Final Round of Bug Fixes Arrive with Android 14 Beta 5.1 Release

Earlier this month, Google surprised us with an unexpected move by introducing a fifth Android 14 beta release, despite strongly hinting last month that the fourth beta would be the final step before the stable release. And so, Android 14 Beta 5 came into the scene.

Today, the release of Android 14 Beta 5.1 is upon us, marked by its slight version increment that signifies its focus on addressing bugs – hopefully, the last ones. As we anticipate the arrival of the official stable release, we do so with cautious optimism, given the turbulent journey that the Android 14 beta phase has presented thus far.

The official changelog for this release outlines four specific fixes, but there might be additional changes beneath the surface that haven’t been explicitly mentioned. The resolved issues include a bug that caused SIM card detection to fail when Fixed Dialing Number features were activated; another that led to connectivity disruptions for devices on carriers utilizing 5G standalone mode; an issue that resulted in a blank home screen for some devices after unlocking; and lastly, the temporary disabling of the “feather-styled” live wallpaper to address its performance impact.

Google assures users that the temporarily disabled live wallpaper will be reinstated once the underlying concerns have been fully addressed. Could this mean it will make a return in Beta 5.2? Time will unveil the answer.

If your eligible Pixel device is part of the Android Beta program, anticipate an over-the-air delivery of this update in the near future.