What you need to know
- Google released Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2 about a month ago, fixing significant bugs, and now Beta 2.1 is out with a number of bug fixes.
- The latest update, AP21.240305.005, including the March 2024 security patch, is available for a variety of supported devices, from the Pixel 5a to the latest Pixel models.
- Notable issues in QPR3 Beta 2.1 include launcher crashes, charging issues, frozen apps, and navigation glitches, although they are not as severe as the initial Beta 2 release.
It’s been about a month since Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2 was released, and Google has had to deal with some major bugs with it. It looks like the search giant is still at it as Google today released Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2.1 with a bunch of bug fixes.
While we’ll probably get QPR3 Beta 3 in a few weeks, Google is kicking off QPR3 Beta 2.1 in April, which comes with another unexpectedly large batch of bug fixes, including the following:
- Fixed an issue that sometimes caused the device launcher to crash when trying to view recent apps. (Issue #328803294)
- Fixed an issue that sometimes prevented Pixel Tablets from charging while connected to a dock. (Issue number 299800125)
- Fixed an issue where swiping up from the bottom of the screen would not always return to the home screen.
- Fixed an issue that caused the notification layout to display on the lock screen with extra padding.
- Fixed various issues that caused frequent “Application Not Responding” errors for system and user applications.
- Fixed an issue where swiping down from the top of the screen did not always display the notification screen.
- Fixed an issue for Pixel Fold devices where sometimes when the device was unfolded, only half of the inner screen displayed content.
- Fixed an issue that sometimes prevented user background settings from backing up correctly.
- Fixed an issue that sometimes stopped the “Quick Touch to Start Actions” gesture from working.
- Fixed various other issues affecting system stability, performance, connectivity, interactivity and camera.
The latest update (AP21.240305.005), including the March 2024 security patch, is now available for download on all supported devices: Pixel 5a, 6, 6 Pro, 6a, 7, 7 Pro, 7a, 8, 8 Pro, Pixel Fold and the Pixel Tablet.
A few prominent issues to mention are launcher crashes, charging issues, frozen apps, navigation glitches, display issues and loads more. It’s not as bad as the mess we had with the original Beta 2 release last month. However, QPR3 is a bit suspect right now, so you might want to hold off on installing it on your favorite Android phone.
We still don’t know if Google has fixed the OTA sideloading issue from last month, which caused some devices to end up being blocked until the files are downloaded.
Google’s stance remains the same, advising testers to just wait for the OTA update; no side loading required.
If you’re already part of the Android 14 Beta program, you’ll receive the QPR3 Beta 2.1 update automatically via an OTA (over-the-air) download.