The internet has been singing like a canary about Google's new beta-like program. You're probably wondering what it is by now. If you're familiar with developer previews, then you know how the company dishes out previews of their latest software in phases before the grand stable launch. Then you’ll test it for bugs and fish out imperfections.
However, the program has always had limits. They only run during the months leading up to a major Android release. By the time updates roll out, most features are already in a near-final state and you’re not really seeing Android as it’s being built. Canary is meant for you if you want to see changes as they happen.
What is Android Canary?
Canary is a new update channel for the Android operating system. It gives you access to experimental operating system builds continuously. Instead of flashing your Pixel over and over like with the old preview system, you flash once using the Android Flash Tool.
After that, you’ll get new updates over-the-air. These builds contain in-progress features, behavioral changes, and new APIs that may never make it to stable Android. But they’re still useful for testing app compatibility and giving early feedback directly to Google.
They recommend the channel only for developers or anyone who isn’t using their Pixel as their primary phone. It’s unstable by design and the builds are pushed out with minimal testing the very same day changes are made internally.
You could break core system functions on your device. Once you’re on Canary, you’ll keep getting updates regularly, and if you want to exit, you’ll need to flash back to a public or Beta build, which wipes your device.
Related: Everything That’s New On Google’s Latest Software
Eligible Pixel devices for Android Canary
Canary is currently limited to Pixel phones and tablets, which is no surprise. Afterall, they're Google's own devices and its favorite sandbox. Plus, if you’re going to push out features that might crash the system or rewrite core behavior overnight, you’d want to do it on devices you control from top to bottom.
Specifically, Pixel 6 and newer devices are eligible. That also includes the Pixel 7, 8, 9, maybe the upcoming Pixel 10 series, plus the Pixel Fold, and Pixel Tablet. Their A series counterparts are also eligible from the 6a model upwards.
However, if you don’t have a Pixel, you can still access Canary builds using the Android Emulator in Android Studio Canary. This way, you can test platform features on your computer. It's obviously not the same as running them on real hardware, but it works.
Related: Google Rolls Out Surprise July Pixel Drop With Next Level AI Features
Android Canary preview
9to5Google shared the first real look at what Android Canary looks like beyond the concept. Among the first things spotted is a removal of the AI Mode toggle from the Pixel Launcher’s search bar.
It's an interesting reversal given how much emphasis Google has placed on AI lately. It could mean a major redesign. The weather widget under At a Glance has been revamped with colorful icons and parental controls now live outside the Digital Wellbeing section in Settings.
