Android 14 arrives with a suite of advancements designed to empower developers, enhance user privacy, and optimize performance. This release focuses on refining the developer experience and building more robust, secure, and user-centric applications. Let's dive into some of the most impactful new features you can leverage.
Privacy and Security Enhancements
Android 14 places an even greater emphasis on user privacy. Key updates include:
- Granular Media Permissions: Users now have more control over which photos and videos apps can access, with options to grant access to selected media rather than all. This is implemented through new APIs that allow you to request access to specific media files.
- Restricting Background Activity Launchers: To prevent malicious apps from launching activities in the background, Android 14 enforces stricter rules. Apps targeting Android 14 cannot launch activities from the background without explicit user interaction or a foreground service.
- Enhanced Credential Manager: The Credential Manager API provides a unified interface for authentication, supporting password-based sign-ins and passkeys, making secure authentication simpler and more accessible.
Improved User Experience and Customization
Android 14 offers new tools to create more engaging and personalized user experiences:
- Per-app Language Preferences: Building on previous versions, Android 14 allows users to set language preferences on a per-app basis more effectively. Your app can now better detect and adapt to these preferences, offering a truly global experience.
- Predictive Back Gestures: This feature provides a visual preview of where the user will navigate when they perform the back gesture. Ensure your app is compatible by implementing the new back-to-back API for a smoother navigation flow.
- Font Scaling: Android 14 supports up to 200% font scaling, ensuring better accessibility for users with visual impairments. Test your UI thoroughly to ensure it remains legible and functional at larger font sizes.
Performance and Battery Optimization
Efficiency remains a core tenet of Android development, and Android 14 brings further optimizations:
- Optimized Broadcasts: System broadcasts are now more efficient, reducing battery drain and improving overall system responsiveness.
- Background Service Improvements: Android 14 introduces new restrictions and optimizations for background services, encouraging developers to use more efficient alternatives like WorkManager where appropriate.
New APIs and Developer Tools
Explore these new APIs to unlock the full potential of Android 14:
- OpenSDK APIs for Jetpack Compose: Leverage new open SDK APIs to build modern UI with Jetpack Compose, offering more flexibility and control.
- Partial Screen Sharing: Allow users to share or record just a specific app instead of their entire screen, enhancing privacy and control.
- Health Connect Integration: Android 14 integrates Health Connect as a part of the platform, providing a centralized place for health and fitness data, with user consent.
Here's a glimpse of how you might handle granular media permissions:
import android.Manifest;
import android.content.pm.PackageManager;
import androidx.activity.result.ActivityResultLauncher;
import androidx.activity.result.contract.ActivityResultContracts;
import androidx.core.content.ContextCompat;
// ... inside your Activity or Fragment
private final ActivityResultLauncher requestMediaPermissionsLauncher =
registerForActivityResult(new ActivityResultContracts.RequestMultiplePermissions(), permissions -> {
boolean readMediaImagesGranted = permissions.getOrDefault(
Manifest.permission.READ_MEDIA_IMAGES, false);
boolean readMediaVideoGranted = permissions.getOrDefault(
Manifest.permission.READ_MEDIA_VIDEO, false);
if (readMediaImagesGranted || readMediaVideoGranted) {
// Permissions granted, proceed to access media
openImagePicker();
} else {
// Permissions denied, show a message to the user
Toast.makeText(this, "Media access denied", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
}
});
private void checkAndRequestMediaPermissions() {
if (ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(this, Manifest.permission.READ_MEDIA_IMAGES) == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED ||
ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(this, Manifest.permission.READ_MEDIA_VIDEO) == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
// Permissions already granted
openImagePicker();
} else {
// Request permissions
requestMediaPermissionsLauncher.launch(new String[]{
Manifest.permission.READ_MEDIA_IMAGES,
Manifest.permission.READ_MEDIA_VIDEO
});
}
}
private void openImagePicker() {
// Implement your logic to open an image picker or access media
Log.d("MediaPermissions", "Accessing media...");
}
// Call checkAndRequestMediaPermissions() when needed, e.g., on a button click
Conclusion
Android 14 represents a significant step forward, offering developers powerful tools to build exceptional applications. By embracing these new features, you can enhance your app's security, user experience, and performance, ensuring it stands out in the ever-evolving Android ecosystem. Remember to test your applications thoroughly on devices running Android 14 to ensure compatibility and to take full advantage of these exciting advancements.