Google released the first beta version of Android Q on Wednesday (March 13, 2019). Android Q is the successor of Android 9.0 Pie, which is to be released later this year. Google has also revealed that second, third, and fourth beta versions of Android Q will be available for download in April, May and June months respectively. However, the dates of fifth and sixth beta versions are still not revealed. Google also has not unveiled the release date of the final OS.
The final OS is expected to be available for download from the third quarter of 2019. The beta versions of Android Q is available for downloading to all Pixel phone models including the ones released in 2016. Until Google comes with a name to the full finished OS version starting with Q, it will be referred to as Android Q.
Android Q Beta Supported Devices
You need just a pixel phone to test the first beta version as Android Q Beta 1 is supported on all of the six pixel phone versions. Below is the list of devices that supports Android Q Beta 1 version.
Pixel
Pixel XL
Pixel 2
Pixel 2 XL
Pixel 3
Pixel 3 XL
Android Q New Features
Here’s a closer look at what all features can the users and developers find in the initial beta version of Android Q OS.
Control over device location
The user can decide when an app can get his/her device location. The device location access permission can be set to Never when the app in use or every time (times when app running in the background too).
Background activity control
You might have noticed sometimes running in background app takes control abruptly and interrupts your current activity. The new beta version has restrained this ability of running-in-background apps.
Foldable and new technology screens
The beta version will include support for foldable version screens.
Sharing shortcuts
The developers can place their app shortcut to the sharing menu which makes the jump to their app quicker. It is also beneficial for the user that he/she does not have to go open the app and then select the content to use with that app. Instead, he can just choose the content to use with an app from the file browser and then choose to jump right to the app with that shortcut available in the sharing shortcut menu.
Wifi performance limiting
The developers can set wifi performance levels to full high or low latency modes with the use of new function attributes- WIFI_MODE_FULL_LOW_LATENCY or WIFI_MODE_FULL_HIGH_PERF. This allows the developers to adaptively scale the wifi performance when needed. Useful at real time game times and active call times.
New audio and video codec support
Allow the developers to play with the final render of video and audio under the assistance of newly available codecs.
Scoped storage
With this, the developer has to specify all the file types that the user can download with the app. The beta version’s Introduction of run time permissions from the user for the apps to access media files is move to give users more control over his/her data.
User data IDS
The access of apps to hard coded identifiers like IMEI, serial number is limited in the new beta version. Also to protect the devices from potential threats while connecting to other wifi networks, the MAC address of the device, will be randomized by default.
Settings Panel
The options in the settings panel that is applicable to an app will be available from inside the app itself. This helps the users to not leave the app to make changes in the settings menu. Instead, he can make changes to the settings in the context of the app from the app itself.
Apart from the above, the new features introduced in the beta version are improved peer-to-peer and internet connectivity, dynamic depth format for photos, improvements in ART, TLS 1.3 support, Neural Network API 1.2, Native MIDI API, WP3 and OWE support for Wi-Fi etc.
How to get the android Q beta guide
There are two ways to get Android Q beta to your Pixel phone.
Method 1
The first one is by logging on to “google.com/android/beta” with your pixel phone linked Google account. Select the Pixel phone you are using by clicking on the “Opt In” button below the Pixel phone you are using.
Accepting the terms is the second step. Now you will get update notification like any update. It may take up to 24 hours to receive the update notifications. Follow the instructions after the notification arrives.
Method 2
The second method is by getting the system image and then flashing it to your device. If you are not so familiar with flashing don’t opt this method. The problem with installing the update this way is that you won’t get the next updates via air. You will have to manually install it every time when an update arrives. The system image is available from here: “developer.android.com/preview/download.html”
Can you leave beta anytime?
For those who opted to install beta through method 1 can revert to the older version by going to and then choosing Opt Out option. Those who went for flashing needs to download the latest official build to revert to and then flash it with the version required.
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