Google Rolls Out Android 14 Beta Update For Pixel Phones: How To Install, New Features And More

Alphabet Inc.'s GOOG GOOGL Google is rolling out a new Android 14 beta update that brings several important new features to Pixel phones.

What Happened: Google has started pushing the Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1 update for its Pixel smartphones, giving users an early glimpse into the new features that will be a part of its quarterly feature drop.

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Google was expected to release the stable Android 14 update before rolling out the next phase of beta releases, however, we now have the first quarterly platform release (QPR) beta update already.

The stable version of Android 14 is now expected to launch with the Google Pixel 8, which is scheduled for Oct. 4.

On a positive note, if you have an eligible Pixel phone, you can now experience upcoming Android 14 features even before the Pixel 8 gets it. Here's what you need to know.

Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1: Eligible Devices

The Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1 update is available for the following devices:

• Pixel 5a
• Pixel 6 and 6 Pro
• Pixel 6a
• Pixel 7 and 7 Pro
• Pixel 7a
• Pixel Fold
• Pixel Tablet

How To Download And Install Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1

While the name is a mouthful, you can download and install the Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1 update fairly easily.

Follow these steps:

• Sign up for the Android Beta program here.
• Your eligible devices will be listed – choose the device and tap the opt-in button.
• Now, open the Settings app on your phone and go to System > System Update.
• Tap on the Check for Updates button.

The latest Android 14 beta update will now become available for your device. Tap on the ‘Download’ button and follow the on-screen instructions.

Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1: New Features

This Android 14 beta update comes with some important new features, including the ability to check battery health and charge cycles, manually forcing aspect ratios for apps, which is useful on foldable phones, and more.

Here are the top features:

Use Pixel Phone As A Webcam

Google has added the ability to use Pixel phones as webcams in the Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1 update, catching up to Apple which added this feature last year.

Find out more on how to use your phone as a webcam here.

Battery Cycle Count

After numerous complaints about the iPhone 14's battery capacity declining rapidly within a year, Apple introduced the ability to check the battery cycle count in the iPhone 15 series.

Google has quickly closed that feature gap with this Android 14 beta update, allowing Pixel phone users to check how many times their phone's battery has completed full 100% charging cycles.

Fix Letterboxed Apps

Letterboxed apps on foldable phones are cumbersome to use – these apps leave black or white space on the left and ride sides when the internal foldable display is opened.

While getting third-party app developers and Android phone makers to optimize their software for foldable phones is a longer-term task, Google has a fix in the interim for users.

When an unoptimized app is opened, Google will now show a button to force the app to fill the screen.

Other new features include a new lockscreen clock style, and the ability to use lockscreen wallpapers as screensavers, too.

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