Beta 4 came out on 11 August 2021 and reached platform stability: the SDK and NDK APIs, app-facing system behaviours and non-SDK interface restrictions were final. Google said developers could release compatibility updates “knowing that the platform won’t change”.
| Release date | 11 August 2021; Beta 4.1 on 25 August 2021 |
| Build | SPB4.210715.011; 4.1 SPB4.210715.014 |
| Security patch | August 2021 |
| Devices | Pixel 3 to Pixel 5; ASUS, OnePlus, Oppo, Realme, Sharp and ZTE phones; Android TV |
| How to get it | Over the air through Android Beta, or by flashing |
| Platform stability | Yes |
The post added no features. It listed what to test: for all apps, the
privacy dashboard, indicators and toggles, the clipboard toast, stretch
overscroll, splash screens and the BouncyCastle removal; for apps targeting
31, foreground service starts, approximate location, SCHEDULE_EXACT_ALARM,
WebView SameSite cookies, android:exported, custom notifications and
notification trampolines. Library, SDK and game engine developers were asked
to ship first, because their users depend on them.
Beta 4.1 fixed a boot loop after restart, missing heads-up notifications, volume controls while casting, and Face Unlock on some devices.