As we get nearer and nearer to the official release of Android 14, we’ve seen a steady supply of beta builds to give users a better preview of what they can expect once the latest version of Google’s flagship operating system lands for smartphones the world over. With that in mind, the fourth beta build of Android 14 has recently gone live for compatible Google Pixel devices.
It’s also worth noting that Beta 4 will also be available on two of Google’s newest devices, the Pixel Fold and the Pixel tablet. It’s no secret that Android 14 is also being optimised for larger-screened devices, and given Google’s recent push towards adding foldables and tablets into the mix, this is not at all surprising.
Google does advise developers that it’s important now to release any and all significant updates, especially if they work with SDKs, libraries, tools and game engines – this serves to prevent their downstream apps and game developers from being blocked with compatibility issues. As per Google’s official webpage:
“Each release of Android contains changes to the platform that improve privacy, security, and the overall user experience. These changes can affect your apps. Testing your app involves installing your production app onto a device running Android 14 Beta 4; you can use Google Play or other means. Work through all the app’s flows and look for functional or UI issues. Review the behavior changes to focus your testing.”
If you’re already enrolled in the Beta program with your Google Pixel phone, you can expect to get the update through an OTA download. If you haven’t tried out the Beta yet and own a compatible device, then there are steps to follow to get a taste of what Android 14 is like.
Users will need to proceed to Google’s Android 14 Beta enrolment page, and sign into their Google account to view which of their devices are eligible for the Beta software. Upon opting in a device, a user will then be prompted to select the beta program they’d like to enroll in, after which they’ll need to accept the Android Beta Program Terms of Service. It should be noted that the Beta version is of course unstable and might come with performance issues and bugs.
Should a user wish to roll back to a stable Android build, they’ll need to wipe their device beforehand, and it is recommended that they back up any important files and data from their device. Not doing so prevent users from un-enrolling to a stable public version of Android.
