That’s it. Android 14 is now officially available. While the final versions of Android were until now launched between the end of August and the beginning of September, Google has decided, for Android 14, to embrace a slightly different launch schedule. This year, the Mountain View giant decided to delay the deployment of its new mobile operating system by a few weeks in order to make it coincide with the launch of its new Pixels.
And it’s Google’s smartphones that are the first to be served. In addition to the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro which have just been announced and which run Android 14 straight away, you will be able to take advantage of the latest version of Google’s mobile OS right now if you own a Pixel 4a (5G), Pixel 5, Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, or even a Pixel 7a.
For owners of smartphones from other manufacturers, you will need to be a little more patient. The first terminals other than those from Google to be able to run Android 14 should nevertheless arrive very quickly, in the coming weeks.
If you are already lucky enough to be able to use Android 14 on your device, here are some tips which will allow you, once perfectly mastered, to get the most out of this new version of Android.
1. Personalize the lock screen
Android 14 now allows you to customize the lock screen on your smartphone. You can, among other things, add shortcuts to quickly access certain features of your device without having to unlock the screen of your device.
To do this, hold your finger on the locked screen of your smartphone and select Customize lock screen, then unlock your device. Then select a clock type you like by scrolling through them, and press Clock size and color.
Customize the system colors, select a wallpaper, then click Shortcutsadd the shortcuts you need to the bottom left and right of the screen.
2. Display a Charging Widget
If you have several mobile devices (smartphone, connected watch, headphones or Bluetooth speaker, etc.), know that it is now possible to monitor the status of their charge directly from the screen of your smartphone. Android 14 actually introduces a dedicated widget that will allow you to keep an eye on the battery of your different devices.
To activate it, hold your finger on the home screen of your smartphone, and select Widgets. Then locate the Battery Widgetand integrate it directly onto the screen of your smartphone.
3. Drag and drop text and images into your apps
You probably don’t know it, but you can now, just like on your computer, drag and drop text or images from one application to another. All you have to do is select the item, then hold your finger on it while you open another app to drop the content into it.
4. Limit app access to certain photos
You can now select which photos you allow access to certain apps. If you haven’t done it the first time you open an app (Some photos and videos button), don’t panic, it’s still possible to limit the photos that certain apps installed on your device can access.
To do this, go to the Settings from Android, then in Security and Privacyenter the menu Confidentiality. Then go to the Authorization Managerthen in Photos and videosselect the app for which you want to change permissions, and choose Always ask.
When you reopen the application, it should display a discreet menu allowing you to Manage permissions. You can then Select more photos which the application can access.
5. Use your smartphone as a webcam on your computer
Another new feature of Android 14, you can now use the camera module integrated into your smartphone as a Webcam. To do this, simply connect your smartphone to your computer (Windows, macOS, or Linux) using a cable, then select the mode USB charging from the notification displayed on the device.
You can then choose to activate the Webcam function of your smartphone and can even select the camera module to use (if your terminal has several).
6. Enable flash for your notifications
You can now configure your smartphone’s flash to be alerted when a new notification arrives. This function, which already exists on iOS, is very practical if you have gotten into the habit of leaving your device on silent. It is also an integral part of the new accessibility functions inaugurated by Google in Android 14.
To activate it, go to the Settings from Android, then in the menu Accessibilitywithin the section Audioselect Notifications with flash.
You can then activate the Camera flashor use the Screen flash (in the color of your choice) to be alerted as soon as a new notification arrives on your device. If you want to preview the rendering, press the Preview button. Be careful, however, you will certainly have to limit the use of notifications on your device if you do not want to see it turn into a Christmas garland.
7. Enable automatic unlocking of your screen
No, you’re not dreaming. You can now unlock your smartphone screen automatically without having to validate anything after entering your unlock PIN code to access the home screen.
To have your screen unlocked as soon as your PIN code is entered, go to the Settings from Android, then in the menu Security and Privacyenter Unlocking the device. Then select the icon showing a toothed wheel displayed in front of the Screen lockthen activate the option Automatically confirm unlocking.
Please note that this functionality is not available only if you use a code unlocking with six or more digits.
8. Set up cinematic wallpapers
Android 14 now includes an option to offer a 3D effect to subjects on your wallpaper. Concretely, these cinematic wallpapers (this is the name given by Google), allow you to detach the protagonists of a photo from their background, to make them stand out, with a striking 3D effect.
To set a cinematic wallpaper, tap and hold on the Home screen, and in the window that appears, select Wallpaper and style. Then enter the menu Other wallpapersthen select My pictures. Then choose the image you want to use as wallpaper, then when the image preview is displayed, press the button with small stars at the top right of the screen.
In the menu that opens in pop-up, activate the option Create a cinematic wallpaper, wait a few moments, and enjoy the preview of the result. The subject of the image is automatically cut out, and the background appears to move when you move your smartphone. Then press Set as wallpaper at the top right of the screen to save your cinematic wallpaper. Android will then ask you if you want to apply it forHomepageL’Lock screene, or the Home and lock screens.
9. Quickly change the font size
Android 14 introduces a new module that allows you to adjust the font size on your smartphone on the fly. To access it, expand the notifications panel from the top of the screen, then display the entire quick access module. Then press the icon one pencil to modify the quick functions displayed, then locate the block Font size and drag and drop to add it to the quick functions of your smartphone.
Now, when you’re viewing an app or website and you’re having trouble reading what’s displayed, open Quick Access and tap the Font Size module. You can (momentarily) adjust the font size to read the content more comfortably. Be careful, however, changing the font size applies to the entire smartphone. You can go back to find the display that you initially configured on your smartphone.
As with each new version of Android, Google slips an “Easter Egg” into its operating system. This time, for the Android 14 Easter Egg, the Mountain View company went a little further. This actually hides a mini game that will put you at the controls of a spaceship.
To access it, open the Android Settingsthen in About the phoneselect Android versionThen tap quickly several times in a row Android Version number. You should then arrive at the famous Android 14 Easter Egg.
But it is not finished. Now hold your finger on the Android 14 logo. Your smartphone should then vibrate, and the stars displayed in the background of the logo should move faster.
You have officially been launched into space and are now at the controls of a small spaceship.