In this era of Beta, although ahead of schedule, Android 13 is now a stable version. Below we review the most notable changes that this new version of Android brings and how to install Android 13 on your phone. In addition, we will explain how you can update if you have a mobile phone that is already compatible.
Main new features of Android 13
The fact that there have been beta versions previously, added to the details that were already shown at Google I/O 2023, allow us to know in advance what is new about this Android 13, these being its most notable new features:
- Improvements in Material You: Themes that are applied to the system will no longer only be applied to buttons and the like, but also extends to application icons.
- New media player: The content playback notification now features a layout with a progress bar that moves to the music.
- Choose a language for each app: It is now possible to individually configure the language of each of the apps used on the mobile.
- More permissions: In this new version there are many more permission notifications, since the permissions to access photos, music or documents are separated and those for sending notifications to third-party apps are added.
- What’s new in the clipboard: Now it is not only more private as it is not displayed on an overlay screen, but it is automatically cleaned from time to time.
- Spatial Audio: Headphones that have this functionality integrated are now supported in this version.
- Support for Bluetooth BLE Audio: Another new feature when it comes to audio, you can now listen to audio content with lower latency and higher quality.
- HDR video support: Third-party camera apps now have HDR video support as of this release.
- Copy to the mobile phone and paste to the tablet (or the other way around): Although it is not ready at the beginning, this function is one of the star new features of the system.
- Improved stylus functions: those mobile phones or tablets compatible with stylus will be able to register the palm of the hand and the strokes of the stylus itself to differentiate them from accidental touches or when resting the hand on the screen.
Differences Between Android 12 And Android 13
As is usual in each new version, it does not reach all models universally. And manufacturers still have to adapt their respective customization layers to make them compatible with this new Android 13. However, it is available on the most recent Google phones.
- Google Pixel 4
- Google Pixel 4 XL
- Google Pixel 4a
- Google Pixel 5
- Google Pixel 5a
- Google Pixel 6
- Google Pixel 6 Pro
- Google Pixel 6a
How to install Android 13 on your phone now?
Considering the compatible models, you should know that there are several installation methods for this new version of Android. As usual, Google has made available to users the possibility of testing Android 13 through a beta program. If you have one of the compatible phones, we are going to explain how you can install Android 13.
Mobile phones compatible with Android 13
Firstly, it is only thinkable to install Android 13 on Pixel devices. And not in all of them: there are a total of eight different models in which the new version can be installed:
- Pixel 6 Pro
- Pixel 6
- Pixel 5a 5G
- Pixel 5
- Pixel 4a (5G)
- Pixel 4a
- Pixel 4XL
- Pixel 4
It is also possible to try the new features in the official Android emulator, this being the most recommended way to discover Android 13 without putting our personal device at risk.
Install Android 13 manually
- Before starting to see the steps to install Android 13, it is advisable to make sure that we meet one of the essential requirements, such as having the drivers for our device installed they are normally installed automatically when connecting the mobile phone to the computer for the first time in a computer, as well as ADB drivers.
- Once this is done, which will also serve to carry out other advanced procedures on Android, we can continue, but not before remembering that it is not advisable to install Android 13 on devices that are going to be used on a daily basis, given that these preliminary versions are aimed to be used by developers and advanced users.
- It is possible to install Android 13 in several different ways: via its OTA file, or via its full factory image. In this case, we opt for the first option, although the process is the same in any case and only the type of file to download changes. That being said, we can begin:
- The first thing of all will be to download the OTA package corresponding to your device.
- Connect your device to the computer with USB debugging enabled and, through a command window (CMD in Windows, and Terminal in macOS or Linux), execute the “adb devices” instruction. If the terminal serial number appears, everything is correct to continue.
- Turn off the phone and boot into bootloader mode manually – usually by holding the Power and Volume down buttons while it turns on – or through the “adb reboot bootloader” command.
- Now you have to access the recovery mode: to do this, go down using the device’s volume keys until you are above “Recovery mode”, and access it using the power button Power on the terminal.
- The device will reboot, although it will boot to a screen showing Andy’s image next to a red caution sign. You will have to hold down the power buttons and, about a second later, the volume up button, to be able to enter system recovery.
- Navigating through the volume keys, we must position ourselves above the “Apply update from ADB” option, and access it through the power button. Now we can proceed to install the OTA from the command window.
- Once finished, the device will reboot automatically, booting into the new version of the system that we just installed.
- That’s all. When the process has completely finished, it will be possible to start enjoying the new features of Android 13. Once Google releases the next preliminary versions, it will no longer be necessary to carry out this process again, but rather each update will arrive via OTA.
Install Android 13 through the beta program
Since the launch of the first beta version of Android 13, it is possible to register for the Android beta program to receive the update via OTA on the compatible device.
Before signing up, keep in mind that you won’t be able to unsubscribe and return to a stable public version of Android without first deleting all data saved locally on the device. In addition, problems may arise restoring a backup due to data incompatibility between different versions.
FAQs:
1. What are the main new features of Android 13?
Improvements to Material You theming, a new media player layout, the ability to choose a language for each app, more detailed permission notifications, support for spatial audio and Bluetooth BLE audio, HDR video support for third-party camera apps, improved clipboard privacy, and enhanced stylus functions are among the new features in Android 13.
2. Which smartphones are currently compatible with Android 13?
Android 13 is first accessible on a limited number of Google Pixel smartphones, including the Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 5a 5G, Pixel 5, Pixel 4a (5G), Pixel 4a, Pixel 4XL, and Pixel 4. However, when manufacturers upgrade their devices, it is likely to reach other compatible models in the coming months.
Hi!!! Long time no see!!! Today’s setup 🦚
Wallberry & Android 13 Widget Pack by @RajjAryaa
Lena Adaptive by @One4Studio
Have a nice day 💜 pic.twitter.com/JzMr3BWLDv
— Bullet (@delilahstuffs) November 19, 2023
Conclusion
Android 13 introduces exciting new features and enhancements, such as improved theming, a redesigned media player layout, and more accurate app-specific language options. It also adds enhanced app permission control, support for spatial audio and Bluetooth BLE audio, HDR video support for third-party camera applications, and improved pen capabilities. While Android 13 is now accessible on a limited number of Google Pixel smartphones, it is likely to be expanded to more compatible models in the near future.
