The first Android 14 beta is here!

After several Android 14 Developer Preview builds, Google has released the first Android 14 Beta 1 update to all supported Pixel phones. If you want to download the Android 14 beta on your Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5, Pixel 5a, Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, or Pixel 7 Pro, today is the day you can do it.

We’ll have a lot more information on what’s new in Android 14 Beta 1 soon, but for a general overview, Google has provided a few items to look out for.

Google re-emphasized its focus on supporting devices of all shapes and sizes, including foldable devices and tablets. They introduce “Smart System UI” with improvements, “you might have noticed them in beta 1”. I love to hear it. They pointed to a fancy new system navigation back arrow (which we knew about from DP builds), a brand new common sheet where apps can add custom actions, and new graphical features for developers to implement (like morphing effects and interpolation).

Again, we’re working on a whole “What’s New” post and will bring it to you soon. UPDATE: Actually there is nothing new from DP2. Dang.

Android 14 Beta 1 Release Notes

Release Date: April 12, 2023
Builds:

• Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, and Pixel 6a devices using Verizon as carrier: UPB1.230309.014.A1.
• All other devices: UPB1.230309.014

Emulator support: x86 (64-bit), ARM (v8-A)
Security Patch Level:

• Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, and Pixel 6a devices using Verizon as carrier: March 2023
• All other devices: April 2023

Google Play Services 09/23/12

How to get Android 14 Beta 1 on your Pixel

When Google opens up Android 14 to the beta program, they are essentially saying that it should be stable enough for general users, assuming these users are willing to accept that some elements may be broken. If anything, this should be confirmation that this is more stable than the developer preview and that Google thinks you can handle it.

As mentioned above, the first Android 14 beta is available for:

• Pixel 4a (5G)
• Pixel 5 and 5a
• Pixel 6 and 6 Pro
• Pixel 6a
• Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro

The easiest wayA: If you have one of these devices, the easiest way to get Android 14 Beta 1 on your device is to sign up for the Android Beta Program (here). You simply click the “Participate” button on this page to join, then sit back and wait for Google to release an update in the form of Android 14 over the air.

Once you sign up, you will go to Settings > System > Advanced > System Update to check it. Google may not promote it right away, but instead may roll it out slowly throughout the day. Either way, feel free to check there to let Google know you want it after you sign up for the program.

Manual way: Do you want to update faster or better to flash a factory image or OTA file via adb to feel more techie, important and smart? This is another option! I’ll go the OTA route, but factory images are available too. You will find Android 14 Beta 1 factory images here and OTA files here. Instructions for flashing the factory image can be found here. Instructions for flashing the OTA ZIP file can be found here.

Already on Android 14 DP buildA: If you’re already on the Android 14 Developer Preview build, Google says you’ll get the Beta 1 update over the air. Of course, you can also manually flash a factory image or OTA file, as processing over the air often takes forever.

Android 13 QPR beta is currently in use.A: For now, it looks like Google will allow people in the Android 13 QPR beta program to directly upgrade to Android 14 Beta 1 without a factory wipe. While they haven’t provided specific instructions for doing so, this should mean de-enrolling into the QPR beta and then enrolling into Android 14 Beta 1. If you don’t do this soon, QPR builds may prevent you from moving straight to 14 Beta assemblies. To share beta software, you can do so on the Android Beta site.

Time to upgrade to Android 14!

Related Posts Android 14 “What’s New”: Developer Preview 1 | Developer Preview 2