News, Release Date and Features

Codenamed Tiramisu, Android 13 is the latest operating system update for Android devices, bringing changes to notifications, customization, privacy, and more.

When will Android 13 be released?

The new operating system starts rolling out to Pixel devices on August 15, 2022. It should be available on other devices later this year, possibly in September or October. Android 12 is already in the pipeline. announced at Google I/O in February 2021 and released in October next year, so we expect similar timings for Android 13.

Google released developer previews in February and March and rolled out the beta monthly until July, after the final release. You can see the full schedule and details on the Android developer website.

How to download Android 13

You can download Android 13 via wireless download to your device, the same way it worked with older versions. You will receive a notification when/if an update is available for your device.

You can also manually check for Android OS updates to “force” an update. Follow that link for specifics. For example, update options for Pixel devices are in Setting > System > System update.

Features of Android 13

There are quite a few changes with this update, some of which are expected to appear in the newer Android 13 release.

• Material You update. Android 13 builds on Material You, Android 12’s user interface enhancement, allowing for a range of customizations like matching wallpaper colors to your app’s theme.
• Advanced privacy controls. The OS also improves Android 12’s security features, including the option to let apps access specific photos instead of all of them, an auto-clear clipboard feature that clears content from the clipboard. general after a certain amount of time (60 minutes, by default), and see the privacy dashboard for 7 days instead of just 24 hours.
• Split screen from notifications. Drag a notification to the side of the screen to quickly open the app in split-screen mode. Just press and hold the notification and decide where it will be on the screen. Android reporter Mishaal Rahman has a video showing how it works.
• More control over notifications. This feature forces the app maker to request permission to send notifications, similar to the reminders you get across multiple browsers.
• Language settings for each application. User can set another language
  defaults depending on the application, rather than a generic default setting.
• Faster pairing. Fast Pair lets you quickly pair your device with your phone, so you don’t have to go through the settings app manually to do it. You are notified of a device when Android determines that something is trying to pair with it.
• Dark mode before going to bed. With this option, you can automatically activate dark mode at bedtime.
• Installing guest apps is easier. Choose which apps to install to the guest profile when you create a new guest user in Android 13.
• Follow the typing method with a magnifying glass. In the accessibility settings, a new toggle is available to make the area you’re magnifying automatically follow the text as you type.
• Greater lock screen access. Through a setting called Control from locked deviceAndroid 13 eliminates the need to unlock your phone to access smart home controls.
• Smarter touch controls. The Android tablet will register your palm and stylus as separate touches. So whether you’re writing or drawing on your tablet, you’re less likely to experience accidental marks from simply placing your hand on the screen.
• Foreground Service (FGS) Task Manager. This new feature displays a list of applications running foreground services and provides a stop button to immediately end any of them. You’ll receive a notification to stop a task if Android detects that the task has been running for at least 20 hours in a 24-hour window. Google describes the FGS Task Manager here.

Many smaller changes have been documented by Mishaal Rahman at Esper and others, including the following:

• Vibration intensity adjustments are available for alarms.
• Get a whole new look when creating a new profile.
• A flag is available to toggle the bottom search bar in the launcher’s app drawer instead of placing it at the top.
• Power, settings, and other buttons in the notification drawer move to the bottom of that screen.
• The media player progress bar changes to flashing to show what you’ve heard.
• The Japanese text pack has been improved.
• You’ll get a notification if an app uses a lot of battery in a 24-hour period.
• Like the screenshot, Android 13 shows a message after copying text, with the option to edit the clipboard before you paste it.
• Developers can make picture-in-picture windows longer or wider.
• Screen rotation lock for larger devices.
• Native support for DNS over HTTPS (DoH).
• Activate dark mode according to a set bedtime.

Visit Google’s Android 13 page to learn more about the operating system.

Android 13 . Supported Devices

Most Android devices that support Android 12 can be upgraded to Android 13. Including Google Pixel (3 and above), Android 13 will roll out to devices from Samsung Galaxy, Asus, HMD (Nokia phones) , iQOO, Motorola, OnePlus, Oppo, Realme, Sharp, Sony, Tecno, vivo, Xiaomi, etc.

Latest news about Android 13

You can get more smartphone news from Lifewire. Here are some of the latest stories about Android 13 and Android phones.