Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Mobile
  3. News

Have the Android 14 beta on your Pixel? You need to download this update now

By
Sundar Pichai stands in front of a Google logo at Google I/O 2021.
This story is part of our complete Google I/O coverage

Google revealed a bunch of new goodies during its opening keynote for Google I/O 2023, showing off its latest advancements in AI with Bard, as well as the brand new Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet. There was also a sneak peek at upcoming features in Android 14, including new lock screen clocks, shortcuts, and generative AI wallpapers.

If you have a Pixel phone, like the new Pixel 7a or the older Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro, then — surprise — Google is rolling out the Android 14 Beta 2 starting right now.

Google Pixel 7a held in hand showing home screen
Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Trends

This new Android 14 Beta 2 is an “incremental beta-quality release” following the Android 14 Beta 1 software that rolled out last month. There are plenty of bug fixes in this latest beta to help improve overall stability.

Recommended Videos

In Android 14 Beta 2, the issue with platform stability that caused the UI to lag or freeze and apps — or even the entire device — to crash has been fixed.

Related

Some issues arose previously with fingerprint unlock, such as the sensor preventing new fingerprints from being added, and another where a device couldn’t be unlocked with a fingerprint after tapping a notification or notification action on the lock screen. All of these are also fixed with Android 14 Beta 2.

Other notable bug fixes for developer-reported issues include one that caused audio to play through the speakers instead of connected headphones, which could lead to some embarrassing moments. And if you were using a custom launcher, there may have been some issues with gesture navigation. This has also been fixed.

Some other problems that may have come up in previously involve screen problems, like a flickering screen when apps were launched. After entering and exiting picture-in-picture mode or opening the latest thumbnail in the Google Camera app, it would briefly show a green-colored shade over the image. Or you may have noticed that the battery percentage was showing up as 0%, even after a reboot, regardless of the actual charge level. If you encountered any of these problems, Android 14 Beta 2 appears to have eliminated all of them.

If you were having any issues with previous Android 14 builds on your Pixel device, it’s highly recommended to grab the new beta now. Chances are high that your problems will be fixed in this release. You can check out a full list of what was fixed on Google’s website. Of course, this is still a beta, so you may also find some new problems.

When you do find a new bug and need to report it to Google, make sure to do so with the Android Beta Feedback app on your Pixel phone. It’s accessible from the drawer or via Quick Settings.

Android 14 Beta 2 (UPB2.230407.014) also includes the May 2023 security patch. You can grab these updates on your Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5, Pixel 5a, Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, and Pixel 7 Pro.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Christine Romero-Chan
Christine Romero-Chan
Staff Writer, Mobile
Christine Romero-Chan has been writing about technology, specifically Apple, for over a decade. She graduated from California…
Have an old Google Pixel? This camera test will make you want a Pixel 7a
The Pixel 7a and Pixel 4a's camera modules.

Three years separate the Google Pixel 4a and the Google Pixel 7a, and the internal specs and camera hardware are very different. But just how much do you notice when putting the two against each other and taking photos?

If you have a Pixel 4a and are thinking the Pixel 7a would be a good upgrade — or are interested to see how Google has advanced its camera and related software over the past three years — this test is for you.
How the cameras differ

Read more
What’s the inside of a Pixel 7a look like? This cool case shows you
Spigen Ultra Hybrid Zero One Pixel 7a case in hand

This year’s Google I/O 2023 conference has come and gone, but we got a slew of brand-new hardware announcements coming from Google. This includes the Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet. However, there was also a new addition to the Pixel smartphone lineup that you can buy right now — the Pixel 7a. This is the budget version of the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, though you can still buy last year’s Pixel 6a as well.

Despite being the most affordable of the new Pixel lineup, it’s always a good idea to keep it safe in a case. But with so many options of great Pixel 7a cases out there, which one should you pick up? If you’re a techie and appreciate a teardown of the devices that you’re using (without actually tearing it down), then you should check out Spigen’s new Ultra Hybrid Zero One case for the Pixel 7a.
A teardown without the actual teardown

Read more
This tough camera comparison is bad news for the Pixel 7a
Google Pixel 7a vs 6a on top of one another

The Google I/O 2023 keynote has come and gone, and during that two-hour presentation, we got a slew of new Pixel products coming our way — including the new Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet. Google also dropped the new Pixel 7a, which is the most affordable option of the Pixel 7 lineup.

But there was also one more thing — Google decided to keep the Pixel 6a around instead of discontinuing it. So if you want a true budget-friendly Pixel phone, then the Pixel 6a remains a terrific value.

Read more