The new version of Android is a step up over its predecessor, but you’ll have to squint to see some of the differences.
Android 13 is here for Google’s Pixel devices, and if you’re wielding a compatible model, you can grab the software now by requesting the over-the-air update in the settings panel. The software update is available for the Pixel 4 and up, including the latest Pixel 6a release. Note that this is a staggered rollout, so you might not have access to the update yet.
We’ve covered Android 13’s changes throughout each version of the beta. But if you’re still on Android 12 or an older version, you might wonder what the new features will look like. There’s not much that stands out in terms of interface design. While Android 13 is essentially the refined version of what Android 12 attempted to be, you might have difficulty telling what’s new. I combed through Android 13 on a Pixel 6 Pro and Android 12 on a Pixel 5 to find some of the major differences. Here’s what I managed to scope out with the first rollout of Android 13.
Note that this is not what the software will look like when it’s available for smartphones manufactured by companies like Samsung and OnePlus, as they use custom versions on their respective devices. Android 13 is still on its way to those smartphones.
Alright, first things first: if you want Android 13 on your compatible Pixel smartphone, you’ll need to figure out if it’s rolled out to you yet. That depends on things like your carrier, but you can see if you can download the update by going to your settings panel and requesting it.
If you were on the Android 13 beta, you might have already received your software update prompt. But if you weren’t enrolled in the program, don’t be surprised if you still don’t see the ability to install Android 13.
I would encourage you not to bother with Android’s developer tools to try to force the update onto your device, especially if you don’t know what you’re doing. You can still enroll your Pixel devices in the Android 13 beta if you’re desperate for the update.
I’m excited to announce that, by default, apps won’t bother you in Android 13. In Android 12 and before, if you wanted to shut up an app, you had to dig into the app’s settings and shut it up manually.
