Android 14: everything you need to know
Android keeps getting better with every release, so we look forward to every update. Here’s everything we know so far about the next generation – Android 14.
When will Android 14 be released?
Although there is no official release date for Android 14 yet, we expect it to appear in Q3 2023. Google has been a little erratic over the past few years with its releases, but they usually drop after the summer. Here’s when the latest full versions debuted:
- Android 13 – August 2022
- Android 12 – October 2021
- Android 11 – September 2020
- Android 10 – September 2019
What will Android 14 be called?
Google has a rather whimsical approach when it comes to the names it gives to each version of Android. These were traditionally based on deserts, but that trend stopped when Android 10 was released in September 2019 and the company went with numbers instead. That didn’t stop the internal codenames from making their way into the public eye, filled with its candy connotations. For example, here’s how the numbered versions of Android have been affectionately referred to internally at Google:
- Android 10 – Quince Pie
- Android 11 – Red Velvet Cake
- Android 12 – Snow Cone
- Android 13 – Tiramisu
As you can probably tell, each build starts with the next letter of the alphabet, which means Android 14’s choice desert will start with U. While that seems like a pretty tough letter to make a pudding reference, 9to5Google reported that Google engineers dubbed it Upside-Down Cake. A bit of a stretch, which is probably why the company is now sticking to version numbers. With Android 14, Google is halfway through the alphabet anyway.
What new features will we see in Android 14?
Not much is known yet about what kind of new features we’ll see when Google pulls the covers off Android 14. This may well end up being another iterative update as Android 12 brought quite a visual overhaul, leaving Android 13 added a few things mostly behind the scenes. But, there are a few things that have started leaking about Android 14.
Satellite calls
In a September 2022 tweet, Google’s senior vice president for Android, Hiroshi Lockheimer, said his team was “designing for satellites.”
Presumably this means being able to make emergency calls via satellite coverage, as we’ve seen in the iPhone 14 lineup. Whether this will work with existing phones or just new ones remains to be seen, although we suspect the latter. .
Predictive rear navigation
If you’ve ever been frustrated pressing the back button or using the swipe gesture to go to a previous page, but instead exited the app, Android 14 might fix that problem.
With apps all applying the back gesture differently, there isn’t always a joint behavior the user can trust. With the new predictive back navigation, you’ll now see a preview of the home screen before completing your order, so you’ll know whether you want to or not. It looks a bit complicated, but in operation it should be simple and prevent you from inadvertently quitting an app. The feature was actually made for Android 13, but it looks like time has passed before that version launched, so it should now debut in Android 14.
Nearby sharing could be limited to Google-licensed phones
This one won’t affect too many people, but Google has confirmed that Nearby Share’s predecessor – Android Beam – is being removed from AOSP (Android Open Source Project). This is only important because Nearby Sharing relies on Google’s mobile services, which means manufacturers who are not signatories to Google’s licensing agreements (such as Huawei) may no longer be able to wirelessly share data via NFC between devices. Most people won’t experience this, but it’s worth pointing out.
Will your phone get Android 14?
Most Android phones released in the past year are expected to transition to Android 14, although how quickly that happens depends on manufacturers when they implement the upgrades. The only way to be sure is to check the manufacturer’s website to see if your handset is listed.
If you find that’s not the case, you can always browse our roundups of the best budget phones, best mid-range phones and best Android smartphones to see if you fancy upgrading to one that will. .
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