Posted by Dave Burke, VP of Engineering
With at this time’s Android 14 Beta 3 launch, we’re persevering with into the following part of the Android improvement cycle. It builds upon our core themes of privateness, safety, efficiency, developer productiveness, and person customization whereas persevering with to enhance the large-screen system expertise on tablets, foldables, and extra.
Beta 3 takes Android 14 to Platform Stability, which signifies that the developer APIs and all app-facing behaviors at the moment are ultimate so that you can overview and combine into your apps. Thanks for your whole continued suggestions in getting us to this milestone.
There’s loads to discover in Android 14 and take a look at in your apps. As we speak with Beta 3, we’re highlighting new accessibility options corresponding to non-linear font scaling, privateness upgrades together with partial pictures/movies entry, new animation assist in gesture navigation, and options that additional align with the OpenJDK 17 LTS launch.
Platform Stability
With Platform Stability in Beta 3, you may confidently develop and launch any obligatory compatibility updates. Please begin your ultimate compatibility testing now and put together to publish any obligatory updates so you may get invaluable suggestions throughout the the rest of the beta releases. It will assist guarantee a easy app expertise forward of the ultimate launch of Android 14 later this yr.
In the event you develop an SDK, library, device, or recreation engine, it is much more necessary to be testing now so you may launch your suitable updates as quickly as doable to stop your downstream app and recreation builders from being blocked with compatibility points. Additionally, whenever you’ve launched a suitable replace, please make certain to let your builders know.
App Compatibility
Every launch of Android accommodates modifications to the platform that enhance privateness, safety, and the general person expertise. These modifications can have an effect on your apps. Testing your app entails putting in your manufacturing app onto a tool operating Android 14 Beta 3; you should use Google Play or different means. Work by means of all of the app’s flows and search for useful or UI points. Assessment the habits modifications to focus your testing. Modifications which will impression your app embody:
Grant partial entry to pictures and movies.
Knowledge security data is extra seen.
Please overview the habits modifications part to see all the modifications which will impression the compatibility of your app or recreation. In the event you discover any points with libraries and SDKs in your app, attempt updating to the most recent library or SDK model, reaching out to the developer for assist if obligatory.
When you’ve printed the suitable model of your present app, you can begin the course of to replace your app’s targetSdkVersion. Assessment the habits modifications for apps concentrating on Android 14 and think about using the compatibility framework that will help you detect points shortly. Listed here are among the modifications to check for (these apply solely to apps with targetSdkVersion set to API 34 or greater):
Foreground service varieties are required.
Get began with Android 14
As we speak’s Beta 3 launch has every thing you should attempt the Android 14 options, take a look at your apps, and provides us suggestions. For testing your app with tablets and foldables, you may take a look at with units from our companions, however the best option to get began is utilizing the 64-bit Android Emulator system pictures for the Pixel Pill or Pixel Fold configurations discovered within the newest preview of the Android Studio SDK Supervisor. You too can enroll any supported Pixel system right here, together with the brand new Pixel 7a, to get this and future Android 14 Beta and have drop Beta updates over-the-air.
For the very best improvement expertise with Android 14, we suggest that you simply use the most recent launch of Android Studio Hedgehog. When you’re arrange, listed here are among the issues it’s best to do:
- Strive the brand new options and APIs. Report points in our tracker on the suggestions web page.
- Check your present app for compatibility – be taught whether or not your app is affected by default habits modifications in Android 14. Set up your app onto a tool or emulator operating Android 14 and extensively take a look at it.
- Check your app with opt-in modifications – Android 14 has opt-in habits modifications that solely have an effect on your app when it’s concentrating on the brand new platform. It’s necessary to grasp and assess these modifications early. To make it simpler to check, you may toggle the modifications on and off individually.
We’ll replace the beta system pictures usually all through the Android 14 launch cycle.
If you’re already enrolled within the Android 14 Beta program and your system is supported, Beta 3 will likely be made obtainable to you as an Over The Air replace with out taking any further motion.
For full data on tips on how to get the Beta, go to the Android 14 developer website.
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