Top Android 14 Features That You Must Know Right Now

Android 14 is about to launch globally, and we already know what features, upgrades, and improvements are coming. If you want to know about them, this post will introduce and explain the best features and changes with the upcoming Android version update.

Google previewed Android 14 in February 2023, officially announced it in May, and the OS achieved Platform Stability in June. Beta 4 of the OS is already out, and the company is just working on bug fixes and adding the final set of features before the main launch. Let’s take a look at what to expect from Android 14.

What Features Are Coming With Android 14?

Android 14 is right around the corner and is set to bring many great new features. The first developer preview of the OS rolled out in February 2023, following which Google released a couple of beta updates from April to June. As per the initial launch timeline, Google is moving toward platform stability and adding the final round of features before pushing the update to everyone in August.

The OS will ship with many new features, including larger font sizes, a better back gesture, regional preferences, a new Find My Device experience, and loads of AI-based products like Magic Editor and Magic Compose. Along with these features, general improvements in performance, battery life, and other areas are also expected. Here are the new features coming to Android phones with the release of Android 14.

Enhanced Privacy & Security:

Android 14 is excellently upgrading the OS’s privacy and security with several new functionalities. The first one is the photo picker which adds an option to select specific photos and videos to allow access to apps instead of the whole gallery. Apple added a similar feature to iPhones with iOS 14.

Partial selection

With this functionality, apps won’t be able to access entire files but only the ones you want to permit. The next security upgrade is that Google won’t allow users to install older apps from Android 5.1 and before on Android 14 devices. This is because malware usually targets older Android versions due to the security enhancements on the newer versions.

Google is also adding a very useful feature called Tracker Prevention Alerts which notifies you and your loved ones when an unidentified tracker is following you. This feature will work regardless of device you and your stalker are using. Apple has partnered with Google to roll out this much-needed security booster.

Tracker prevention

Google is also set to add Emergency SOS via Satellite on Android 14 just like Apple introduced the feature with iPhone 14 last year. It was confirmed by Hiroshi Lockheimer, Google’s senior vice president. However, more details are not available about this functionality yet.

Other than these, Google is also adding minor tweaks to boost the security and privacy aspects of Android devices. They are improving support for authentication with Passkey by enabling biometric login instead of using passwords for more apps.

Improved Battery & Camera:

With the upcoming version upgrade, Google is also improving the two major areas of concern for Android users. Android 14 will improve the operating system’s efficiency to reduce power drainage. It tweaks how the OS handles background processes, downloads, and uploads, with other tasks.

This allows Android users to extend their battery life, and the phone battery stays healthier for longer periods. There are also reports that Google is returning the feature to check “screen time since last full charge” in the battery settings menu. It was removed with Android 12.

Battery usage

Google is also adding a new camera extension with Android 14 which helps reduce post-processing time and quality of images. It will be compatible with all devices but, most notably, support the in-house Tensor G2 chip. So, you’ll notice the real enhancements while clicking pictures on certain Pixel devices.

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Health Connect:

If you are a fitness freak, Google simplifies things with Health Connect. It allows users to centralize health and fitness data and share it across different apps and services. Users who use different apps for running, sleeping, hydration, and food will benefit the most from this.

Health Connect

The feature is in the beta phase, and Google is thoroughly testing it. According to tipsters, it will come preinstalled on all Android 14 devices.

Notification Flashes:

Google is also adding built-in Notification Flashes on Android 14. Users can turn the feature on or off by going to Settings -> Display -> Flash notifications -> Toggle on Camera Flash and/or Screen Flash. The camera or screen will flash for notifications when they enable the feature.

Flash notifications

This feature is useful for users who check their phones in noisy surroundings and can’t hear sounds. It was previously available on Android devices with third-party apps and certain UIs but now Google is making it a part of the operating system.

Regional Preferences:

Google is also improving support for regional preferences such as temperature in Celsius or Fahrenheit, Monday or Sunday as the start of the week, specific calendars and numerals, and certain other things for Android users with version 14.

Regional preferenes

These settings will be saved as part of the backup and restore. Android 14 will also enhance compatibility for gendered languages such as French and better language customization based on region.

Predictive Back Gestures:

Android 14 will add a prominent back arrow that matches your wallpaper or theme for clearer gesture navigation. It will be coupled with predictive back gestures, providing a glimpse of the screen to which a swipe-back gesture will lead you.

Back gesture

This makes it simpler for users to know where they are navigating to. It isn’t obvious because a back swipe can lead to multiple destinations, including the home screen, the previous screen, or an app.

Better Large Screen Support & Scaling:

Android 14 will also introduce better compatibility with large screen devices such as tablets and foldable by scaling fonts up to 200 per cent. Currently, it is limited to 130 per cent on Google Pixel phones with Android 13. This will make the user experience more convenient for tablet users.

Better Scaling

Google also ensures not to overwork scaling as elements that have already scaled up, like headings, won’t grow larger. This would make the entire text highly readable for everyone, including users with vision impairment.

Best Android 14 Confirmed & Upcoming Features:

Some other notable Android 14 features have been confirmed to arrive with the main update but haven’t come to their finalization yet. Many of these have reached beta stages and will become a part of the version upgrade soon.

Lockscreen Customization Options:

An option to customize your lock screen is one of the highlights of Android 14. It allows you to tweak how your screen lock appears and includes the clock, app shortcuts, and other elements on the screen.

Lockscreen customization

Google revealed the first few snaps of lock screen customizations at the I/O keynote. Fans didn’t like the initial glimpses, but the final versions are expected to be impressive.

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Magic Compose:

Magic Compose is an upcoming feature that lets users write or rewrite text using generative AI. You can use it to reframe your messages in different moods. Google announced that the feature would be coming to Pixel devices this summer. However, it should also become available to other Android 14 devices later on.

Magic Compose

The company also revealed that Magic Compose will be integrated into Google’s Workspace apps. However, no timeline was given for that.

Charging Pill:

Android 14 introduced a new UI feature called Charging Pill with the latest beta. It adds a new animated pill on the screen when you plug in the charger to your device. Tipsters believe that the feature was revealed accidentally.

Charging pill

When you tap on the pill, nothing happens as of now. However, Google may customize it a bit. Or, it’ll only remain as a cool materialist element of the Material You themes.

Auto-Confirm Unlock:

Android is moving onto the iOS route, and users won’t have to press the tick button after entering their passcode to unlock their device anymore with Android 14. The upcoming version upgrade adds an Auto-confirm unlock feature to unlock the device when you enter the correct passcode.

Auto confirm unlock

However, this feature will only work with six-digit passwords. Go to Settings > Security and Privacy > Device Unlock > Gear Icon > Turn on Auto-confirm unlock to enable auto-confirm to unlock.

App Cloning & Movements:

Android 14 also adds App Cloning, allowing users to create two instances of any app. Users must install additional apps or third-party launchers to find this utility, but Google is finally adding the much-needed functionality as a native app.

App cloning

Another useful feature that Google adds to Android 14 is the ability to drag and drop texts or images between apps. You have to select the text, long press on it, and then drag it to another app to paste it there. Apple introduced a similar functionality with iOS 15.

New Find My Device UI:

With the upcoming version upgrade, Google is also updating the Find My Device user interface. The overhauled UI will look similar to Android’s latest design language. The company is also adding more features with the new look.

Find my UI

Find My Device will support a broader range of devices and will let you find your phones and accessories using other Android devices in the network. It will also work with tracker tags developed by companies like Tile and Chipolo, similar to Apple’s AirTags.

Android Mobile To Webcam:

The webcam of desktops and laptops is pretty basic, and the video quality is restricted to only 720p. Google is solving this problem with Android 14 by allowing smartphones to work as the webcam for your PC. You can plug your device into the computer using a data cable and your external camera like a webcam.

Phone to Webcam

It would allow you to stream at 1080p. This feature will be pretty simple as the interface will allow you to choose “webcam” when you connect your phone to your  PC using a suitable cable.

Generative AI, Custom Emojis, And Cinematic Wallpapers:

Google is extending Android’s abilities for customization using Generative AI, Custom Emojis, and Cinematic Wallpapers with Android 14. The OS will allow users to choose some emojis, a dominant colour, then mashes up everything to create an interactive wallpaper.

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The feature is available only for Pixel users but will surely be added to more Android devices soon. In addition, users can also type a few words, and the AI Generative Wallpaper feature will process it to churn out a beautiful image to use as the background for your screen.

AI Wallpapers

Finally, there is Cinematic Wallpaper which lets users choose a photo and then the OS adds depth and a parallax effect using AI. So, the final result is gorgeous, and your device will look stunning.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What are the features of Android 14?

A: Here is a quick list consisting of the key Android 14 features that you shouldn’t miss:
Health Connect
Notification Flashes
App Cloning
Magic Compose
Generative AI Wallpapers
Charging Pill
Auto-Confirm Unlock
Predictive Back Gesture
Regional Preferences
Partial Screen Recorder
Improved Privacy & Security
Better Battery & Camera

Q: What’s new in the Android 14 update?

A: Google is adding new features to the Android 14 update, including App Cloning, Magic Compose, the ability to use your phone as a webcam, Predictive Back Gesture, and several others. The company also enhances customization options using Generative AI for wallpapers and themes.

Q: Is Android 14 better than Android 13?

A: Yes, Android 14 will be better than Android 13 with the wide range of new features, upgrades, and bug fixes. Google is significantly improving the privacy and security of the OS and enhancing battery optimization. The new update will allow your camera to perform better and click clearer images.

Q: Will Android 14 improve battery life?

A: Android 14 will significantly improve your device’s battery life as Google boosts the operating system’s efficiency to reduce power drainage. Your device will tweak the background processes, downloads, uploads, and other tasks, to use the least amount of power needed to provide the best efficacy.

Final Words:

Android 14 brings many cool features and improvements to make it the best OS available. These are the highlights of the upcoming version upgrade that’ll force you to update your device as soon as possible. Remember that not all of these features will be available to everyone at launch.

They’ll be released gradually over the next feature minor updates. If you cannot find any feature, please let us know, and we’ll try figuring out its cause. That’s it for this guide. Don’t forget to tell us which new or upcoming feature did you like the most using the comment box.

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