Android 14 Beta 3 for Pixel devices has just been released, following a relatively uneventful update four weeks ago. Let’s explore the various enhancements and modifications introduced in Android 14 Beta 3, with the most recent updates listed first.
According to the provided information, it is anticipated that there will be at least three more releases before the official consumer launch of Android 14 later this year for Pixel phones. If you are eager to install Android 14 Beta 3 on your compatible Pixel devices such as Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5, Pixel 5a, Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, and the new Pixel 7a.
In Android 14 Beta 3, custom lock screens have finally arrived for Pixel devices. This feature has been highly anticipated since the days of Android 12. Now, users can customize their lock screen with personalized clocks. The ability to contain one’s excitement can be quite challenging in light of this news. Let’s delve into the details and explore this new feature.
Google has enabled custom lock screens for Pixel phones running Android 14 Beta 3. This feature was first announced at Google I/O and is now available for users to explore. With custom lock screens, you can personalize your lock screen with new clocks, including different colors and sizes. Additionally, you can now change the shortcuts on the lock screen, going beyond the default Google Home and Wallet shortcuts. This customization feature aims to provide a more tailored lock screen experience for Pixel users.
To access the custom lock screen options in Android 14 Beta 3, follow these steps:
- Go to your home screen on your Pixel device.
- Long-press on an empty space on the home screen. This action will bring up a pop-up menu.
- From the pop-up menu, select “Wallpaper & style.” This will open the Wallpaper & Style page.
- On the Wallpaper & Style page, you will notice a new tab at the top labeled “Lock screen.” Tap on this tab to access the lock screen customization options.
- Within the “Lock screen” tab, you can explore and make changes to the various customizations available, such as choosing different clocks, colors, and sizes.
- Take your time to select the desired clock style and customize it to your liking.
- Once you have made your customizations, exit the settings, and you will see the changes reflected on your lock screen.
By following these steps, you can easily access and utilize the new lock screen customization options introduced in Android 14 Beta 3 for your Pixel device. Enjoy exploring the new features and making your lock screen truly your own!
Tapping on the “Lock screen” tab will open a clock carousel in Android 14 Beta 3. This carousel allows you to swipe through different clock options available for customization. As per your information, there are now a total of 9 clocks to choose from. Here’s a sample of three new clocks along with an additional one at the top:
Once you have chosen a clock from the carousel in Android 14 Beta 3, you can tap the “Clock color & size” button to access further customization options. This will take you to a new screen dedicated to customizing the clock appearance. On this screen, you have the choice to either use dynamic colors or select your own color for the clock.
If you opt for dynamic colors, the system will automatically pull colors that match the overall theme or wallpaper. However, if you prefer to choose your own color, you can override the dynamic colors and manually select a color of your preference. Additionally, you have the option to adjust the brightness of the chosen color.
Regarding sizing, there are two options available:
Small Size (Top Left Corner):
- This option keeps the clock small and positioned in the top left corner of the lock screen at all times.
Dynamic Size (Centered with No Notifications):
- This option allows the clock to grow in size and be centered on the lock screen when there are no notifications present.
Another notable change in Android 14 Beta 3 is the ability to customize the lock screen shortcuts that appear at the bottom corners of the lock screen. Previously, these shortcuts were limited to Wallet and Google Home. However, Google has now introduced the option to personalize these shortcuts, which is a significant enhancement.
With this customization feature, you can now select shortcuts that are more relevant and useful to you. If you rarely use the Wallet or Google Home shortcuts, you now have the opportunity to replace them with shortcuts that better suit your needs. For example, if you frequently use the flashlight, you can now add a flashlight shortcut to the lock screen for quick access.
Within the “Wallpaper & Style” settings and the “Lock Screen” tab in Android 14 Beta 3, you will find a new option called “Shortcuts.” By scrolling down on this screen, you can access the “Shortcuts” settings, which allow you to customize the left and right shortcuts on your lock screen.
Tapping on the “Shortcuts” option takes you to a new screen where you can choose the shortcuts that appear on the left and right sides of the lock screen. Currently, there are eight available shortcuts to choose from:
None: Selecting this option will remove the shortcut from the respective side of the lock screen.
Mute: This shortcut allows you to quickly toggle the mute or vibrate mode on your device.
Do Not Disturb: With this shortcut, you can easily enable or disable the Do Not Disturb mode.
Home: The Home shortcut provides a quick way to access your device’s home screen directly from the lock screen.
Flashlight: This shortcut enables you to activate the flashlight functionality of your device without unlocking it.
Camera: By choosing this shortcut, you can instantly launch the camera app from the lock screen.
Wallet: This shortcut grants access to your digital wallet for easy and convenient payment options.
QR Code Scanner: This shortcut allows you to quickly launch a QR code scanner app for scanning QR codes.
These available shortcuts offer a range of convenient actions that can be accessed directly from the lock screen. You can customize the left and right shortcuts to fit your preferences and usage habits, ensuring that the lock screen provides quick access to the features and functions you use most frequently.
Enjoy personalizing your lock screen shortcuts in Android 14 Beta 3!
As always, it’s crucial to remember that this version is a beta release, intended for testing and development purposes. Users should expect occasional bugs and instability, and it’s recommended to install it on non-primary devices. Feedback from beta testers will play a vital role in refining Android 14 before its official release.