The latest update of the OS, the fourteenth iteration, brings several notable features and interesting additions to the forefront. As is customary with major OS upgrades, there are also some UI/UX tweaks. However, not every change is universally embraced by end users, leading to a divided opinion among the masses, as observed in this instance.
Previously, when you long-pressed on an app icon on the screen, it would display the latest notification directly, with the remaining notifications numbered in the notification dots. This provided a convenient way to access notifications without navigating through the multitude of alerts in the notification section. Additionally, you could dismiss non-essential alerts from the long-press menu. However, this functionality is now a thing of the past.
Starting with Android 14, Google has removed the ability to view notifications by long-pressing on an app’s icon on the home screen. Instead, the menu now presents options such as App Info, Pause App, and Widgets, along with specific sections related to certain apps (as seen for YouTube and Instagram in the provided screenshots). While the notification dot still exists, its function has changed from what it used to be.
The crucial question arises: is this a bug or an intentional change? Regrettably, it is an intentional change implemented by Google during the beta stage of Android 14. Despite concerns raised by users on the Issue Tracker page, Google has categorically marked it as “Won’t Fix, Intended Behavior.” Thus, this marks the end of this particular feature’s journey.
In terms of personal usage, the author acknowledges not utilizing this approach to access notifications extensively, primarily using the long-press menu to access the App Info page. However, it’s acknowledged that individual preferences may vary, and while this change may not impact some users significantly, it might be a crucial functionality for others. The community is invited to share their stance on this matter in the comments section below.