During Google I/O – in addition to announcing the Pixel 7a, Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet – Google also talked more about the upcoming update to its Android smartphone operating system. For those who don’t count: it’s Android 14.
Android 14 beta 2 has just hit the scene and if you want to install it on your own device – or an aftermarket device – here’s everything you need to know to get it working.
What is the Android 14 beta?
Beta tests are released before a software is officially released and usually follow developer previews. Google offers developer and public betas to gather feedback from developers and daily users, respectively. In these early phases, when the software is still in development, Google also uses betas to fix potential issues and give developers plenty of time to update their apps.
For this reason, we don’t recommend running the Android 14 beta on your primary phone. Use a secondary device instead. If you choose to install the software, be aware that it will be a bit complicated and the apps might not work. I hope everything will be fixed before the final version…
How to Get Android 14 Beta
Android 14 Beta 2 is already available and you can sign up now on compatible devices.
Android Beta Program
Google has made it as easy as possible to try out the Android 14 beta on your device by offering the Android Beta program. This allows anyone registered to update their Android device to the public beta and receive free over-the-air updates.
This same beta program has been used from Android Nougat, through Android Oreo, Pie, Android Q/10, Android 11, Android 12 and Android 13. It’s simple. You don’t need to flash updates or anything that complicated.
Here’s how to start:
- Visit google.com/android/beta to sign up for the Android Beta program.
- Sign in to your Google Account if or when prompted.
- Your eligible devices will be listed on the page, click to enroll in the beta program.
- Go to Settings > System > System update to check available downloads. It should appear in a few minutes.
If you used the Android beta program before the Android 14 beta, you will need to re-register your phone. Once registered, you will continue to be automatically updated to each new version of the Android 14 beta, over the air.
If you don’t want these updates, or decide you no longer want the beta software, you can follow the steps above, but then click “unenroll device”.
Which phones support the Android 14 beta?
You need one of the following Android devices to install the public beta:
- Pixel 4a (5G)
- Pixel 5 and 5a
- Pixel 6 and 6 Pro
- Pixel 6a
- Pixel 7 and 7 Pro
- iQOO 11
- Vivo X90 Pro
- Lenovo Tab Extreme
- Nothing Telephone (1)
- OnePlus 11
- Oppo Find N2 Flip
- Realme GT 2 Pro
- Techno Camon 20
- Xiaomi 13 Pro
- Xiaomi 13
- Xiaomi 12T
As always, the first developer test builds started with just Pixel devices, but Beta 2 has been made available to other devices, and we can expect more as we get closer to a stable release. .
If you only have one phone, we strongly advise against installing early betas – once Android 14 reaches the final stages of development, perhaps around July, the beta will be more stable and will provide a better experience on your phone. .
