Android 13 enters third beta phase, reaches platform stability ahead of release

Android 13 has come a long way from its first developer preview at the start of the year, as Google has announced its upcoming operating system is now entering its third public beta phase of its lifecycle. More importantly though, this new Beta 3 phase also marks Android 13 reaching Platform Stability.

By hitting Platform Stability, Android 13 is basically stable enough for all app-facing behaviours and APIs to be finalised. App developers in particular then will be pleased to know that they can begin developing and updating their compatibility patches for their apps knowing that the platform won’t have any more major changes to it. Google is also asking for app and game developers to start their final compatibility testing as soon as possible ahead of Android 13’s final release.

“We’re asking all app and game developers to start your final compatibility testing now and prepare to publish your compatibility updates as soon as possible ahead of the final release.

For all SDK, library, tools, and game engine developers, it’s even more important to start testing now and release your compatible updates as soon as possible—your downstream app and game developers may be blocked until they receive your updates,” – Dave Burke, Google Vice President of Engineering

There isn’t much in terms of new changes in this latest update for Android 13, but Burke did add on some stuff that developers will want to take note of in terms of app compatibility. For starters, those who want to test their apps for compatibility will first need to get a compatible device running Android 13 Beta 3. Then, simply install your app onto it and check for things like functional and UI issues, as well as some Android 13-specific issues such working with a new runtime permission for notifications and using Android 13’s new clipboard preview correctly.

Android 13 will also build on the plethora of tablet and large-screen optimisations introduced in the Android 12L special feature drop. Apps will need to take that into account, specifically how it responds with things like taskbar interaction and multi-window mode on large screen Android 13 devices. With the Google Play Store having new checks in place to ensure each app plays will regardless of the screen size, app developers will need to make certain their app is compatible on the glut of Android devices out there.

For more information on Android 13 entering Beta 3, you can check out Burke’s full update on the Android Developers website here.