Google launches Android 11 Beta 3, lets COVID-19 apps work with location off

Google today launched Android 11 Beta 3, the seventh and final preview of its next mobile OS version. Beta 3 puts Android 11 into release candidate status, which means Google is done putting the finishing touches on the new platform. This is the last chance developers have to make sure their apps and games are ready before Google starts rolling out Android 11 to businesses and consumers.

Android 11 has had a rocky beta schedule. Google launched Android 11 DP1 in February (the earliest it has ever released an Android developer preview), Android 11 DP2 in March, and Android 11 DP3 in April. Android 11 Beta 1 was supposed to arrive in May, but we got Android 11 DP4 as a stopgap measure. Beta 1 arrived in June followed by Beta 2 in July. Beta 1 would have normally been shown off at Google’s I/O developer conference, where the first Android beta typically debuts, but the event was canceled due to the coronavirus. #Android11: the Beta Launch Show was supposed to happen in lieu, but Google postponed and then ultimately canceled that as well due to protests over systemic racism and police brutality.