What you need to know
- Google has launched the second Android 14 beta.
- The update comes with a number of bug fixes and a few new features.
- Android 14 Beta is slated to reach platform stability in June.
With the Google I/O 2023 keynote over, the company is already getting back to work by launching the latest beta build for Pixel smartphones.
Per the release notes, Android 14 Beta 2 features a lot of bug fixes, which makes sense as the software is expected to reach platform stability by June. You can find the full list of bug fixes below:
- Fixed a platform stability issue that could cause the UI to lag or freeze, apps to crash, or the device to crash. (Issue #270848913, Issue #274339025, Issue #277039789, Issue #256511926, Issue #279246037, Issue #279301937, Issue #279145050, Issue #279288220, Issue #274827412)
- Fixed an issue with the fingerprint sensor that prevented new fingerprints from being added for Fingerprint Unlock in some cases. (Issue #277950569)
- Fixed issues with UPI and biometrics that could cause some apps to not work properly. (Issue #278003306, Issue #277967514, Issue #278043615)
- Fixed an issue where a device couldn't be unlocked using a fingerprint after tapping a notification or choosing a notification action on the lock screen. (Issue #278174846)
- Fixed an issue on some devices that caused sound to play through the speakers instead of headphones that were connected. (Issue #278043129)
- Fixed an issue that caused icons on the home screen to appear almost invisible. (Issue #277970542)
- Fixed issues with gesture navigation that occurred when using a custom launcher:
- The Home screen content wouldn't display and the animation would fail to render when swiping up to go Home. (Issue #277981298)
- The list of recently used apps couldn't be accessed using the normal gesture. (Issue #277983179)
- Fixed issues that prevented users from interacting with notifications in the notification shade. (Issue #278339342, Issue #276534576)
- Fixed an issue that could cause a device to crash after finishing audio or video calls. (Issue #279539689)
Other resolved issues
- Fixed an issue where, after entering and exiting picture-in-picture mode, the screen flickered when any apps were launched.
- Fixed an issue where user restrictions set by DPC admins were not being enforced in Settings.
- Fixed an issue where, after taking pictures with the Google Camera app, opening the latest picture from the thumbnail in the app briefly displayed a green-colored shade over the image.
- Fixed an issue that could cause the battery percentage to be displayed as 0% after a device reboot regardless of the actual charge level of the device.
- Fixed an issue that could cause a device to crash, and then when the device rebooted any wallpapers that were selected before the reboot were reset.
- Fixed issues that prevented the Better Bug app from uploading bug reports.
- Fixed issues that caused the back-to-home gesture to stop working.
- Fixed an issue that could cause the system Settings app to crash repeatedly.
- Fixed an issue that prevented users from searching within the system Settings app.
- Fixed issues that sometimes caused null pointer exceptions for input method editors (IMEs).
- Fixed an issue that sometimes increased system-wide memory usage unnecessarily.
- Fixed system issues that could sometimes cause deadlocks.
In addition to the above, Google also announced several new features available in the second beta. The release notes state that users can find improvements to predictive back animations, full-screen intent notifications, and additional data safety information, which it previously highlighted in a separate post about online safety.
If you're on the beta program, you can update your eligible Pixel smartphone now. If you're not, installing the Android 14 beta is pretty easy, although Android Central's Harish Jonnalagadda noted that there were a lot of bugs in his Android 14 beta 1 hands-on, which were hopefully addressed with this update.
Most Pixels will receive the UPB2.230407.014 build, while the UPB2.230407.014.A1 build rolls out to the Pixel 6 series on Verizon.
The Pixel 7a is the latest Google smartphone, and while it may technically be priced as a mid-range phone, it will surely bring you a flagship experience thanks to the Tensor G2 chipset underneath. And like other Pixels, the 7a will likely be among the first to get new Google software.
