Android

Best Android 14 Features (New and Upcoming) 2024

The past couple of Android versions brought some of the major upgrades Android has gotten since its inception. Android 12 introduced Material You, which brought much-needed UI changes, and Android 13 added quality-of-life improvements over Android 12, making it a more polished experience. Much like Android 13, Android 14 may seem like an incremental upgrade, but you would be surprised by just how many internal changes it brings to improve the overall Android experience. Let’s look at the 29 best Android 14 features as of Android 14 December Feature Drop.

Best Android 14 Features

1. Photo Picker

In the past, apps had unrestricted access to all of your media storage, which raised privacy concerns. Allowing an app to have access to your entire library was not ideal. However, Android 14 has addressed this issue by introducing the Photo Picker feature. With this new interface, you are now able to selectively choose which photos you want to give access to, ensuring that the app does not have access to all of your photos.

Android 14 photo picker

Apps like WhatsApp and Telegram already utilize the Photo Picker API. If an app has the ability to access your entire collection of photos and videos, you have the option to adjust the permissions. Instead of allowing access all the time, you can change it to prompt you for permission each time.

Status: Live

2. Notification Flashes

The Notification Flashes feature is really handy for those who often use their phones in loud places and can’t hear notifications. It’s also great for people with hearing difficulties. To turn the feature on/off, go to Settings -> Display -> Flash notifications -> Toggle on Camera Flash and/or Screen Flash.

Notification flashes

You can also select different colors for the screen flashes and see a preview of how they will appear before closing the prompt.

Status: Live

3. Camera and Battery Life Improvements

Android 14 brings along various enhancements that aim to improve the overall user experience. Google claims that this new version is designed to be more energy-efficient, prioritizing battery consumption optimization. Additionally, users can expect a range of quality of life improvements, both in terms of the user interface and internal functionalities. These enhancements work in tandem to ensure a smoother and more seamless experience for Android users.

Android 14 battery improvements

Android 14 introduces new camera enhancements that improve the speed and quality of image processing. This upgrade will be particularly noticeable on Pixel devices equipped with the Tensor G2 chip, which also brings significant improvements to the Camera department.

Status: Live

4. Lockscreen Customizations

Android 14 has introduced exciting new options for customizing your lock screen. With a variety of clock designs to choose from, each featuring smooth animations, your home screen can now have a fresh and stylish look. Additionally, you can personalize your lock screen by adding app shortcuts to the lower corners, making it even more convenient to access your favorite apps.

Android 14 lockscreen customizations

The stable release of Android 14 is expected to be available next month, provided everything goes according to plan for Google. However, it’s worth noting that the lock screen clock styles showcased at I/O aren’t particularly attractive. Hopefully, the final versions will have a more vibrant appearance compared to the current flat-looking styles.

Status: Live

5. Magic Compose

Magic Compose, a feature announced by Google, is set to arrive on Pixels this Summer. Although it has been rolled out to some users last month, the majority are still waiting for its availability. Similar to the AI generative features showcased at I/O 2023, which will be integrated into Google’s Workspace apps later on, Magic Compose in the Messages app allows users to compose text messages in various moods. The preview presented at I/O gives a glimpse of its impressive functionality.

Magic Compose Google Messages

Magic Compose in the preview displayed different rewrites for the text message “Wanna grab dinner,” ranging from exciting additions to lyrical or Shakespearean versions. It would be great if this feature also becomes available on Gboard in the future, as it seems like Google’s way of encouraging more people to use RCS and Google Messages. It’s important to note that this feature is currently exclusive to Pixel devices.

Status: Rolling out

6. App Pair

During the Pixel Fold announcement at Google I/O 23, Google revealed a new feature called app pairing that will be available on Android 14 later this year. With app pairing, you can use two apps at the same time, side by side on your screen. You can also minimize or maximize both apps together.

App pairCredits: Mishaal Rahman

While this feature may not appear particularly beneficial for smartphones, it could actually be the game-changer for Android tablets as they compete head-to-head with iPads, especially considering the increasing popularity of tablets.

Status: Live

7. Charging Pill

Pixel 6 new battery pill

The new Android 14 update brings a cool addition to your Pixel device. When you connect your phone to charge, a stylish animated pill appears on the screen. This small change in the user interface adds a touch of visual appeal and is in line with the recent Material You updates.

Status: Live

8. Android 14 Easter Egg

The new Android 14 easter egg leads us to a game (!?). If you’re already on Android 14, you can try it out by going to Settings > About Phone > Android version > Tap Android version thrice.

Android 14 Easter egg Beta

When you locate the Easter Egg, it might seem like just a basic one at first. However, there’s actually a hidden game within it. To access the game, simply press and hold the Android 14 logo. You’ll feel a slight vibration as the logo starts to zoom. Keep holding it until you’re able to play a fun rocket game where you have to navigate and find seven different objects. It’s really neat!

Status: Live

9. Phone’s Manufacturing Date

Android 14 Device manufacture date

In Android 14, you can now easily find out the year your phone was made. Just go to Settings > About Phone > Model to see the date of manufacture. Alongside the Hardware version, Serial number, and model, you’ll find the Manufactured year. This feature might not seem very useful, but it can come in handy when purchasing refurbished or used devices without their original retail packaging.

Status: Live

10. Auto-confirm Unlock

Gone are the days of having to press the “tick” button after entering your passcode to unlock your Android device. With the introduction of Android 14, a new feature called Auto-confirm unlock eliminates this hassle. As the name suggests, it automatically unlocks your device when you enter the correct passcode, without requiring an extra button press.

Auto-confirm unlock Android 14

Although, do note that this only works for six-digit passcodes. To toggle on this feature go to Settings >Security and Privacy > Device unlock > Gear Icon > Toggle on Auto-confirm unlock. Pretty nifty.

Status: Live

11. Revamped Pixel Updates Section

Pixel New Updates UI

Google has finally given the update section in Pixels a fresh new look to match the current style of Android 14. The section now offers three options: Pixel System Update, Google Play System update, and App updates. These options are pretty self-explanatory and make it easier for users to understand their purpose.

Status: Live (Disappeared in Android 14 QPR2 Beta 2)

12. Battery Charge Cycles Count

Battery Cycles

Originally intended to be included in Android 14, there were plans for a feature that would allow users to check the battery health, number of charge cycles, and manufacturing date. Although the latter two features were successfully implemented, there is currently no official method to check the battery’s health. However, it is still possible to utilize certain apps that make use of the new battery APIs in order to assess the battery health of your Android device.

Status: Live

13. Separate Ring and Notification volumes

In the past, previous versions of Android had a single volume setting for both ring volume and notifications. This led to a strange situation where if you wanted your phone to ring quietly, your notifications would also be quiet, causing confusion when receiving notifications. However, with the introduction of Android 14, this problem has been resolved by separating the volume controls for ringtone and notifications.

Volume settings on Android 14

Speaking of volume, the icon for “silent” mode has also been changed from a crossed bell icon to a crossed speaker icon. A small but important change.

Status: Live

14. Drag and Drop Text and Images to Different Apps

One of the highlights of iOS 15 was the text and images drag and drop feature, and the same should is now available on Android 14 and works like a charm.

Copy and drag the text to different appCredits: @nailsad_eleos on Telegram

All you need to do is select the text, long press and drag it, use your other hand to switch to another app where you want to paste the text, and drop the text in the text area.

Status: Coming Soon

15 Emoji, Generative AI, and Cinematic Wallpapers

Android has always been known for its customization options, and the latest update brings even more ways to personalize your device. One of the exciting new features is the Emoji wallpaper picker, which allows you to choose a few emoji and a dominant color. The system then combines them to create an interactive wallpaper with your favorite emoji. It’s a fun and unique way to make your Android device truly yours. Additionally, the update introduces Generative AI wallpapers, currently available only on the Pixel 8 series. These wallpapers use advanced artificial intelligence to create stunning visuals that change over time. Lastly, there are Cinematic wallpapers, although they are not yet widely available for most users. With all these new customization options, Android users can truly make their devices stand out from the crowd.

Emoji Wallpaper

Our personal favorite among the top features of Android 14 is the AI Generative Wallpaper. During Google’s I/O event, they demonstrated how you could provide prompts through the keyboard to generate wallpapers. However, the current version of the Generative AI feature only offers limited prompts and lacks a manual input option. As a result, users are presented with a small selection of unique wallpapers that Google claims are completely exclusive and one-of-a-kind.

Cinematic Wallpaper

With the new Android 14 update, you can now enjoy cinematic wallpapers on your device. These wallpapers use AI technology to add depth and a parallax effect to your chosen photo. As a result, when you tilt your device, the wallpaper will move in sync with your movements. This feature is similar to the Cinematic option found in Google Photos.

Status: Live (Cinematic Wallpapers unavailable on most devices)

16. Tracker Prevention and Alerts

Tracker alerts

Google and Apple may not have been successful in convincing each other about adopting RCS, but they have collaborated on privacy features, such as Tracker Prevention alerts. Regardless of the Android device you use, if a tracker is following you without your knowledge, your Android device will notify you and assist in locating it. This is a significant victory for consumers.

Status: Coming Soon

17. Using your Android device as a Webcam

The quality of webcams on most laptops is really low, only 720p. If you were thinking about buying an external webcam, maybe wait because Android 14’s December Feature Drop will include a feature that lets you use your Android device as a camera and stream at a higher quality of 1080p.

Webcam Android 14

To use this feature, simply access the menu that appears when you connect your Android device to a computer. From there, choose the “webcam” option to switch to using your phone’s camera. Google activated this functionality with the December Pixel Feature Drop update.

Status: Live

18. Partial Screen Recorder

The name of this feature doesn’t really describe what it does. When we say “partial,” you might think that the screen recorder will only record a specific area, but that’s not the case. Instead, it will record a particular app. It’s possible that partial screen recording will be included in the official release of Android 14, allowing you to record an app without any user interface elements or notifications showing up in the recordings.

Android 14 partial ScreenshotCredits: Mishaal Rahman

Like Discord, if you move to view another app or home screen, the recorded content will be black and will be visible as soon as you switch back to the app you want to record. Pretty neat.

Status: Live

19. The Ability to Turn Off At a Glance Widget

Some people really like Google’s At a Glance, while others don’t want it on their homescreen. Unfortunately, removing the At a Glance widget isn’t currently an option. However, Google has heard the feedback from users and will be adding it to the Pixel Launcher in the future.

The Pixel Launcher is FINALLY preparing to add a toggle that lets you HIDE the At a Glance widget from the home screen. After the widget is hidden, the space underneath it is open to other apps/widgets!This toggle is not visible yet, so I had to manually activate it! pic.twitter.com/JQ3qIVJAMm— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) November 15, 2023

Currently, the feature is included in the [Android 14 QPR2 Beta 1 update](https://beebom.com/android-14-qpr2-beta-1-released-features/), but it is currently locked behind a flag. However, it is expected to be enabled soon through a server-side switch. Once this happens, users will have the ability to hide it, resulting in a cleaner home screen.

Status: Coming Soon

20. New Privacy Indicator UI

New Microphone and Camera Privacy Indicator

Privacy Indicators were introduced in Android 12 and they continue to be one of the top privacy features on Android. However, in the latest Android 14 Quarterly Releases, these indicators have received a minor user interface update. Now, when the microphone or camera is being used, a small pop-up will appear when tapped instead of opening the full-screen Safety Center.

Status: Live

21. Repair Mode

Repair Mode in Android 14

In Android 14 QPR1 / December Feature Drop, Google introduced Repair Mode, which does exactly what its name implies. This mode places your device into a state where sensitive applications cannot be accessed. It is similar to Samsung’s maintenance mode and aims to provide users with peace of mind when leaving their phones at repair centers, whether they are official or unofficial.

Status: Live

22. Improved Quick Access in Landscape

Pixel Quick Access vs Nothing Quick AccessTop – Nothing OS; Bottom – Pixel UI

Android 14 will introduce an improved Quick Access experience, enhancing the usability of Quick Setting tiles and notifications in landscape mode. The new design is reminiscent of Nothing OS, where tiles are positioned on the left side and notifications on the right side when the device is in landscape orientation. Take a look at the current layout compared to the upcoming change.

Status: Coming Soon

23. Bluetooth Tile Enhancement

In the Quick Settings, you can easily turn Wi-Fi on or off and connect to or disconnect from networks using the Wi-Fi tile. However, the Bluetooth tile doesn’t work the same way. Instead, you have to long-press it to access the Bluetooth settings and manage your Bluetooth devices.

Google Pixel Revamped Bluetooth Quick SettingsImage Courtesy: Mishaal Rahman, Android Police

Google is planning to make a big change in the upcoming March Feature Drop. They will be adding a new feature that allows users to easily switch or forget Bluetooth devices directly from the Quick Settings. This new feature will work similar to a Wi-Fi tile, providing a convenient and comprehensive way to manage Bluetooth connections. It’s an exciting update that will make it much easier for Android users to control their Bluetooth devices.

Status: Coming Soon

24. Reorganized App Battery Usage Settings

Google Pixel Revamped App Battery usage

Before the December Feature Drop, the “App battery usage” section had three options — Optimized, Restricted, and Unrestricted. However, now there’s only one toggle to “Allow background usage.”

Status: Live

25. Share Wi-Fi From Quick Settings Tile

Google Pixel Share Wi-Fi option

In the latest update released in December, another cool feature was included in the Wi-Fi Quick Settings tile. When you tap on the Wi-Fi tile, you will now see a button called “Share Wi-Fi” at the bottom left corner. This button allows you to easily share the Wi-Fi network credentials you’re currently connected to, without having to go through the Settings menu. It’s a convenient way to quickly share Wi-Fi information with others.

Status: Live

26. App Cloning

Android 14 is set to introduce a highly anticipated feature called App Cloning. In the past, users had to resort to downloading app cloning utilities that often contained spyware. However, Google has addressed this issue by including a native App Cloning utility in Android 14. This exciting feature allows users to have two instances of an app on their device. Say goodbye to the hassle of using third-party apps for app cloning, as Android 14 will make it easier than ever before.

Cloned apps Android 14Credits: Mishaal Rahman

If you have a phone with two SIM cards and you want to use two WhatsApp accounts simultaneously, you can clone the WhatsApp app. This allows you to log in using your secondary SIM card and have two separate WhatsApp accounts running. App Cloning was initially mentioned by Google in the Android 14 Developer Preview 1, but there haven’t been any recent updates on its progress. It is speculated that App Cloning may not be included in the first stable Android 14 update, but Pixel users can expect to receive it in future feature drop updates for Android 14.

Status: Coming Soon

27. Predictive Back Gestures

The Android 14 Developer Preview 2 introduced a feature called predictive back gestures, but unfortunately, it didn’t last long and was removed in the subsequent Developer Preview. In Android apps, layers are utilized to store information about different app pages. For instance, if you’re currently in the Display section of the Settings app, it is considered as a layer on top of the main Settings app layer.

Predictive back gestures

With the predictive back gestures feature on Android 14, you have the ability to slowly swipe back and uncover the layer beneath. This comes in handy when you can’t remember what was on the page or layer below the one you’re currently viewing. If you’re looking at something important and want to make sure you don’t lose its contents while ensuring that the last layer is the one you want to visit, simply hold the back gesture and check if it’s the layer you wish to navigate to.

In Android 14 Beta, the feature of enabling it needs to be done in the Developer options. However, not all apps support this feature. Previously, in DP2, it was automatically enabled and only available in Settings and a few other system apps.

Status: Live (Available in Developer Options)

28. New Find My Device Experience

The Find My Device application recently received an update to its user interface to align with the latest design language of Android. In the coming months, it will also introduce a few new functionalities. Find My Phone will now support a wider range of devices, allowing you to locate your phones and accessories using other Android devices on the same network.

Find My Device experience Android 14

Android has finally caught up with Apple by introducing its own version of Find My iPhone. This is a highly anticipated feature that Android users have been waiting for. Now, you can easily track down your lost or stolen Android device just like iPhone users have been able to do for years. Additionally, if you need to locate other valuable items such as your bicycle or larger objects, there are tracker tags available from manufacturers like Tile and Chipolo that are compatible with Android’s Find My Device feature. This means you can keep tabs on all your important belongings using the same convenient tracking system.

Status: Coming Soon

29 . Forced Themed Icons

App developers may face a challenge with the adaptive mono icons introduced in Android 12. It is necessary for them to add support for these icons; otherwise, the overall experience may seem incomplete. However, in the Android 13 QPR Beta updates, Google revealed a new feature that automatically converts icons to themed icons if they are not supported by developers. This feature might also be present in Android 14.

themed icons comparison

The Pixel launcher currently has a hidden option that makes icons match the theme. This option has been present in the operating system since Android 13 QPR Beta 3, so it’s possible that Google will activate it in the future. If this feature is enabled, it will enhance the Android experience by making it more seamless and user-friendly.

Status: Coming Soon

Back to top button

Adblock Detected

Please Close Adblock Extension