Last night this author bit the bullet and installed Android 13 Beta 4.1 on mine Pixel 6 Pro. To be honest, when the latest version was listed as a release candidate (like Beta 4.0), the idea of installing a beta version of my daily driver operating system started spinning through my brain without worrying about any downsides to have to. It’s not like I’ve never done this before, as I took part in the Android 11 Beta a few years ago with my Pixel 2 XL and that phone was my daily driver at the time.
For several weeks we have been informing you in various articles that Android 13 beta testers with the Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro were much happier with the under-display fingerprint scanner after installing the beta. As you may already know Google opted for an optical version of the under-display fingerprint sensor, rather than opting for the more expensive ultrasonic biometric reader like the one in the Galaxy S22 series.
The Pixel 6 series’ under-display fingerprint sensor was laggy and sometimes didn’t work at all
The Pixel 6 series fingerprint sensor was sluggish and slow, and there were frustrating times when it didn’t work at all. The latter usually happened precisely when you need to unlock the device immediately.
The Pixel 6 Pro had Android 13 Beta 4.1 installed
But there is good news. From my personal experience, installing the latest Android 13 beta has made the Pixel 6 Pro fingerprint scanner faster, more accurate, and hassle-free. This is probably the experience Google was aiming for from the start. On Reddit, other Pixel 6 series users raved about improved battery life (which is the opposite of what usually happens when you install a beta version of your phone’s operating system).
If you’re worried about installing Android 13 Beta 4.1 on your daily driver, we haven’t seen anything out of the ordinary so far. The only thing you have to do is leave the beta program when the final stable version of Android 13 is released by Google. If you do not end the beta program in time, you must first erase your device.
To install Android 13 Beta 4.1 on Pixel 4 series to Pixel 6 series go to or click on www.google.com/android/beta Shortcut. Tap the rectangular box that says “View Eligible Devices” and you’ll be taken to a photo of your pixel with a box that says “Sign In” below it. Tap on this field and the process will begin. Check settings > system > system update and install the beta update.
The fingerprint sensor of the new Pixel 6a is also greatly improved with the update to Android 13 Beta 4.1
Let’s not forget the Pixel 6a. The recently released mid-range Pixel has some fingerprint issues of its own, and some users complain that anyone can unlock their device with the under-display biometric reader, even if their fingerprints aren’t enrolled on the phone. And other complaints say that like the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro’s sensor, the Pixel 6a’s is slow.
But again, Android 13 Beta 4.1 comes to the rescue. one Reddit poster with handle skellup1337 writes, “I finally got fed up with the slowness of the fingerprint sensor on the 6a. Installed the Android 13 Beta. It’s 100x better on this beta.”
Those with the Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro (and even the Pixel 6a) should look at the fingerprint sensor first after the beta is installed. The phones feel a bit smoother overall. If you’ve thought about giving up your Pixel 6 model, wait until you’ve installed the beta first before making your final decision.
After installing the beta, let us know what you think by leaving your experiences in the comments box below.
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