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Nothing has released the second Android 14 beta update for the Nothing Phone (2). The latest beta build for the new Android version, which brings Nothing OS 2.5 to the company’s smartphones, introduced a host of new features and improvements. The stable release is expected in early 2024.
The Nothing Phone (2) gets Android 14 Open Beta 2
Last month, Nothing launched an open beta program for public testing of its Android 14-based Nothing OS 2.5. As expected, the Nothing Phone (2) was prioritized over the first-gen model, though the company promised to add the latter to the beta program before the end of 2023. While that hasn’t happened yet, the newer model is now getting Beta 2.
According to the official announcement, the latest beta build brings several new features for the Glyph Interface. Nothing has added Google Calendar integration to the flashy LED system on the phone’s back. It will notify you of upcoming events with a 5-minute countdown. The Glyph Timer now supports time presets and can be opened directly from the lock screen, without unlocking the device.
The Glyph Timer pop-up window also supports tap-to-open and works with the Quick Settings widget. Last but not least, Android 14 Open Beta 2 for the Nothing Phone (2) brings a new Glyph animation for NFC. As for functional improvements, Nothing says all of its first-party apps now support Android 14’s Predictive Back. The double-press gesture for the power button adds more options.
Additionally, Nothing has improved the reliability of the three-finger swipe gesture and updated status bar icons. It has also fixed some bugs present in Beta 1 and improved system UI elements for more reliable functioning. Overall, Android 14 Open Beta 2 is a relatively big update that will breathe new life into your Nothing OS experience. Hopefully, the Nothing Phone (1) will get this update soon.
Enroll in the beta program to try the new features
Users who enrolled their Nothing Phone (2) in the beta program and have already installed Beta 1 will receive the latest update over the air (OTA) within the next few days. To check for it, you can go to Settings > System > System Update. However, if you haven’t joined the beta program yet, you have to sideload this APK first (since it is provided by Nothing, it should be safe).
Once you have installed the APK, navigate to Settings > System > Update to Beta version and tap on “Check for new version.” Now, follow the on-screen instructions to install Nothing OS 2.5 Beta. You will get Beta 2 will all the content of Beta 1. Note that beta software may be unstable and may require a factory reset, so it’s a good idea to back up important data beforehand. Stay tuned for information on Android 14 beta for the Nothing Phone (1).