Android 14 Beta Problems: 5 Things to Know

Google’s pushed its Android 14 beta to Pixel devices which means we’re starting to learn about the problems plaguing those using the unfinished software.

The official Android 14 release date is still months away, but you can give the new operating system a try right now if you own a Pixel 4a (5G), Pixel 5, Pixel 5a, Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, or Pixel 7 Pro.

The Android 14 beta lets Pixel users try out new features ahead of time and it also helps Google squash bugs and performance issues ahead of the final release later this year.

While you might be weighing a move away from Android 13, beta software isn’t for everyone. The Android 14 beta is pre-release software and early software is often buggy.

In fact, Google’s already called out issues on board the beta. Some issues are minor, others might convince you to keep your Pixel on Android 13.

If you’re debating a move to the Android 14 beta, you should be familiar with these issues before you install the software. And if you’re already running the Android 14 beta on your Pixel device, you should keep an eye out for problems. If you do run into issues, you should report them to Google so the company can improve the final product.

In this guide we’ll take you through the current state of Android 14 beta problems, provide you with places to look for fixes, show you where to find feedback about the Android 14 beta, and show you how to report issues with the software.

Android 14 Beta Problems

Google’s Android 14 beta could have a huge impact on your Pixel’s performance. While some users might see improvements, others will run into bugs and performance issues.

The company’s highlighted several potential issues with the current version of the Android 14 beta, Android 14 beta 5.1. Right now the list includes:

General

• Various stability, battery, or performance issues.
• For users with accessibility needs, this release might not be appropriate for daily use.
• Some apps might not function as expected when running on this release. This limitation includes Google’s apps as well as other apps.

Android Platform

• An issue with the Credential Manager platform APIs causes instability in apps that use them. A fix is available in the latest preview version of the Android 14 SDK, which developers can install using Android Studio. Developers who previously installed a preview version of the Android 14 SDK should completely uninstall the previous version and then reinstall the SDK to apply the fix.
• In some cases, video continues playing in the background even after closing an app if the video was playing in picture-in-picture mode when it was closed.
• A video that is playing in picture-in-picture mode stops playing abruptly if the back gesture is used within the PiP settings screens.
• An issue with the system UI causes the transition from an ongoing call chip to the fullscreen call screen to animate poorly.

You can learn more about these issues, and others, over on Google’s IssueTracker website.

How to Report Android 14 Beta Problems

If you run into bugs or performance issues while running the Android 14 beta, you’ll want to report back to Google. Your feedback will help the company identify, and potentially fix, issues before the official version arrives later on this year.

You can also share feedback directly with Google via the Android 14 Issue Tracker and the Android Beta Feedback app. You can learn more about those over on Google’s website.

You can also share feedback on the Android Beta Reddit.

How to Fix Android 14 Beta Problems

If you encounter an issue with the Android 14 beta, make sure you’re running the latest version. Google recently released Android 14 beta 5.1 and it fixes several issues:

• Fixed an issue that caused the system to stop detecting a SIM card if Fixed Dialing Number (FDN) features were enabled.
• Fixed an issue that caused connectivity interruptions for devices with carriers using 5G standalone (SA) mode.
• Fixed an issue for some devices where a blank home screen displayed after unlocking the device.
• Fixed a performance issue by temporarily disabling feather-styled live wallpaper on Pixel Fold. The live wallpaper version will be re-enabled after the other underlying issues are fixed.

If you’re still having issues and you can’t wait for Google to release the final version of Android 14, you’ll have to try and fix the issue(s) yourself.

The Android Beta Reddit is a great resource for those running into trouble as solutions will be shared there. Same goes for the Pixel Help Forums.

If you’re having trouble installing the Android 14 beta on your Pixel, you’ll want to check out Google’s guide for advice.

If the issues become too frustrating, you can move your device off of the Android 14 beta. However, you won’t be able to unenroll from the beta and go back to a public release until you’ve wiped all locally saved data on your device.

Google also notes that you might encounter issues restoring a backup.

Where to Find Android 14 Beta Feedback

As we push away from the Android 14 beta release, you’ll want to monitor feedback from those testing the software.

We’ve seen feedback emerge on social media sites like Twitter and YouTube. We’ve also seen feedback on Google’s Pixel Help Forums, XDA-Developers, and the Android Beta Reddit.

Short-term feedback about the software is useful, but you’ll also want to make sure you dig into long-term feedback from beta testers if you’re on the fence about a move from Android 13 to Android 14 beta or from one version of the Android 14 beta to another.

What’s Next

Google says Android 14 Beta 5 is the last milestone before the software’s final release.

It hasn’t provided a specific release date yet, but Google says the official Android 14 release for Pixel devices is only weeks away at this point. Look for the release to take place later on this month.

Wait Because the Pixel 8 Release is Close

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Google's Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro will arrive in October, just like the company's Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro did last year. The company's confirmed an October 4th launch event and that's when you can expect the Pixel 8 announcement.  We expect the devices to go on sale shortly afterward culminating with a release sometime later on in the month. If you can hold off on a new smartphone purchase for a few days, we recommend doing so.

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