Posted by Dave Burke, VP of Engineering
In the present day we’re bringing you Android 14 Beta 4, persevering with our work on polish and efficiency as we get nearer to the final availability launch of Android 14. Beta 4 is obtainable for Pixel Pill and Pixel Fold, along with the remainder of the supported Pixel household, so you possibly can take a look at your functions on units spanning a number of kind elements and straight expertise the work we’re doing to enhance the large-screen and foldable machine expertise.
Platform Stability
Beta 4 is our second Platform Steady Android 14 launch, which implies that the developer APIs and all app-facing behaviors are remaining so that you can assessment and combine into your apps, and you’ll publish apps on Google Play to units operating Android 14 on the official API stage.
It is a good time to complete compatibility testing and publish any vital updates to make sure a clean app expertise forward of the ultimate launch of Android 14 later this yr.
For those who develop an SDK, library, device, or sport engine, it is much more vital to launch any vital updates now to forestall your downstream app and sport builders from being blocked with compatibility points. Additionally, whenever you launch a appropriate replace, please make certain to let your builders know.
App Compatibility
Every launch of Android incorporates adjustments to the platform that enhance privateness, safety, and the general consumer expertise. These adjustments can have an effect on your apps. Testing your app entails putting in your manufacturing app onto a tool operating Android 14 Beta 4; you should use Google Play or different means. Work by means of all of the app’s flows and search for practical or UI points. Evaluate the habits adjustments to focus your testing.
Get began with Android 14
In the present day’s Beta 4 launch has every thing you have to attempt Android 14 options, take a look at your apps, and provides us suggestions. The best solution to get began is utilizing the 64-bit Android Emulator system photographs for the Pixel Pill or Pixel Fold configurations discovered within the newest preview of the Android Studio SDK Supervisor. It’s also possible to enroll any supported Pixel machine right here — together with the brand new Pixel 7a, Pixel Pill, and the Pixel Fold — to get this and future Android 14 Beta and have drop Beta updates over-the-air.
- Strive the brand new options and APIs. Report points in our tracker on the suggestions web page.
- Check your present app for compatibility – be taught whether or not your app is affected by default habits adjustments in Android 14. Set up your app onto a tool or emulator operating Android 14 and extensively take a look at it.
- Check your app with opt-in adjustments – Android 14 has opt-in habits adjustments that solely have an effect on your app when it’s focusing on the brand new platform. It’s vital to know and assess these adjustments early. To make it simpler to check, you possibly can toggle the adjustments on and off individually.
- Replace your app with the Android SDK Improve Assistant – Android Studio Hedgehog now filters and identifies the precise Android 14 API adjustments which are related to your app, and walks you thru the steps to improve your targetSdkVersion with the Android SDK Improve Assistant.
We’ll replace the beta system photographs recurrently all through the Android 14 launch cycle.
If you’re already enrolled within the Android 14 Beta program and your machine is supported, Beta 4 can be made accessible to you as an Over The Air replace with out taking any extra motion.
For full info on how one can get the Beta, go to the Android 14 developer web site.
