Android 13 Beta journey to Google Phones
Google released Android 13’s first public beta in April, and the stable version is now available.
Android 13 is released to the Android Open Source Project and Pixel devices today (AOSP). Later this year, it’ll launch on Samsung, Asus, HMD Global, iQOO, Motorola, OnePlus, Oppo, Realme, Sharp, Sony, Tecno, Vivo, Xiaomi, and more.
Android 13 is a minor update from 12. No major new features, but some tweaks. Material You’s app colour theming, app-level language settings, better privacy controls, and improved multitasking are notable improvements.
Android 13’s official release shows that Google is catching up to Apple’s ecosystem integrations. The update adds support for spatial audio with head tracking, which makes sounds appear to come from a fixed point in space when you move your head while wearing compatible headphones. Google previously announced it would update its Pixel Buds Pro to support spatial audio.
Second, Google Messages can be streamed directly to a Chromebook, like iMessage on the Mac. Another Google January feature. One of Google’s promotional assets shows this working with Signal, and the company says it will work with “many other messaging apps.” The update lets you copy content from a phone to a tablet and vice versa.
What Else?
Other Android 13 features include the ability to set languages per-app, a redesigned media player that adapts to what you’re listening to, support for Bluetooth Low Energy for better sound quality at lower bitrates and reduced latency, improved multitasking on large-screen devices with drag-and-drop support, and better palm rejection when using styluses.
Google’s support page lists which Pixels are getting Android 13 today (the Pixel 4, 5, and 6) and the fixes it includes. A developer page where you can download the images before the update is pushed to your device automatically notes that upgrading to Android 13 is a one-way trip — a bootloader update means you can’t flash back to Android 12.
Here’s a blog post for developers or Android 13 beta testers. Everyone in the beta will get Android 13 and then receive beta updates for Feature Drops. If you’d rather stick with final release software, you can opt-out of Android Beta without wiping your device.
If you’re ready to install Android 13 on your Pixel phone, use the web-based Android Flash Tool.
Samsung, Oppo, OnePlus, HMD, Motorola, Realme, Sony, Xiaomi, and Asus will get the Android update “later this year,” Google’s Sameer Samat writes. Google’s post details the update’s changes.
Android 13 Supportive Google Phones
Google is increasing its overall support timelines, but Pixel devices only get major updates for three years. Nine devices are Android 13-compatible that are:
- Pixel 4/XL
- Pixel 4a
- Pixel 4a 5G
- Pixel 5
- Pixel 5a
- Pixel 6/Pro
- Pixel 6a
How to install
Using the phone’s built-in update tool is the easiest way to get Android 13. Settings > System > System Update will download the update. One click on “check for updates” should download the update.
This usually downloads and instals the update within a few hours, but it may take a few days. The update is installed in the background while your phone is on and applied after a reboot.