Based on the first developer preview of Android 14 last month, Google released the second Developer Preview (DP2) of Android 14, which brings additional improvements to privacy, security, performance and more. With the DP2, Google continues to improve the experience of large-screen devices for tablets, advanced devices and more, while optimizing app collaboration, improving system performance and battery life, and improving the end-user experience.

Many new features and improvements have been announced in the DP2, including access to selected photos, a credential manager, more secure incognito purposes, and background enhancements.

As with iOS 14, Android 14 users can now only grant apps access to selected photos and videos instead of the full library of all media files on the device. When the app requests access to media files, users will be able to select three permissions in a new dialog that opens: Allow access to all photos, Select photos, and Don’t allow.

Android 14 will also add Credential Manager as a platform API that allows developers to retrieve and store credentials using user-defined credential providers. In addition to supporting passwords, the API will also allow applications to log in using industry standard passkeys for passwordless login.

In terms of optimization, the new preview includes improvements to Android’s memory management system to improve resource usage while apps are running in the background. Background work will not be allowed outside of normal Android application lifecycle APIs such as front-end services, JobScheduler or WorkManager. Google is working hard to make Android 14 the perfect OS for advanced devices and builds on the work done in Android 12L and 13. There’s a new big-screen gallery with design inspiration for social networks and communication, media, productivity, shopping, and more. reading experience.

Android 14 also introduces several new PackageInstaller APIs that will allow app stores to improve the user experience. requestUserPreapproval()method that allows you to delay the download of APK files until the installation is confirmed setRequestUpdateOwnership()allows the installer to indicate that it is responsible for future updates to the program and method it is installing. setDontKillApp()able to easily install additional features of the program.

Android 14 brings new app compatibility features that should make Android update a less tedious process for developers. Since most app-related changes are now optional, developers now have more time to make the necessary changes to the app. Google expects Android 14 to reach platform stability in June 2023, allowing developers for final testing a few weeks before the official release.

Developers can test Developer Preview 2 with their apps in Android Studio SDK Manager to prepare for the next Android update. Developers can also upload the system image to supported Pixel devices starting today, including Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7, Pixel 6a, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6, Pixel 5a 5G, Pixel 5 or Pixel 4a (5G).