Android 13 Beta 2 Released: Features List, Download Process, Compatible Devices

Last Updated on May 16, 2022 by Asif Iqbal Shaik

Google announced the first Android 13 Developer Preview update in February 2022. The company then released the Android 13 Beta 1 (Public Beta( update last month, which brought new features such as new permissions for enabling granular access to media files and enhanced audio routing APIs. Now, Google has released the Android 13 Beta 2 update.

The Android 13 Beta 2 update brings some new features such as a Predictive Back Gesture, new permission for alarms, and fixes a lot of bugs from the previous release. Let us check out the new features released with the Android 13 Beta 2 update.

Android 13 Beta 2 Update Features

1. Predictive Back Gesture
2. Resource Files For Specifying Supported App Languages
3. New Permission To Use Exact Alarms
4. Battery Widget Tweaks
5. Vibrate Logo In Status Bar

1. Predictive Back Gesture

The Android 13 Beta 2 update introduces ‘Predictive Back Gesture’. It is a navigation gesture that is displayed when a user navigates through the apps. This new gesture will show a preview to the user as to where their back gesture will take them to.

The Predictive Back Gesture can be enabled by heading over to Settings > System > Developer Options > Predictive Back Animations. As of now, this gesture is not available for testing. However, developers can implement it in their apps. It won’t be available for general users for a few weeks.

2. Resource Files For Specifying Supported App Languages

Google has already announced that Android 13 will include APIs which will allow the apps set a different language at runtime to display in their user interface. With the release of the Android 13 Beta 2 update, developers will now be able to specify what languages their app will support so that users can choose languages on a per-app basis.

3. New Permission To Use Exact Alarms

In the Android 13 beta 2, Google has released USE_EXACT_ALARM permission. This new permission access will be automatically granted to your app if the app targets Android 13. However, the app would need to fit in the criteria mentioned below to use the new permission:

• Your app is an alarm app or a clock app.
• Your app is a calendar app that shows notifications for upcoming events.

4. Battery Widget Tweaks

Google released the new Battery widget with the March 2022 feature drop for Pixel smartphones. This new widget was however listed under ‘Settings Services’. With the release of the Android 13 Beta 2 update, the widget appears under the Battery section.

The battery widget tracks the battery charge levels of your smartphone and connected accessories. It now supports changing sizes.

Also Read: Google Pixel Tablet With Premium Design, Android 13 Teased Ahead Of 2023 Launch

5. Other Important Features In Android 13 Beta 2

• Apart from the above changes, the Android 13 Beta 2 update brings some minor tweaks as well. In the Battery Saver settings, you will notice that the minimum battery saver percentage is 10%, instead of 5%.
• The release of Android 13 beta 2 also includes the ‘Always Show Icon When In Vibrate Mode’ option which is located under Settings > Sound & Vibration. If you enable this new toggle and if your smartphone is on vibrate mode, then the vibrate icon will be shown in the status bar.
• Google also has tweaked the Display Size And Text in the Android 13 Beta 2 update.
• In the Android 13 Beta 1 release, the Pixel Launcher’s search feature was missing and devices retreated back to the old Search experience. However, Google has added a replacement for it in Beta 2, which works for app search only.
• When setting up Dark Mode schedules, you now have a new option to enable the darkened theme automatically when your phone enters the Bedtime Mode. 
• Google also has solved some issues reported by developers. In some scenarios, Bluetooth headsets failed to accept calls or even play call audio. This issue has been solved. Additionally, some devices would get stuck at the Google logo during startup after receiving an OTA update. This issue is also addressed as well.

Android 13 Beta 2 Issues Resolved:

Developer-reported issues

1. Fixed an issue where some devices were unable to connect to the wireless carrier network after installing Android 13 Beta 1. (Issue #230538853)
2. Fixed an issue where QR code scanning would sometimes not work when selected from the Quick Settings tile. (Issue #230513882)
3. Fixed an issue where app icons would occasionally fail to appear after the user unlocked the device. (Issue #230851024)

Other resolved issues

1. Fixed an issue where Bluetooth headsets would sometimes fail to accept calls or play call audio.
2. Fixed an issue where Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro devices would crash and reboot if more than 300 apps were installed.
3. Fixed an issue where Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro devices would reboot constantly when Bluetooth was enabled.
4. Fixed a regression in Android Keystore that caused some apps to crash on launch.
5. Fixed an issue wherein some cases the system would incorrectly display an empty notification group from an app.
6. Fixed an issue where long-pressing Bluetooth from the settings drawer caused the UI to crash.
7. Fixed an issue where devices would sometimes get stuck at the Google logo during startup after receiving an OTA update.
8. Fixed an issue where suspending the device while a USB-C headset was plugged in would cause the device to crash and restart.

Android 13 Beta 2 Compatible Device List

The Android 13 beta 2 will be available for all the Pixel series devices and some more smartphones from other OEMs. Here’s the list of devices that will run Android 13 Beta 2:

1. ASUS Zenfone 8 (ASUS 8z)
2. Google Pixel 4a
3. Google Pixel 4a 5G
4. Google Pixel 4
5. Google Pixel 4 XL
6. Google Pixel 5
7. Google Pixel 5a
8. Google Pixel 6
9. Google Pixel 6 Pro
10. Lenovo P12 Pro
11. OnePlus 10 Pro
12. OPPO Find N
13. OPPO Find X5 Pro
14. Realme GT 2 Pro
15. Sharp Aquos Sense 6
16. Tecno Camon 19 Pro
17. Vivo X80 Pro
18. Xiaomi 12
19. Xiaomi 12 Pro
20. Xiaomi Pad 5
21. ZTE Axon 40 Ultra

How To Install Android 13 Beta 2 On Android Smartphone?

To install Android 13 beta 2 on your smartphone, you will have to follow the below steps.

1. Visit the Android 13 Beta Program page.
2. You will have to log in to your primary Google account if needed.
3. After visiting the page, you will have to click the View Eligible Devices button to go to the device list.
4. Tap on the Opt-In button.
5. Choose the beta program you want to opt-in. You will have to choose the Android 13 Beta Program.
6. Read the Terms And Conditions, check for the relevant boxes then tap on the Confirm And Enroll button.
7. Once done, head over to Settings > System > Advanced > System Update > Check For Update.

If you want to opt-out of the program, you will have to head over to the Android Beta Program site and select ‘Opt Out’ under Your Eligible Devices where you clicked ‘Opt In‘.

Have you installed the Android 13 Beta 2 update on your smartphone? Let us know in the comments section below.