Android 13 is the next version of Google’s mobile operating system (internally codenamed Tiramisu for all you dessert fans), and as usual it brings a host of new features and upgrades to Android phones and tablets. We’ve been playing with it for a few weeks, and it’s more evolution than revolution compared to Android 12. Don’t expect any groundbreaking changes.
It’s currently in beta, but Google is likely to roll out the official version in late August or September. We have gathered many of the best new features here and we will continue to update this story over the next few months as new perks come. If you can not wait to try it yourself, we also have instructions on how to download it.
How to download Android 13
You need a Google Pixel phone (Pixel 4 and Pixel 4A and later) or another qualified Android phone. Google has one list of manufacturers here that has a device that is capable of running beta. If your device is supported, you can sign up for the beta program via this link.
Once signed up, you can download and install the latest beta version as an OTA update, but beware – beta releases can be unstable and erroneous. Before you sign up, we strongly recommend that you back up your Android phone, otherwise there is a real risk of losing valuable data.
As the beta progresses, new updates should appear automatically, but you can always check for the latest version by going to Settings > System > System update and bottling Check for update. Want to get out of the beta and return to Android 12? Go to Google Android Beta pagescroll down to find your device and press Deselect. This involves deleting all locally stored data, so be sure to back up your device. You will get an update prompt so you can go back to the older version.
Top new Android 13 features
We’ve listed our 13 favorite features and improvements in the latest version, but there are many more minor upgrades. You can dig deeper at Google’s developer site. As Android 13 is not finalized yet, there is a chance that some of these features will change before release.
Even more customization
Google via Simon Hill
Android 13 builds on Google’s Material You concept to enable deeper personalization and supports more colors in the theme settings. Currently, you can choose between four wallpaper colors and four base colors, but in Android 13 there are 16 of each. Just tap and hold on an empty part of the home screen or go to Settings and select Wallpaper and style to find the new color theme options. If you turn on Theme icons, you should also see more of them now. (Google encourages more developers to create them so it’s not just Google and system apps.)
Improved privacy
There are several enhancements in Android 13 that limit what your apps can access. First, when an app asks for permission to access media files, these will be categorized into images, video or audio files. With the new photo selector, you do not have to give access to all your photos. You can specify which photos and videos an app can access instead of allowing it to dive into your entire photo library (a feature that has been available on iPhones since iOS 14).
Until now, that meant giving an app permission to scan for nearby Wi-Fi devices. Fortunately, this is no longer the case, as there is now a separate licensing option for nearby Wi-Fi devices. The Privacy dashboard (accessed via Settings > Privacy > Dashboard for privacy), which shows all the apps that have access to the camera, microphone, location and other permissions during the last 24 hours, can now display history from the last seven days.
Improved copy and paste
Lent by Google
When you copy something in Android 13, a small floating panel appears at the bottom of the screen and you can tap to edit the content. Sometimes you will see relevant options. For example, copying a URL gives you the option to open it in your browser. You can also copy on one Android device and choose to paste on another nearby, so you no longer have to send an email to yourself from phone to tablet. Google can also set the clipboard to automatically delete after a while (possibly an hour) to preserve your privacy.
Fewer messages
By default, when you install an app with Android, it has permission to send you notifications. Android 13 turns it upside down. From now on, apps must ask for permission before they can start sending you notifications.
Better Tablet Support
Google via Simon Hill
As Google finally gets serious about tablets, there are several changes on the way in Android 13 designed to make life with larger screens a bit easier. On an Android tablet, you can expect to see a taskbar at the bottom with frequently used apps (you can hide it), a two-column arrangement for quick settings and notifications, and easier drag-and-drop multitasking with the option to pin app- pair in the Recent Apps menu. We also expect support for Wear OS smartwatches to unlock tablets automatically and support for audio switching, which means your wireless earphones will switch from phone to tablet when you start playing a movie on your tablet.
Google says it will also roll out updates to more than 20 Google apps this summer with redesigned interfaces that make use of larger screen sizes, including YouTube Music and Google Maps (Android 13 is not required).
Fast QR code scanner
Google via Simon Hill
The pandemic has made scanning QR codes an everyday occurrence for many of us, so faster access to a QR code scanner is convenient. Drag the notification screen down to Android 13 and tap edit (pencil icon) to adjust your Quick Settings pieces, and you can drag the QR code scanner to your panel.
Improved media player
Google via Simon Hill
The renewed media player that appears when you drag the notification screen down and onto your lock screen looks much nicer. There is now a twisted line to show progress through the track or podcast being played, and the entire background pulls album art when available. The audio output selector has also been redesigned so you can easily switch to connected speakers or headphones.
Smart-Home controls on the lock screen
Google via Simon Hill
You no longer need to unlock your phone to access smart-home controls from the lock screen. Just go to Settings > Screen > Lock screen > Control from locked deviceand you have a little faster and easier access to your smart lights, cameras and other smart-home gadgets via the Home icon at the bottom left of the lock screen.
Double flash for flashlight
Google via Simon Hill
The Quick Tap feature on Pixel phones allows you to double-tap the back of your phone to take a screenshot or view your notifications. With Android 13, Google has added flashlight support. Go to System > Gesture > Quick press > Replace flashlight to try it.
Bluetooth LE Audio Support
Android 13 will have Bluetooth LE (low energy) Audio and Low Complexity Communications Codec (LC3) support. In a nutshell, it means reduced power consumption and better sound quality for wireless headphones, earphones and other devices that support it.
Encrypted group chats
The advent of Rich Communication Services (RCS) in the Google Messages app has provided better support for text messaging and photo sharing via Wi-Fi and includes perks like writing indicators so you know when someone is responding. Android 13 goes a step further and adds end-to-end encryption to group chat (it is already supported for one-on-one chat).
Different languages for apps
For multilingual people, you will be happy to see that you can now choose different default languages for each app. Dive into Settings > System > Language and input and press App language to set the language for specific apps.
The new Google Wallet
Photo: Google
Google Wallet aims to be your digital wallet for everything from payment and loyalty cards to hotel keys, vaccine cards, transit cards and even IDs like your driver’s license, and Google Wallet returns with Android 13. It’s supposed to be a secure alternative to physical cards , which enables you to quickly share information and leave you with your physical wallet at home. Google Wallet is integrated across Google’s other apps and works with Google Pay.
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