The new Android 13 features you need to be using

Android 13 is an important update to the Android system in 2022 and has been officially released. It first logs on Google's Pixel phones, and then goes on to Samsung, OnePlus, Motorola, Nokia and other manufacturers.

Like iOS, the Android system is mature and perfect enough to not require a thorough innovation every year, so the annual update will not change much.

Still, there are some improvements and upgrades worth paying attention to in Android 13. Here are some new features you should experience after Android 13 is updated to your phone:

1. Automatic theme icon:

Android 12 has made significant progress in wallpaper and color themes. Android 13 adds the automatic theme icon feature on this basis, which means that the app icons on the home screen will automatically change the color to match the wallpaper.

To use this feature, go to Settings, click Wallpapers and Styles, and make sure the theme icon switch is on.

[Related: 4 ways to judge which one is better for iOS or Android]

But it should be noted that the automatic theme icon is currently only available for Pixel devices, and application developers need to provide compatible icons for the theme to take effect. For example, most Google apps are updated, but your other common apps may take some time to keep up.

2. New notification permissions:

This is a relatively small change, but it has the potential to make a huge difference. Android 12 introduced a system that forces applications to request permissions when they first need to access information such as the phone's camera and location.

In Android 13, this protocol has been extended to notifications. The app doesn't simply send you an alert — forcing you to accept the alert or dive into the settings page to turn it off — you'll see a notification permission request. When this request appears depends on the developer, but it is usually early on.

As before, you can change your application settings (including notifications and other permissions) by going to Settings. Click Apps and to view all applications, then select an application and select Permissions.

3. Custom vibration:

If you prefer vibration reminders over sound reminders, you'll be happy to hear that Android 13 adds more refined control over how vibration is done.

You can now select different vibration levels for calls, alarms and other notifications, and haptic feedback. You can also have the call vibrating the phone first and then gradually add sound.

Find all these new options in Android's Settings, click Sound and Vibration, and then click Vibration and Tactile Feedback. Each option has a slider so you can control vibrations very accurately.

4. Faster access to QR code scanner:

QR codes have become increasingly popular during the pandemic, and it is a way to access and present information without touching anything.

Android has long had the ability to read QR codes, but Android 13 makes QR code readers easier to access. Use two fingers to swipe down from the top of the screen to open Quick Settings, then click on the pen icon (bottom right corner) to change and you will see a Scan QR code option that you can drag to Quick Settings in the panel.

Best Tips: You can add another Android 13 tile to the Quick Settings panel in the same way, i.e. One-handed mode. It slides down certain elements of the user interface so that you can touch them more easily with your thumb.

5. Safetery picture access:

Android and iOS have been learning from each other. In this case, Google borrowed an idea from Apple that now allows users to restrict app access to phone photos. It is no longer all or nothing – now the app can only access images and videos of your choice, not your entire gallery.

You will see this change only if the app needs to access your photos and videos. You will notice a new selector that allows you to select one or more images or clips from the latest ones.

The redesigned interface also allows you to select specific albums from your phone's gallery and any connected cloud storage.

6. Redesigned media player:

On Android 13, you'll see a more obvious upgrade, which is the redesigned media player widget. When the media is playing, it will be displayed on the Quick Settings and Lock Screen interface.

You will notice two visual changes: the play button is larger and has been moved to the right; the progress bar now has a wave effect when a podcast, video, audiobook, or song is playing.

As before, the background of the media player widget is covered by any available image (such as album cover) provided by the relevant application. In the upper right corner of the widget, you can see where the media is played, whether it is a phone speaker or a connected device (such as a Chromecast).

7. Best audio output options:

Another subtle but important change to Android 13 improvement is the audio output selection screen. For example, this will be very convenient if you play audio from your phone on a Bluetooth speaker or other streaming device.

[Related: 9 Important Android Features You May Not Use]

When media is playing, go to Settings, select Sound and Vibration, and then click the Play... link under Media Volume. This link should contain the name of the app being played.

The redesigned pop-up dialog not only makes switching between outputs easy—from wireless headphones to connected car speakers—it also allows you to adjust the relative volume level.

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