and testing on Android 14, and it's the first build that we deliver to early adopters who are enrolled in the Android Beta program. During the Beta releases period, early adopters will be using your app on Pixel devices, so we recommend watching for feedback from those users and releasing compatible updates to address any issues, without changing the app's targeting. It's also a good time to begin preparing for changing your app's targeting later.”
Android Developer Blog
As for what you can expect, Google says that you can expect a “Smarter System UI” along with unspecified refinements. There's a new sharing menu with custom actions and shortcuts plus a refreshed back arrow to aid the navigation of multiple apps. There are new graphics features for developers (interpolation and morphing), and improved data transparency which restricts the visibility of sensitive data being accessed by apps via the accessibility services.
As you might expect, Google has highlighted the focus on further support for tablets and foldables of all sizes with Android 14.
How to Install the Android 14 Beta 1
The Best Way
The easiest, safest, and least stressful way to get on the Android 14 Beta 1 bandwagon is to head over to the Android 14 Beta program page and enroll your Pixel handset. Once you've opted in your Pixel will notify you when the Android 14 Beta 1 build is ready to download and install on your handset. And that's it until Beta 2 comes around whereupon you'll once again be notified that it's ready to download and install.
Manually
While you download the Android 14 Beta 1 factory image for your device from here, you can check out how to flash the image to your Pixel handset below:
The easiest, least risky method of flashing the OTA is via the Android Flash Tool with no fiddling required. Just enable Developer Mode and toggle USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking on, hook your Pixel up to the PC, add the appropriate device, and then select the firmware (OTA File) you want to download and install. Click Install and that’s it. Easy-peasy.
If you want to go old-school and have the thrill of not being sure if installing the Android 14 Beta 1 build will brick your device, Google has provided the manual flashing instructions on the Android Developer site
