Android 14, also known as Android Upside Down Cake, is the latest version of the Android operating system, and it’s currently available in its first preview on Pixel 7. Android 14 comes with several big changes and features, which are designed to improve the user experience. Let’s take a closer look at the seven most significant changes in Android 14.
1) Improved Battery Life
One of the most notable changes in Android 14 is the improved battery life. The new operating system has been optimized to use less power from unneeded processes and apps, which helps to conserve the battery. The battery page has also been streamlined, and the battery saver page now displays two different battery savers: the basic battery saver and the extreme battery saver. There is also a new schedule and reminder page, which allows users to turn on the battery saver based on a percentage and turn it off when the phone is charged to 90% and above.
2) Blotware Uninstall Option
Android 14 has introduced a new hidden page called “Apps Installed in the Background.” This page lists all the apps that the device manufacturer installs in the background. These apps are not required by the phone, and users should be able to uninstall them easily right from this option. This feature is super useful for users who want to remove unwanted apps that are installed on their devices.
3) Clone Apps
Android 14 is testing a new Clone Apps feature, which will allow users to have two instances of the same app in case they want to use multiple accounts. This feature is not available in stock Android, but it will be available in Android 14. There is a new Clone Apps option in the Apps page in settings, which will allow users to clone apps without the need for third-party apps or work profiles. This feature is great for people who have two accounts on apps like Snapchat or Facebook.
4) Improved Permissions
When an app asks for permissions for photos and videos, Android 14 now offers a new option in the permission prompt that lets users select which photos and videos they want to share with the app. This new feature is similar to what is available on iPhones, where users can choose to share only selected photos with the app.
5) Improved Guest Account
The Guest account feature in Android is very useful, and it’s getting even better in Android 14. There is a new option under Guest Account settings called “Allow Guests to Use Phone.” This feature was present in Android 13, but it’s now in the front and center of the user account settings in Android 14. With this feature, users can turn off and hide their call logs from the guest user, which is great for privacy.
6) Health Connect Integration
HealthConnect is an app by Google that syncs fitness data from different apps, such as Beat, Samsung Health, Google Fit, and Fitbit. In Android 14, Health Connect is integrated directly into the operating system. Users can manage fitness data from different apps, see what apps are using data, and even block apps they don’t want, all from the Privacy settings in Android 14.
7) Other Minor Changes
Aside from the significant changes mentioned above, Android 14 also comes with several minor changes. For example, there is a new predictive back gesture, which gives users a glimpse of where they are going with the back gesture so they don’t accidentally exit an app. Users can now scale phone sizes up to 200%, which is great for older users or people with eyesight issues. Android 14 also includes a new Fast Pair option in connection preferences.
Overall, the first developer preview of Android 14 brings some exciting features and changes. While there aren’t a lot of user-facing changes, the Blowtve Finder feature (bloatware uninstall option) is something that could be a game changer. We look forward to seeing what other features and changes are added as Android 14 continues to develop.