Android Q: Everything you need to know

Have a look at Android Q release date, features, and everything else you need to know, including eligible devices and how to install the software.

Android Q is the next version of Android OS. The Android naming scheme is alphabetical and so, Q follows P (for Android Pie). The official name has not been announced yet, but we do know that it is the name of a dessert and starts with Q.

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Android Q Release Date

On the 13th of March, 2019, Google released the first developer preview and public beta of Android Q beta for Pixel, Pixel 2, and Pixel 3 devices. That means that you do not have to be a developer to get the first taste of Q.

Note though that the beta software is full of bugs and will be unstable in many ways, so you might want to make sure you are not installing it on your primary smartphone.

Note that this is just the first beta. there are 6 more stages of the beta software till the final public release. Here is a timeline of the release dates of the different beta stages of Android Q:

Android Q Release Date Timeline

By the 3rd quarter of this year, the final, public release of Android Q will roll out and manufacturers can start pushing updates, as well as ship it with new smartphones.

Android Q features

Here are some of the key features and improvements that the next version of Android OS come with:

1. System-wide Dark Mode: Finally, Android OS gets system-wide Dark Mode, including a feature that forces the dark theme on 3rd party apps that do not have it built in.
2. Support for foldable screens: 2019 is the year that foldable screens and others hit the mainstream market. Q has deeper support to make these devices work smoothly.
3. Support for image depth data: Smartphone cameras are shooting images with serious depth of field these days, and Android Q offers support for sharing and using that extra information across apps. Developers will find this nifty in creating apps that can pull off better image editing.
4. Enhanced support for OpenGL: Gamers rejoice! Q brings you better gaming performance.
5. Face ID authentication: Want to login to your apps with facial recognition? Android Q has got you.
6. Native screen recording: Screen recording finally gets built into Android OS.
7. Back button replaced with gestures: if you are not used to gestures as a means of navigation on your smartphone, it is time to start practicing and getting comfortable with it. Android Q is set to do away with the traditional navigation keys, including the Back button, and replace them with gestures.
8. More convenient, more flexible permissions:  apps that ask for your location will now reveal a new pop-up asking you if you want to grant location access all the time, only when the app’s being used, or not at all. A new permissions page also lists out what permissions each app is using.
9. Faster Share menu: Android’s share menu is very handy but often sluggish when you need it. It gets faster in Android Q.
10. Share Wi-fi password via QR code: instead of telling people the password to your hotspot, just present a QR code and have them scan it to connect.

We will update this page as more Android Q features emerge.

How To Get Android Q Now

You can sign up for the beta on the Android Beta Program website for your Pixel, Pixel 2, or Pixel 3 device. This means, all the following devices are eligible:

• Pixel
• Pixel XL
• Pixel 2
• Pixel 2 XL
• Pixel 3
• Pixel 3 XL

If you own one of these, you are good to go. Sign up your Pixel smartphone for the beta programme here, and you will get an over-the-air (OTA) update on your phone to download and install the Android Q software.

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