Jason Cipriani/ZDNet

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On Wednesday Google announced the release of Android 13 Beta 4, which is the final beta release for the mobile operating system. Beta 4 includes the release candidate build of Android 13 for Pixel phones, along with the RC build of the Android emulator. If you've been waiting to sign up for the Android beta program until the builds have become more stable, this is a good time to sign up. 

Google is urging Android developers to finalize testing their apps ahead of the official release, which will happen in "a few weeks." 

Android 13 includes several new features and improvements to the mobile operating system, which powers billions of devices around the globe. New features include even more Material You theming options, privacy improvements based on how apps access your photo library, and a prompt for granting an app permission to send notifications to your phone. There's also a new permission for apps that require access to nearby WiFi devices. 

Google released Android 12 in October of 2021, which was later than the company previously released major Android updates. Android 10 and 11 were released in September, while Android Pie (9) was released in August. 

The update usually starts with Google's Pixel phones, and then eventually makes its way to other phone makers, depending on how long it takes them to implement the changes. 

Have you installed the Android 13 beta? If so, what are your thoughts on the changes and new features? Let us know in the comments below.

See also

Android 14's AI-generated wallpapers are super fun. Here's how to create themHow to turn on flash notifications on Android 14 (and why you should)How to mirror your Android phone to a TV -- 3 easy waysHow to enable UWB on Android (and why you should)

• Android 14's AI-generated wallpapers are super fun. Here's how to create them
• How to turn on flash notifications on Android 14 (and why you should)
• How to mirror your Android phone to a TV -- 3 easy ways
• How to enable UWB on Android (and why you should)