Top Android 14 settings you’ll want to change right away

If you’re looking for cool new features to try on your phone, update to Android 14. The latest version of the OS comes with many improvements and additions. We’ve picked the best to make your Android 14 experience more enjoyable and productive, especially compared to Android 13.

One of the benefits of a Google Pixel phone is that you’ll be switching to the latest Android updates as soon as they’re available. If you have a Pixel 4a (5G) or later, you can update to Android 14 and start exploring. If you have the latest Google Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro, these phones come with Android 14 pre-installed.

1 Lock screen customization

Move over, Good Lock. Android’s new lock screens are here to compete. While Google’s expanded customization options have more in common with Apple’s tools in iOS than Samsung’s add-ons, you’ll find plenty of new options in Android 14, and there’s likely to be more in future updates. Here’s how to change the look of your Pixel lock screen:

1. On the lock screen, press and hold a watch.
2. Select the button for Customize your lock screen which appears at the bottom of the screen.
3. Unlock your phone.

   

   

4. This takes you to Background and style page in settings, making it easy to trick your phone’s lock screen.

   

There are many options worth exploring. In Android 14, it starts with your watch style. Swipe back and forth on this menu to view different clocks. There’s something for everyone, from subtle analog options to cartoony numbers bursting with color. And there is a bonus. Everything is synchronized with the material that suits you.

After choosing your clock, you can change its color and size in the submenu. Then check your existing settings, including options for Lock Screen Shortcuts, Now Playing, and more.

2 Activate predictive back movements

One of the biggest changes in Android 14 is in the developer settings. We have a separate guide on what predictive back movements are and how to activate them. In Android 14, Google’s new back animation lets you preview what’s on the screen when you’re done swiping. It’s a complicated feature, but our guide helps break it down.

If you’re familiar with predictive back movements, here’s how to turn them on:

1. Make sure you use gesture navigation on your smartphone.
2. From the main settings menu, go to developer options. If you haven’t activated developer mode on your phone, you’ll need to do so.
   1. Find Eye settings section, then find your build a number.
   2. Tap this number a few times until you get a warning that developer options are unlocked.
   3. Return to the main settings menu.
3. Developer options are located under System when unlocked.

   

   

4. Look for Predictive back animations at the bottom of the list and turn it on.
5. Accept the warning prompt that appears on your screen.

   

   

App developers need to add and activate support for this feature, so it may not work right away. However, many of Google’s system apps support this feature, so keep an eye out for it as you navigate Android 14.

3 Flash as a notification trigger

Notification LEDs have turned off on Android devices. You’ll still find the occasional device that has one, not to mention bigger, more extravagant gimmicks like the Glyph lights on the back of Nothing’s phones. For the most part, always-on displays have replaced the need for basic flashing light bulbs.

That changes with Android 14. This year’s OS upgrade adds the ability to use your phone’s flashlight as a makeshift notification trigger. It might be a little embarrassing for those around you. If you’re looking for an obvious way to see when a message or other alert arrives on your phone, here’s how:

1. From the main one settings menu, find it Notifications.
2. Scroll down to In generalthen tap Flash notifications.

   

   

3. Turn on turn on Camera flash. If you’re interested in what the notifications look like, tap the option below to preview.

   

4. If you want something more subtle, activate Screen flasher. Your screen flashes a color of your choice (yellow by default) when something new comes to your phone.

Here you can’t adjust the duration or other settings involved, nor can you change the slow double flash. Still, this is a useful feature, both for accessibility and for the audience at large.

4 Adjusting regional preferences

Whether you’re a world traveler or a multi-country resident, you’ll want to adjust your regional settings on the fly. This year’s Android update goes a step further in what appears to be a continuation of the per-app language options added in Android 13. Introduced in an early developer preview this year, regional settings make it easier to choose the units you want for specific apps.

From switching between Celsius and Fahrenheit to selecting the first day of the week, it’s a useful tool for anyone away from home.

1. From the main one settings menu, select System.
2. choose Languages from the top of the menu, then select Regional preferences.

   

   

3. Choose from the different options available on your device. When apps support regional settings, they pull from this menu instead of using the default per-app settings.

   

As a bonus, look for fancy new shapes on the lock screen as you enter your PIN.

5 Automatic unlock confirmation

If you’ve been a Pixel user for years, you might not know how good anyone with a Samsung phone has been at unlocking the home screen. We are talking about entering a PIN. While every Pixel phone makes you tap an extra button to confirm your passcode, Samsung and other Android OEMs automatically unlock once you enter the correct passcode.

Android 14 fixes this on Pixel devices and is easy to activate. Here’s how:

1. Go to settings menu, then select Security and privacy.
2. choose Unlocking the device.

   

   

3. Touch gear icon next to PIN to adjust screen lock settings.
4. Turn on turn on Automatic unlock confirmation. You will need a six-digit or longer PIN for activation.

   

   

5. While you’re there, tune in Improved PIN privacy. This setting turns off flashing animations when entering a PIN, making it difficult for onlookers to see the code.

That’s it. Not only do you have a more secure lock screen, but accessing your content is easier than ever.

The best is yet to come

Android 14 introduces several long-awaited features, including more than 60 new or updated features such as predictive back gestures and lock screen customization. It’s not just about bug fixes and security updates. You’ll find some cool improvements that make your phone fun and easy to use.