Every major Android update offers new features, new changes, and things to get used to. With Android 11, however, many of the customizations are behind the scenes, and some of them can have a huge impact on the use of your device. Now that Android 11 is in full swing, there are a few things you can expect when you install the update on your phone.
New features
As usual, the biggest thing you will see in Android 11 is a bunch of new features. There is nothing major in this update that has a big impact, but there are some very useful new tweaks to existing features that many users will definitely enjoy. Here is an outline of the biggest additions.
Better messages
Currently, messaging is in many cases the primary use for our phones, and with apps like Google Messages, Telegram, Signal and more that are popular, Google is making money by improving what Android is capable of.
It occurs in two ways on Android 11. First of all, the notification screens automatically sort notifications so that message conversations are anchored at the top. They still behave as usual, you will first see them at the top of the list.
Secondly, there are ‘bubbles’. With this feature, notifications can appear in a floating window above other applications that can link on the side of the screen when not in use. You may recognize the feature of Facebook Messenger, which launched ‘Chat Heads’ on Android a few years ago. It is a useful tool to manage your various messages without constantly switching back and forth between applications.
Bubbles is a core feature of Android 11, so it will be seen on any smartphone with the update, though it may be disabled by default. This is the case, for example, on Samsung devices. However, it is worth noting that you also need to support the feature through the app you are using.
Wireless Android Car
Android Auto has basically become a standard for most modern cars, and it only gets better with time. On some newer vehicles and after-sales units, Android Auto is available wirelessly, eliminating the need to plug in a cable. On Android 10 and earlier, it needs support per device, mostly Pixel and Samsung devices. With Android 11, it’s open to everyone.
Quick test for smart home controls
If you’ve invested in smart devices like lights, vacuum cleaners and cameras, one of the most handy features in this update is a new quick menu to control the devices. On Pixels and other devices you will find this feature in the power menu, possibly under a “Cards and Passes” carousel integrated with Google Pay.
With this menu, the one-touch switch for lights and appliances in your home can be turned on without shutting down the application you are using. It is fast and very convenient, plus it works with various applications and services. The Google Home app is perhaps the most useful, but others work, including Xiaomi’s Mi Home app. Over time, other programs are likely to be added as well.
This feature is especially not mandatory for Android partners to use on their devices. It’s on Pixels, OnePlus devices and others. In some cases, however, it has been shifted or even limited. On Samsung Galaxy devices, for example, the feature is only available on One UI 3.1 and is not under the power menu, but rather the “Devices” button in the notification box.
Better media controls
Whether you are listening to music or streaming video, media applications are important for all users. On Android 11, Google consolidated all media notifications in one place. There are two important benefits associated with it. First, the controls may persist even if you close the program. This means you can go where you left off without reopening the app yourself.
Another benefit? This new user interface gives you the opportunity to change the output source for music. Now it’s easy to switch the phone’s speaker from the phone to a Bluetooth device or vice versa. It was a feature of some third-party skins, like Samsung, but now it’s a native Android feature.
As with many of these features, this one varies by location depending on the device you are using. On Samsung One UI 3, there is a “Media” button that contains the new media controls.
Screen recorder for pixels
Good news for Pixel owners! After years of waiting, Android 11 eventually delivers an official screen recorder to Android. This feature, famously, has been available on numerous Android skins for years, including on Samsung Galaxy phones. The functionality was also available through third-party apps, but now it’s an officially integrated feature. You can access the menu via the quick settings.
Now the autofill is on the keyboard
If you use a password manager (and you should), the autofill on Android will get an upgrade. Instead of relying entirely on pop-ups, the keyboard now shows autofill programs like 1Password and LastPass. This is a simple change, but one for the better!
One-time permissions
Another security change in Android 11 is the ability to set a one-time permission. Instead of just giving an app the opportunity to always access the camera or your location, you can only allow it to do a single action once.
The effects of large storage space
One big behind-the-scenes change that Android 11 is making is the implementation of Scoped Storage. What is it? It’s a little complicated, but let’s basically examine it.
The goal of Scoped Storage is to improve the security of Android as a whole, while also reducing the “junk” that an app creates or leaves behind when it is removed. The security section is the most important thing that changes it, and the short version of what it does is that programs have their own “space”. The files it creates cannot be accessed by other programs and vice versa. However, there are exceptions, such as file managers and programs that have access to certain types of files, such as media files.
Directions, directions and more directions
The biggest side effect you will see with Scoped Storage in Android 11 is many more directions. When apps try to perform certain actions, such as deleting files, Android will ask the user to explicitly give the app permission for that action.
It’s likely to be seen in Google Photos if you do not use a Pixel. For example, if you try to delete a photo or video on a Samsung Galaxy device from the app, an “Allow” or “Deny” prompt will appear after you have already told the app to delete the photo. It also causes a somewhat frustrating ‘out-of-sync’ error on the app on other Android 11 devices. It’s a little annoying, but it’s nothing to be too frustrated with.
Some programs will behave differently
The unfortunate side effect of Scoped Storage is that issues in some programs behave a little differently. For the most part programs should work well, but some that go beyond the basics may experience issues. For example, one user noticed earlier how to read video files in MX Player subtitles. Numerous users also found problems with Tasker and similar automation programs. Another example that more people are likely to encounter is Twitter. The app usually has a gallery view to upload photos, but Android 11 may break the image selector. Fortunately, it seems to have been fixed by reinstalling the app, at least according to our experience.
In the end, Scoped Storage is the best, but it has some growing pains.
Samsung One UI 3
If you are updating a Samsung device to Android 11, you can expect the update to come with the company’s One UI 3.0 or 3.1 skin. With that, you will find a handful of notable changes. Perhaps the most obvious is the new design. Samsung has opted for much more transparent effects in the interface. Samsung says it brings ‘more simplicity and elegance’.
However, there is more than just a fresh coat of paint. Android 11 and One UI 3 also offer new features to Samsung devices. These include new lock screen widgets, the ability to turn your background into video calling applications, customization options for calling screens, better behind-the-scenes processing for the camera and much more. “Samsung Free” is now available on the home screen, with news reports, free TV and more, but you can also exchange it with Google Discover.
If you have more than one Samsung device, there are even more features to enjoy. Samsung tablets can now serve as a second screen for Samsung and other Windows 10 machines. Galaxy Buds Pro can intelligently switch between phones or tablets with a UI 3.1. Samsung tablets can even quickly swap their physical keyboard to control their phone with just one push of a button. There’s a ton to unpack, but the good news is that there is nothing really negative or missing.
When will my phone be updated?
As usual, one of the biggest questions around Android 11 is not what it does, but rather if and when you will get it on your device. This is what we know now.
Google Pixels got Android 11 days one
Android 11 was launched in September and within a single day, Google announced the update of its Pixel series. While it omitted the original Pixel, each subsequent release received the update within a day or two.
Samsung makes good progress
Samsung is currently extensively expanding Android 11. The fun started in December with the Galaxy S20 series and has since expanded to several generations, price points and more. It is honestly commendable how quickly Samsung is implementing the update and how widely it is happening.
OnePlus is working on it
OnePlus operates a nearby version of Android, but OxygenOS takes a minute to get major updates. The OnePlus 8T was launched with Android 11, and the OnePlus 8 series picked up the Android 11 update fairly early. The update is in beta for OnePlus 7 devices as well as Nord.
Motorola, LG and plans from other Android manufacturers
Outside of these three, major updates are usually a little less obvious. Below you will find roadmap announcements and more for other Android smartphone partners.
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