11 things about Android 11 you need to know!

Google has announced Android 11 for select Pixel phones. It will also be available on models from Xiaomi, Oppo, OnePlus, and Realme. The manufacturers are releasing final beta ROMs based on Android 11 for their individual UIs.

Google also disclosed some of the OEMs that are going to roll out the update the earliest. Here are 11 things you need to know:

1. One place for all conversations

In Android 11, conversations across messaging apps will be moved to a dedicated space in the notifications section, making it easy to manage your conversations in one spot. You can also prioritize conversations from the key people in your life so you never miss an important message.

2. Multitasking ease

Bubbles make multitasking on your device a breeze. You can now respond to important conversations without having to switch back and forth between what you’re doing and your messaging app.

3. Built-in screen recording

Now you can capture and share what’s happening on your phone. Record with sound from your mic, device, or both—no extra app required.

4. People and Controls

You can now access all your smart devices in one place, simply by long-pressing the power button. Control your connected devices like your thermostat or smart lock with a tap, so there’s no need to open multiple apps.

5. Better Media Controls

Media controls have been redesigned and are more helpful than ever. You can now quickly switch the device your media is playing on, so you can take your music with you from your headphones to your speaker without missing a beat.

6. Android Auto

Android Auto now works wirelessly for all phones running Android 11 as long as you have a compatible vehicle. So you can bring the best of your phone on every drive while skipping the cable—get directions with a tap, talk to send a text, play your favorite media and get help from Google Assistant.

7. More control over your privacy and data

One-time permissions will allow you to grant single-use access to your most sensitive permissions: microphone, camera, and location. The next time the app needs access to the sensors, it must ask you for your permission again.

8. “Auto-Reset” permissions

If you haven’t used an app that you installed on your device in a while, you may not want it to keep accessing your data. Android will now “auto-reset” permissions for your unused apps and notify you accordingly. You can always decide to re-grant the app permissions the next time you use the app.

9. Separate App Updates

With additional Google Play system update-modules, even more security and privacy fixes can be sent to your phone from Google Play, in the same way, your apps update. So you’ll get these fixes as soon as they’re available, without having to wait for a full OS update.

10. Multiple profiles

For Android Enterprise users, Android 11 brings the privacy protections you get on a personally-owned device to your company-owned device. The work profile gives your IT department tools to manage a device without monitoring your personal profile data or activity on your phone.

11. Even more on Pixel

If you're using a Pixel 2 or above you'll get additional features to organize and manage your phone, like app suggestions on the home screen based on your daily routines, and new overview actions that allow you to take a screenshot of an app and select text and images, and more.