Google has just released the final beta for Android 11. Which is Android 11 Beta 3. And it is basically a release candidate, as it is pretty much the final version that we will see launch in the next few weeks.
There was a leak from Google itself that the stable version would launch on September 8. So we’re a little over a month away right now.
What’s new in Android 11 Beta 3?
There’s not a whole lot that’s going to be new in Android 11 Beta 3. In fact, there’s nothing new. Google has just been straightening everything out and tying up any loose ends before it launches next month.
Google is, however advising developers to “release compatible updates for apps, SDKs and libraries.” And with Android 11, Google has finalized “all app-facing surfaces and behaviors” with the previous release. This basically gives developers about an extra month of time to get their apps ready before everyone jumps onto Android 11.
Android 11 is going to launch before the end of September. That’s when Q3 ends and Google has said that it would launch in Q3. Though we have seen the September 8 date a few times, so we’re still putting our money there.
With Android 11, it is letting Exposure notification apps run without needing the device location setting turned on. The reason for this is to help eliminate the perception that “location” is needed for these exposure notifications to work.
According to Google, “This is an exception we’re making for the Exposure Notification System only, given that it has been designed in such a way that apps using it can’t infer device location through Bluetooth scanning. To protect user privacy, all other apps will still be prohibited from performing Bluetooth scanning unless the device location setting is on and the user has granted them location permission.”
Where can I download it?
You can download Android 11 Beta 3 from the Android Developer site now.
Google is starting to roll out the OTA, but if you want to flash the system image, it is available. And available for the Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, Pixel 3a, Pixel 3a XL, Pixel 4, and Pixel 4 XL.
For those that might be interested, this is going to be build RPB3.200720.005.
If you aren’t already in the Beta Program, you’ll need to enroll to get this beta. But at this point, you might as well just wait a few more weeks for Android 11 to hit your device. As it is coming very, very soon. We’re talking less than a month away.