The second developer version of Android 14 has been released. The focus is on privacy and security, but improvements are also noticeable behind the scenes.

Google has released a new developer version of Android 14. It follows the first preview that launched a month ago. A development release is by definition a work in progress, and Google makes it available for professional developers to help build the operating system. Nevertheless, at this early stage, Android 14 already reveals something about what awaits us in the final version.

Passwordless login

Google supports the rollout of passwordless login methods and this will also be fully embedded in Android 14. In the first preview, Google has already laid the foundation for supporting passkeys, and the second version builds on that. This is manifested in Credential Manager, an API that developers can use to strip passwords from their applications. Google has given the API UI a fresh coat of paint for the second developer release.

The tech giant has increased Android’s security for several versions to bring it to the same level as iOS. Android 14 would give the user even more control over what data he/she shares with applications. For example, in Android 13 you already have the option to share just a selection of photos with apps that want access to your photo library. Previously we wrote that Android 14 will prohibit loading outdated apps.

More economical in the background

As far as the visible innovations that we can already derive from the developer versions. But Google has also tinkered with Android in the background so that the operating system works more economically. This makes it easier to disable background activity. This benefits the working memory and the battery, because applications lurking in the background also demand part of the working memory and nibble percentages from the battery.

Finally, Google shares the Android 14 timeline. The first public betas would be available from April. The official presentation of the operating system will follow during the Google I/O. The public launch traditionally takes place in August or September and from then on it is up to the manufacturers to integrate Android 14 into their own software.

If you dare, you can install the second developer version from this page. It goes without saying that as an average user, you should stay far away from this version. Installing an unstable software on your fixed device can have dramatic and irreparable consequences.