Google Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1 Arrives: What’s New

Google has started rolling out the first beta of Android 14 QPR1. This update brings more significant changes than the monthly bug fixes, such as UI tweaks and new features. It is also relatively stable and suitable for general use.

Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1 comes with the September 2023 security patch and has the build number U1B1.230908.003. It supports the Pixel 5a, Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel Tablet, and Pixel Fold. The Pixel 4a 5G and 5 are not supported and will not get QPR1.

The QPR1 beta is available for Pixel devices running Android 14, as well as the Android Emulator. Users can join the Beta Program to get the update automatically or sideload it manually. The Android Beta Feedback app and the Reddit community are also available for reporting issues.

Users who want to get the final stable public Android 14 release first should go through the Beta Program and ignore the downgrade OTA until Google announces Android 14, which will have a build starting with UP1A, in the coming weeks. The stable version of Android 14 should be the last update for some Pixel devices.

WHAT’S NEW IN ANDROID 14 QPR1 BETA 1

Top resolved issues

• Fixed an issue where the system UI sometimes crashed after notifications were posted or interacted with.
• Fixed an issue that caused devices to crash in some cases.
• Fixed an issue that caused the recording view to freeze while recording video.
• Fixed an issue where a device sometimes couldn’t be interacted with after rebooting.
• Fixed an issue where device alarms were sometimes reset after installing a system update.

Known issues

• In some cases after swapping SIM cards on a device, the device can’t connect to cellular service.
• The battery level in the status bar sometimes displays as 0% temporarily.

New features

• Large screen user per-app overrides:
  – “Device original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) apply overrides to selected apps on specific large screen devices. Android 14 QPR1 introduces user overrides, which enable users to apply overrides to apps through device settings.”
  – “Android 14 QPR1 introduces a new settings menu that enables users to change the aspect ratio of apps. The menu is implemented on select large screen devices, such as Pixel Tablet and Pixel Fold.”

VIA