Google has released Beta 4 of Android Q bringing the final Android Q APIs for developers. The Beta 4 update includes the latest Android Q system images for Pixel and Android Emulator, along with the final Android Q developer APIs (API level 29), the official API 29 SDK, and updated build tools for Android Studio.
Together, these give developers everything they need to test their apps for compatibility with Android Q and build with Android Q features and APIs. Beta 4 doesn’t really bring any new features — it’s more about finalising what was already added.
With Beta 4, Google is also opening publishing on Google Play to apps that are compiled against, or optionally targeting, API 29. You can thus now push updates to users through Google Play to test your app’s compatibility, including on devices running Android Q Beta 4.
To get started, install your current app from Google Play onto a device or emulator running Beta 4, work through the user flows, and make sure it handles the Android Q behaviour changes. If you find issues, fix them in the current app without changing your targeting level (migration guide, privacy checklist). When you’re done, update your app’s targetSdkVersion to ‘Q’.
If you plan to update your platform targeting to API 29, also make sure to test with scoped storage, location permission for wireless scans, and permission for fullscreen intents.
In addition to the Google Pixels, the full list of other supported third-party devices is as follows: Asus ZenFone 5Z, Essential Phone, Huawei Mate 20 Pro, LGE G8, Nokia 8.1, OnePlus 6T, Oppo Reno, Realme 3 Pro, Sony Xperia XZ3, Tecno Spark 3 Pro, Vivo X27, Vivo Nex S, Vivo Nex A, Xiaomi Mi 9, and Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G.
With final APIs, you might think we’re getting close to release, but there are still two more betas (release candidate) scheduled before the final version, which will be out as “Android 10” sometime in Q3.
- Beta 5 (release candidate for testing)
- Beta 6 (release candidate for final testing)
- Q3: Final release to AOSP and ecosystem.
