The top Android 14 settings you’ll want to change right now

If you’re looking for cool new features to try on your phone, check out the Android 14 update. The latest OS version has many improvements and additions. We picked the best ones to make your Android 14 experience more enjoyable and productive. One perk of having a Google Pixel phone is getting the latest Android updates as soon as they’re available. If you have a Pixel 4a (5G) or a newer model, you can update to Android 14 right now. The Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro have Android 14 preinstalled. The update will roll out to other phones, usually going to the best Android phones first.

1 Customize your lock screen

Move over, Good Lock. Android’s new lock screens are here to compete. While Google’s expanded customization options have more in common with Apple’s tools in iOS than Samsung’s add-on, you’ll find plenty of new options in Android 14, and more are likely to come in future updates. Here’s how to switch up what your lock screen looks like on a Pixel device:

1. On your lock screen, press and hold the clock.
2. Select the Customize lock screen button that appears at the bottom of the screen.
3. Unlock your phone.

   

   

4. The Wallpaper & style page appears in the settings, making it easy to trick out your phone’s lock screen.

   

Plenty of options are worth exploring. In Android 14, it starts with your clock style. Swipe back and forth on this menu to view different clocks. There’s something for everyone, from subtle analog options to cartoony numbers packed with color. And there’s a bonus. Everything syncs with Material You, Google’s newest design standards.

After selecting your clock, you can change its color and size in a submenu. Then, check out the pre-existing settings, including options for lock screen shortcuts, Now Playing, and more.

2 Activate predictive back gestures

One of the biggest changes to arrive in Android 14 is in the developer settings. We have a separate guide on what predictive back gestures are and how to activate them. In Android 14, Google’s new back animation lets you preview what appears on-screen when you complete your swipe. It’s a complicated feature, but our guide helps break everything down.

If you’re not familiar with predictive back gestures, here’s how to turn them on:

1. If you haven’t activated developer mode on your phone, you must turn it on first. Go to your Settings menu, and choose About phone.
2. Scroll down and tap the Build number option seven times until you see the message You are now a developer.

   

   

3. Go back to the main Settings menu and choose System.
4. Scroll down and select Developer options.

   

   

5. Toggle on Predictive back animations.
6. Tap OK to accept the warning prompt that appears on the screen.

   

   

App developers need to add and activate support for this feature in their apps. Not all third-party apps are compatible with predictive gestures. However, most Google system apps support this feature, so watch for it as you navigate Android 14.

3 Use your camera flash as a notification trigger

Notification LEDs have gone extinct on Android devices. You’ll still find an occasional device that has one, but for the most part, the always-on displays have replaced the need for basic flashing bulbs.

That changes with Android 14, which adds the ability to use your phone’s flashlight as a makeshift notification trigger. It might be a little obnoxious to those around you, but if you’re looking for an obvious way to see when a message or other alert rolls into your phone, here’s how it’s done:

1. From the main Settings menu, choose Notifications.
2. Scroll down to General, then tap Flash notifications.

   

   

3. Toggle on Camera flash. If you’re curious about how notifications look, tap the option below for a preview.

   

If you want something subtle, activate
Screen flash
. Your display flashes the color of your choice when you receive a new notification. It’s yellow by default.

You can’t adjust the duration or other settings involved here. You also can’t change the slow double flash. Still, this is a useful feature, both for accessibility and for audiences at large.

4 Adjust your regional preferences

Whether you’re a world traveler or a resident of multiple countries, you’ll want to adjust your regional preferences. This year’s Android update takes things one step further in what feels like a sequel to the per-app language options added in Android 13. Regional preferences were unveiled in an early developer preview this year. These preferences make selecting the units you want for specific apps easy.

From swapping between Celsius and Fahrenheit to selecting the first day of the week, it’s a helpful tool for anyone who is away from home.

1. From the main Settings menu, select System.
2. Select Languages from the top of the menu.

   

   

3. Select Regional preferences.
4. Select from the various options available on your device. When apps support regional preferences, they pull from this menu rather than using default per-app settings.

   

   

Look for the new shapes on your lock screen as you enter your PIN.

5 Automatically confirm an unlock PIN

If you’ve been a Pixel user for years, you might not know how good anyone with a Samsung phone has had it when unlocking their home screen. We’re talking about entering your PIN. While every Pixel phone has made you tap an additional button confirming your passcode, Samsung and other Android OEMs automatically unlock after you enter the correct code. It might not seem like a big deal, but it can become bothersome.

Android 14 fixes this on Pixel devices. It’s easy to activate. Here’s how:

1. Go to the Settings menu, then select Security & privacy.
2. Select Device unlock.

   

   

3. Tap the gear icon next to PIN to adjust your screen lock settings.
4. Toggle on Auto-confirm unlock. You’ll need a six-digit or longer PIN to activate it.

   

   

Turn on
Enhanced PIN privacy
to turn off flashing animations when typing your PIN, making it difficult for onlookers to see the code.

That’s it. Not only do you have a more secure lock screen, but accessing your content is easier than ever.

There’s more to come in Android 14

Android 14 introduces several long-awaited changes to the operating system, including over 60 new or updated features, like predictive back gestures and lock screen customization. This big update isn’t only about bug fixes and security updates. If this is your first Android device, some cool enhancements can make your phone fun and easy to use.