Unleash the Power of Android 13: Guide


What is Android 13?

What is Android 13?

In February, the first Android 13 developer preview was released. This gave us a sneak peek at Google's next major release.

Since then, Android App Development Company has released either a beta or a developer preview every month.

The final release was announced in August. This update is available for Pixel 4 and 4a models. However, older Pixel phones will not receive updates.

Android 13 was expected to launch earlier than the other Android releases, as the first developer preview was released in February.

With a market share of 29.16 percent in February 2024, Android 13 was the most popular operating system, followed by Android 12 (17.17 percent) and Android 11 (16.64 percent), according to Statista.

However, the final result was this. Although it seemed that Google might postpone Android 13 until September for a while, now with the launch of Android 15 on August 15, this is one of the most recent Android launches.


You need to be aware of all the Android 13 features.

You need to be aware of all the Android 13 features.

We are excited to share a detailed overview of the new Android 13 on Google Pixel phones. It is also available as the debut OS for the Pixel 7/7 Pro.


Android 13s internal codename

Android version 4.4 KitKat and Android 9 Pie came with sweet codenames. Remember Android 4.4 KitKat or Android 9 Pie? Google no longer uses these codenames for marketing purposes, but its developers still use them internally.

This name for Android 13 is Tiramisu. It follows up on the not-publicly available Snow Cone for Android 12, Red Velvet Cake (Android 11), and Android 10s Quince Tart.


More Material: The latest Android version includes color schemes and cinematic wallpapers.

Android 13 offers a variety of palettes to extract colors from wallpaper. Google offers three additional methods for Android manufacturers and users to extract colors from wallpapers in addition to the "tonal spot" colors.

Vibrant - The accents differ a little.

Expressive - Offers a wider selection of colors, which may extend to colors not visible in the background.

Spritz: A desaturated theme that is almost monochromatic.

This exclusive coverage includes samples and details. You can also get these themes as 16 new color extraction options for your Pixel running Android 13.

We also glimpse "cinematic" wallpapers in Android 13 DP2. This API is currently only available to developers. Based on our knowledge, however, it is possible that this API could allow for custom wallpapers using images from your photos collection, much like the cinematic images in Google Photos.

This has not yet been tested. It may be an addition to Android 14.

We also learned that Material You themes will be coming to Android 13 DP1 devices, including those from Samsung, OnePlus, and Oppo.

Android 13 is now available in a stable on the latest OnePlus phones. You can also enjoy the themes by yourself.


Google Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7 Pro, and all Pixels still receiving updates get a new launcher.

Android 13 introduces a new search experience on the home screen. The launcher-based interface allows you to search directly for on-device actions and Play Store, YouTube, and Google results from your launcher.

Although there are some minor differences in how this search works depending on whether you swipe up at the bottom or tap on the search bar at its bottom, it is more powerful and integrates better than Android 12.

It's possible to pin launcher searches to your home screen.

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Android 13 notifications can now be opted-in

Android has been more adept at managing and displaying notifications over iOS in the past. Apple's ecosystem has one thing that we love.

Before they can send notifications, applications must ask for your permission.

Android 13 follows suit. Apps will no longer be able to send notifications to you when you install apps unless you have given permission.

You can upgrade from Android 12, but it will only affect newly installed apps. It doesn't impact existing functionality.

The notification prompt will appear when an app starts and asks for the POST_NOTIFICATIONS permission. You will have two options.

You can either allow or block notifications. Although you can't choose specific channels, there may be an option in future Android releases.


Quick settings tile for QR code scanner

We only reported that Android 13 could access a quick settings tile for a QR Code scanner, which included some lock screen functionality.

We saw the QR scanner quick settings toggle within the notification shade in Android 13 DP1. However, it was grayed out and not accessible.

This toggle is now available in Android 13 betas. You can even use it on your lock screen when you pull down the notification shade.

It's quicker than using the camera app or Google Lens to scan QR codes.


Android 13 supports per-app language options.

Android 13 has an option that lets you choose your preferred language per app, as we exclusively reported.

This might not seem too important if you are fluent in English and live in the U.S. However, this is not the case for all people.

Many of us live bilingual lives or multilingual lives. However, Android phones force people to live a monolingual lifestyle.

The language chosen for the system is often applied to all apps.

Although the per-app language feature was first introduced in the Android 13 betas, it has been refined for the stable release.

Hire Android Developers to whom we don't have to force other languages onto any app on their phones.

Instead, they can add some code to indicate that their app supports per-app languages.

It will take some time before all your apps will be eligible for this feature. Only a few apps currently support these per-app language settings, but we expect it to be available in almost all multilingual apps soon.

This can be overcome with an ADB command, as shared by Mishaal Rahman, Espers Android expert on Reddit.

Read More: 10 Top Android Developers Tool to Get You Started on Android Development


With Android 13, your battery will last longer.

Android 13 will notify you if apps are causing excessive battery drain, especially in the background. You can choose to close the app by simply tapping the notification.

Swipe away the notification if you don't want the app to stop running. After doing this, a quick toggles section in the notification shade shows a list of all apps running in the background.

It does not interfere with the app's operation but informs those who wish to see more information.

Google is also working on a new TARE feature, short for "The Android Resource Economy." It monitors how apps are running in the background and what tasks they perform.

Apps can be awarded and taken credit for their work. This will limit the ability of apps that have developed scheduled unlimited jobs.

This is still under active development, so we will likely need to wait until Google provides us with proper documentation.


Android 7.0 has UWB support. Your phone might not have it.

Ultra-wideband (or UWB) is an exciting technology that allows various new applications. It transforms your smartphone into a car key, allows you to find lost devices that support UWB, and augment features previously made possible by NFC or Bluetooth.

The Google Pixel 7 Pro and the Pixel 6 Pro have UWB antennas. However, because implementations can vary between manufacturers and devices, Android 13 adds an abstraction layer to give all Android devices a common foundation for UWB.

This allows manufacturers and developers to easily incorporate futuristic features into their products.

The Google Pixel 6 Pro will get a few UWB-related features in the Android January 12 security update, but the entire system-wide abstraction layer should be available only in Android 13.


Bluetooth Low-Energy audio support is available.

Android 13 is the first Android version to fully support Bluetooth Low-Energy Audio. This standard is intended to replace or provide an alternative to regular Bluetooth audio streaming.

It also offers a host of new features, including multi-stream support that allows you to send signals to two earbuds simultaneously (or multiple headphones/speakers simultaneously) and full support for Google's Bluetooth hearing aid protocol.

Bluetooth LE Audio streaming will require that your device be equipped with the right hardware. However, this is only a matter of time as new smartphones, tablets, and headphones are released.


With Android 13, assistant gestures are back.

Gesture navigation could be the future for interacting with your smartphone. Many people still prefer the old three-button navigation, either for accessibility reasons or because they are used to it.

Assistant can be used by those who don't use it, but they can also enjoy Assistant via a long Home button press.

You can select your preference using a new toggle in the navigation settings. Similarly, Google is bringing back the swipe-up-from-the-corner gesture for Assistant when you use gesture navigation.

You can also set this up in System Settings.


The OS update includes a new media player and an output selector.

Android 10 introduced an output selector for audio and media. This allows you to choose how you want to hear it: on your phone, wireless headphones, or via Bluetooth speakers.

Android 13 features a completely new interface for this feature. It allows you to select the destination for your audio and the media player.

It looks better than we thought, with the album cover of the currently playing media used as the background. Google has also added a new, squiggly animation to accompany your music.


The Google Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7 Pro, and Pixel 6 series have spatial audio support.

Android 13 introduced a spatializer effect. This is Google's version of the iPhones spatial sound feature. This could be great news for anyone who wants to listen to their audio content most naturally on their Pixel 6.

The feature can be toggled with Bluetooth headphones.


Better lock screen

Android 12s Material You design is still in beta and will require further fine-tuning. Android 13 brings a welcome change to those who don't like the large lock screen clock, especially when they don't have notifications.

Google introduced a toggle to disable the large clock. It is called "Double-line clock." This toggle is not only available for Android 13.

This option was already available in Android 12L, which was also being developed at the time.


Android 13 may be better for gaming.

Although we don't have much information about mobile gaming on Android 13, Espers Mishaal Rhamman discovered some interesting details regarding the devices that will be launched with Android 13.

His findings in the AOSP Code indicate that a new API will enable games to temporarily increase the CPU speed during loading.

This will make it possible to launch titles faster than ever before.

The lesson learned: Always take screenshots of AOSP changes, as you never know when Google may make them private.

This feature can only be proven by a screenshot of tabs that I opened before. Although it seems that some Pixel phones may also be updated to take advantage of this API, this is not a guarantee for all phones currently in production.

After the launch of Android 13, we haven't heard anything more.

Read More: 8 Useful tips for Android App Development


A new photo picker is available that is much more refined.

Android 13 features a new photo selector, making adding images to messages easier. Apps you upload or send photos to can now use the new photo picker to protect your privacy and provide only relevant results.

Only a handful Android Development Services currently support it.

Given the limited number of Android 13-compatible devices, it will take time before it becomes the standard. Using Play Services magic, Google has made the photos picker available via backport to older Android versions.

This could make it a little easier for users to adopt.


Your icons from third-party material are available on the board.

Material Yous app icon design limit on Google's services has been frustrating. It is unfinished and clashes with your home screen.

This has led some AP writers to return to third-party icon packs and launchers.

Android 13 will allow developers to add dynamic icon themes to all apps. It's been supported by a few third-party applications, including Inware, Pocket, and Sync for Reddit.

We are seeing more and more of these apps each day.


No more unplanned tiles with the Quick Settings Placement API

For years, developers have been able to add tiles to Android's quick settings menu. However, this year's update makes it easier for people to use and understand these tiles.

Quick Settings Placement API lets apps advertise their tiles using a pop-up notification. This makes it much easier for smartphone owners to see the existence of these shortcuts and tools.

Although there is always the possibility of abuse, prompts like this are a great way for developers to make more of an underutilized feature of Android.


The update will bring major improvements to the Clipboard.

Android has been improving clipboard management for a long time. The latest version takes it to the next level. You will find a floating panel when you copy the text in Android 13.

This allows you to see and modify the contents of your Clipboard. This panel allows you to modify URLs and addresses before sharing them.

As a privacy measure, the Clipboard will automatically clear after a specified time.

This is useful if you have copied your email addresses, phone numbers, or login credentials.

It is not available in the pre-releases, but the stable version will include a Nearby Share shortcut in the Clipboard.

This has not been confirmed, however.


There is an Easter egg, of course.

Android 13s Easter egg looks much like Android 12s, but it's difficult to be disappointed when you see emojis.


Android 13 comes with predictive back gestures.

Google is working on a tweak to Google's back gesture to make it clear that you are about to exit the app to bring up the home screen.

This is a minor change that takes a surprising amount of work behind-the-scenes. The feature remains experimental on stable Android 13.

You can look at the process and see what it looks like by activating predictive back gestures in developer options.

Only a few apps can use this feature, requiring some tweaks by app developers. Google News, Android 13 in beta, is the only app that has been able to work with it.

However, it doesn't currently support it.

This tweak will be a part of the default Android experience, but Google won't make it a permanent feature. This release may have additional changes for gesture navigation.

For example, this home screen transition could also switch between screens within other apps.


Extended treble compatibility with the beta

Although you don't need it as Android 13 is now stable, the Android 13 beta was compatible with all Treble-compatible devices.

Developers will find it easier to prepare for the new release if they don't have a Pixel device. However, some key features, such as phone audio, won't work with these builds.


Android 13 also has minor updates.

A few small changes have been made to the OS version and are worth mentioning.

Flashlight - The quick tap shortcut initially introduced to Pixels in Android 12 now supports turning the flashlight on or off.

Privacy Last year's update made significant privacy improvements. Android 13 continues that momentum with 7-day views in the Privacy Dashboard.

Haptics: Silent Mode disabled almost all haptic feedback within DP2. This controversial change was undone in Beta 1.

A few new vibration settings are available, but they don't seem very useful.

Big screen modifications: Android 13 Beta1 has introduced the familiar row with intelligent app suggestions for the drawer and a new shortcut to the drawer.

Smart home control allows you to access your smart home devices from anywhere without having to unlock your screen.

Font settings and display: Google now has both font size and display options under one menu. The screen saver selector also has a new look.

Screen recording The touch indicators used by Android to record have been restored after being lost in 12L.

Split Screen: This split-screen feature, available in 12L, allows you to open two apps simultaneously in multiple windows.

Hidden Features: This release includes several new features, such as an automatic dark mode and a new location for the search box in the app drawer.

exFAT Support: It's been years in the making, but this latest update will finally bring exFAT support to Android.

Navigation bar - While Google hasn't changed its gestures system in any way, it did increase the thickness of the bar at the bottom.

It's very similar to iOS.

Media permissions Google is making changes in how it handles media file permissions. There's also a warning to prevent users from handing over more data than they would to older apps.


Things that didn't work out for Android 13

Things that didn't work out for Android 13

These features might not be available on your Android smartphone shortly but could be included in future versions.


Tap-to-transfer

Tap-to-transfer is one thing that has not made it into the stable release. It is similar to Android Beam, which allows you to tap two phones to share files and links.

This feature was introduced in Android 13. It was meant to be focused on sharing media. You could tap on a smart speaker, and it would play the media from your phone.

This feature may still make it to Android 13 if Play Services or a Pixel Drop are successful, but don't expect anything.

It could be delayed for Android 14. It is unclear what technology it will use, but NFC or UWB seem to be the most obvious options.

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Better multi-user support

Google seems to have recently refocused its attention on tablets, even though Android 12L was officially launched.

Although many changes were made to multi-user profiles in Android 13 previews, it doesn't seem like they are making it to the final version.

There was plenty to love about this new profile picker screen, which is now available for tablets. "Hub mode" seemed to make it easier to share apps between profiles.

Guest accounts would be able to access a list of accessible apps immediately. Then there was the new "kids" mode, which brought back an old-fashioned nav bar.

We will have to wait and see what this all adds up to. However, there are too many pieces not to be part of a bigger picture that could be preparations for Android 14.


References

  1. 🔗 Google scholar
  2. 🔗 Wikipedia
  3. 🔗 NyTimes