Posted by Maru Ahues Bouza, Director, Android Developer Relationship
Android 13 is just a few weeks away! As we put the finishing touches on the next version of Android, today we bring you the latest version of Beta 4 for your testing and development. Now is the time to make sure your apps are ready!
On Android 13, there is much to explore, such as the new Notification License and Photo Selection features, as well as product icons and app language support, as well as advanced standards such as HDR Video, Bluetooth L Audio and MIDI. 2.0 via USB. We have also extended our upgrades to 12L, which will allow you to use better devices than tablets and larger screen devices.
You can try Beta 4 today on your Pixel device by signing up for air updates here. If you are already registered, you will automatically receive today’s update. You can also get the Android 13 beta on selected devices from many of our partners. Visit the Android 13 developer site for details.
Stay tuned for more information on the upcoming official Android 13 release!
What is in Beta 4?
Today’s update includes the Android 13 release for Pixel devices and Android emulator. We’ve got platform format stability in beta 3, so all app-parallel lands are final, with SDK and NDK APIs, application-related system features, and restrictions on non-SDK interfaces. With these and recent fixes and upgrades, Beta 4 gives you everything you need to complete your test.
Set up your apps!
With the official Android 13 release soon, we are asking all app and game developers to do the same. Complete your final compatibility test And Publish your compatibility update Before the final release. It is important to release compatible updates for SDK, library, devices and game engine developers as soon as possible – your bottom app and game developers may be suspended until they receive your updates.
To test the compatibility of your app, just install it on a device running Android 13 Beta 4 and work in app flows, look for any functionality or UI issues. Review Android 13 feature changes so that all apps focus on areas where your app might be affected. Here are some major changes to check out
- Run time permission for notifications – Android 13 has introduced a new running time permit to send notifications from an app. Make sure you understand how the new license works and plan to target Android 13 (API 33) as soon as possible. More here.
- Clipboard preview – Make sure your application hides confidential information such as passwords or credit card information in the new Android 13 clipboard preview. More here.
- JobScheduler Prep – JobScheduler will now try to predict that your app will launch next time and will perform any related pre-production work before then. If you use priorities, check that they are working as expected. More here.
Remember to test the libraries and SDKs in your app for compatibility. If you have any SDK issues, try updating to the latest version of SDK or contact the developer for assistance.
Once you have published the current compatible version of your app, you can begin the process of updating your app’s target optimization. Evaluate the behavior changes that apply when your app targets Android 13 and use the compatibility framework to quickly detect problems.
Supports tablets and large-screens
Android 13 is built on the popular tablet upgrades in 12L, so make sure you look your best on tablets and other large screen devices as part of your test app. You can try out the big screen features by setting up an Android emulator in an Android studio, or you can use a large screen tool from our Android 13 beta partners. Here are some areas to look for
- Taskbar interaction – Check how your app responds on large screens when it appears in the new taskbar. Make sure your app’s UI is not interrupted or closed by the taskbar. More here.
- Multi-window mode – Multi-window mode is now enabled by default for all applications, make sure the app handles the paid screen properly regardless of app configuration. You can try it by dragging and dropping your app into partition mode and adjusting the window size. More here.
- Improved compatibility experience – If your app is not yet ready for tablets, for example, if you use fixed orientation or cannot change the size, check how your app responds to compatibility settings such as Mailbox. More here.
- Media forecast – If your app uses media forecasting, check how your app responds when you play, release or take media on big screens. Be sure to consider device changes for folding devices. More here.
- Camera preview – For camera applications, check how your camera preview UI responds to larger screens when your app is restricted in multi-window or split screen mode. Also, see how your app responds to a bending device layout. More here.
You can read more about the features of the tablet on Android 13 and what to try.
Start with Android 13
Today’s Beta 4 release has everything you need to test your app and test 13 Android features. Simply register your Pixel device to get the update over the air. Configure Android 13 SDK to get started.
You can also test your app on Android 13 Beta on devices from many of our partners. To see the full list of partners, visit android.com/beta to see links to their site on their Beta 1 supported devices and beta builds. Each partner maintains its own subscription and support and provides beta updates directly to you. You can test Beta 4 on Android GSI images even for extensive testing, and if you don’t have a device, you can try it on an Android emulator. For complete details on Android 13, visit the Android 13 developer site.
What’s next?
Check back for more information on the upcoming Android 13 in the coming weeks! In the meantime, feel free to continue sharing your feedback on forum issues, app compatibility issues and third-party SDK issues through our latest details.
Thanks so much to our developers for helping us design the Android 13 release! You’ve provided thousands of bug reports and shared insights that have helped us improve APIs, improve features, fix significant errors, and make the platform more accessible to users and developers.
We look forward to seeing your apps on Android 13!