BETA YOURSELF ANDROID 14

It's time for millions of Android smartphones to get a fresh lick of paint. Craig Grannell digs into the best new features that will help your handset feel rejuvenated all over again...

- Craig Grannell

THE BASICS

Hit and hope

You're at the mercy of your device's maker regarding when/if you'll actually get Android 14, and which goodies will end up on your blower. The tips here are for vanilla Android - your options might differ. If you have a Pixel 4a or newer, head to 'System update' in the settings to check if the revamped OS is waiting for you.

Lock it down

Security is a major part of Android 14. It'll block ancient apps built for Android 5.1 or older - although anything already on your phone will still run. Passkey support is improved, and there are new PIN input options. In 'Security and privacy'> 'Device unlock > 'Screen lock', you can disable animations to thwart people nosing over your shoulder as you type to unlock.

Share the love

Android has a default share sheet, but some apps override it to add custom components. Android 14 seeks to stop this by giving app creators 'Chooser Action' slots that surface key commands within the standard share sheet. The redesign also makes it clearer what your action will do, such as sharing a link or an image.

Check your battery

Android 14 is optimised for battery life, and tracking options are improved. In Settings > Battery > 'Battery usage', there's a welcome return for 'Screen time since last full charge', which helps you understand phone use. For background drainage, dig into 'View by systems' to see what's eating your battery.

Take up a tab

Google has had an on/off relationship with tablets, but the new Pixel Tablet suggests the company is taking them seriously again. In May it claimed it would optimise 50 apps for larger displays; by the time you read this, the fruits of that effort should already be clear.

Face to space