Android 14

By John

Posted on February 12, 2023

Google just started working on the next major version of Android, Android 14. The Android 14 first developer preview was released in early February 2023 and brings information about the upcoming features in the OS.

Android 14 optimizes the way apps work together, improves system health and battery life, and polishes the end-user experience.

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According to the testing schedule, just like the Android 13’s testing phase, we will see developer previews in February and March. Google will start releasing beta builds starting in April, and platform stability in June. You can expect stable Android 14 OS to reach smartphones by August this year.

Android 14 privacy and security

To improve Privacy and Security, Android 14 will prevent apps with a targetSdkVersion lower than 23 (Android 6.0 in 2015) from being installed. We previously spotted this upcoming change, and Google says this “specific version was chosen because some malware apps use a targetSdkVersion of 22 to avoid being subjected to the runtime permission model.”

That said, older installed apps on devices upgrading to Android 14 will not be impacted, and developers are currently being given a testing workaround.

Android 14 features

In this section, we will cover every new feature coming with the Android 14 OS. So far, the company only released the first DP version of Android 14. You can expect 5 more build releases before the stable version. Let’s talk about the features below.

Bigger fonts with non-linear scaling
- Starting in Android 14, users will be able to scale up their font to 200%, previously, it was limited to 130%. To mitigate issues where the text gets too large, starting in Android 14, a non-linear font scaling curve is automatically applied. This ensures that text that is already large enough doesn’t increase at the same rate as smaller text. In Android 14, you should test your app UI with the maximum font size using the Font size option within the Accessibility > Display size and text settings.
Block installation of apps
- To protect against Malware, starting with Android 14, apps with a targetSdkVersion lower than 23 cannot be installed. This specific version was chosen because some malware apps use a targetSdkVersion of 22 to avoid being subjected to the runtime permission model introduced in 2015 by Android 6.0 (API level 23). On devices that upgrade to Android 14, apps with a targetSdkVersion lower than 23 will remain installed.
Credential Manager and Passkeys support
- Google recently announced the alpha release of Credential Manager, a new Jetpack API that allows you to simplify your users’ authentication journey, while also increasing security with the support of passkeys. Passkeys are a significantly safer replacement for passwords and other phishable authentication factors and more convenient for users (they require just a biometric swipe to securely sign in on any device).
Separate Bluetooth & Wi-Fi reset option
- Google is separating the “Reset options” menu with options for mobile network settings, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. In the DP, you’ll now get an extra menu option within the “Reset options” section. In Android 13, there are composite Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth network settings.
Dual-SIM can now automatically switch mobile data to the best option
- Google has added the ability for Dual-SIM to automatically switch to the best mobile data option. A new option in SIM settings allows your device to automatically switch between the two SIM cards, depending on “better availability for calls and internet.”
Screen time in Battery usage stats
- Google is bringing back the ability to see screen time in battery usage stats. Google redesigned the battery usage stats screen in Android 12. Google has also redesigned the battery usage page with a “screen time since last full charge” section.
- You now choose between “Basic” and “Extreme Battery Saver,” with everything now on one page, including Adaptive Battery.
- Instead of an inline dropdown, Battery usage now makes use of a menu to switch between “Breakdown by apps” and “Breakdown by system.”
Google is preparing an official way to clone apps without needing any third-party apps
‘Passwords’ and ‘Autofill service’ merged into ‘Default autofill service’

Android 14 Testing

Google has released the first Android 14 DP, you can get started today by flashing a system image onto a Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7, Pixel 6a, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6, Pixel 5a 5G, Pixel 5, or Pixel 4a (5G) device. If you don’t have a Pixel phone, you can use the 64-bit system images with the Android Emulator in Android Studio. This initial preview release is for developers only and not intended for daily or consumer use, so we’re making it available by manual download only. Once you’ve manually installed a preview build, you’ll automatically get future updates over the air for all later previews and Betas.

Android 14 Release Date

Google has already released the first Android DP in early February 2023 and aims to release the DP2 in March. We will see the first Beta build in April, the second in May, the third in June, and in July we will see Beta 4 and Beta 5 build. The final release of Android 13 will be there by the end of Q3 2023.

Android 14 eligible devices

We will continuously be adding Android 14 eligible devices in this section. Check below for your device:

Google
- Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7, Pixel 6a, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6, Pixel 5a 5G, Pixel 5, and Pixel 4a (5G)
OnePlus
- OnePlus 11/11R, 10T, 10 Pro, 10R/5G, 9/9 Pro, 9RT, 9R
- OnePlus Ace Pro, Ace Racing, Ace, Nord 2T, Nord CE 2 Lite
Oppo
- Reno8 T/5G, A78, A56s, Find N2 Flip, Find N2, A58x, Reno9/Pro/Pro+, A1 Pro, A58, A17K, A77s, A17, K10x, A57e, A57s, Reno8/Pro/Pro+/Z, A77, A97, K10 5G, A57, K10 Pro, F21 Pro/5G, Find X5/X5 Pro
Realme
- Realme GT Neo 5, V30, V20, 10s/10/10 Pro/10 Pro+, 9i, GT2 Explorer Master, GT Neo 3T, Narzo 50/Pro, V23i/V23, Q5i/Q5/Pro, 9/9 Pro/9 Pro+, Neo 3, V25, GT2/Pro
Nokia
- Nokia X30, G60, G400
Vivo
- Vivo Y55s, iQOO Neo7 Racing/SE, S16/Pro, Y35, iQOO 11, X90/90 Pro/90 Pro+, V21s, X Fold+, X80 Lite, Y52t, iQOO Z6 Lite, Y22/s, V25e, Y77e, Y77, Y75, Y55 V25 Pro, Y30, iQOO 9T, iQOO 10/Pro, T2x, iQOO Neo 6, S15/Pro, iQOO Neo6 SE, X80/Pro, iQOO Z6 Pro, X Fold
Motorola
- Motorola Moto G73, G72, G53, G23, X40, ThinkPhone, Edge 2022, Moto S30 Pro, Edge 30/30 Neo/30 Ultra/30 Fusion, X30 Pro, G82, Moto G Stylus, Edge+ 5G
Xiaomi
- Xiaomi Redmi K60/K60E/K60 Pro, Note 12/12 Pro Speed, 13/13 Pro, Redmi Note Discovery/12 Pro/Pro+, 12T/12T Pro, Note 11R, Civi 2, Redmi K50i/K50 Ultra, Mix Fold 2, 12S/12S Pro/12S Ultra/12 Lite, Xiaomi 12/12 Pro, Redmi Note 11T Pro/Pro+, Civi 1S, Redmi K50/Pro, Redmi K40S, Redmi K50 Gaming
- Poco X5/X5 Pro, M5, M4, F4/F4 GT, X4 5G, X4 GT
Samsung
- Galaxy S23, S22, S21, S21 FE, Fold4/3, Flip4/3, Tab S8/S8+/S8 Ultra, A14, A04s, A73, A53, A33, A23, A13, A72, A52s 5G, A52 LTE/5G, M53 5G, M33 5G, M23