New updates are being added at the bottom of this story…….
Original story (published on February 19, 2021) follows:
Google has announced the latest version of Android — Android 12.
As expected, this first edition is meant for Android app developers to get acquainted with under-the-hood changes in order to adjust their apps accordingly.
Being only the first developer preview of Android 12, Google hasn’t mentioned any consumer-focused changes, so the software in its current state might not be useful to end users.
Still, there are a number of things that have been confirmed by the search giant, among them the Google Pixel devices that are eligible to install Android 12 developer preview 1.
Unless you are new to the Android world, its not news that Google provides at least three major Android OS updates to its devices. Granted, the original Pixel and Pixel 2 are not eligible for Android 12.
As for the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, Android 12 marks the third and final major OS update following their release with Android Pie pre-installed. This applies to the Pixel 3a and 3a XL too.
Below is the list of Pixel phones eligible for the update to Android 12, including the developer preview version.
Google Pixel Android 12 release date
App developers can download and install the update to the new Android 12 developer preview version right away. If interested, find all the details, including download links and installation guide, here.
Google notes that the developer previews will hang around until April. Thereafter, the public beta version will be made available for willing Google Pixel users to try.
Of course, at this point we expect even more Android vendors to join the party, but we won’t know them until then. If all goes according to plan, the stable Android 12 update should arrive in August/September.
We will be keeping a close eye on the developments around the rollout of Android 12 update to eligible Google Pixel phones and update this article as and when we have news.
As for details of what the new OS brings, check out our Android 12 update tracker here.
The first incremental update to Google’s Android 12 developer preview 1 is out as version 1.1. With it comes March 2021 security patches and bug fixes tucked in build SPP1.210122.022.
Update 1 (March 04)
Below are the changes included in Android 12 developer preview 1.1:
Google has a new Android 12 developer preview 2 rolling out to supported Pixel phones, tagging along more new features and changes for app developers, as listed below:
Update 2 (March 17)
Google also says this preview 2 update fixes several bugs introduced in previous versions, as listed below:
Google has a new update for Pixel users participating in Android 12 developer preview arriving as version 2.1. Along with it comes fixes for WebView crashes. Details here.
Update 3 (March 30)
Google has a new Android 12 developer preview build that arrives as version 2.2 and carries build number SPP2.210219.018, which tags along April security patch and several bug fixes.
Update 4 (April 08)
Below is the changelog as shared by Google:
A detailed demonstration of Android 12 along with a Pixel 5a announcement may be done with the upcoming Google I/O 2021. For details, head here.
Update 5 (April 08)
02:30 pm (IST): After three developer preview releases, Google has announced the first public beta update based on Android 12 for eligible Pixel devices at the I/O 2021.
Update 6 (May 19)
Devices ranging from the Pixel 3 all the way to the Pixel 5 are eligible for this update. If interested, you can register to get OTA updates based on Android 12 beta.
For those who like taking things into their own hands by sideloading the latest update, the manual downloads for OTA and factory images are also available.
For a deeper dive into what the new OS brings, check out our dedicated Android 12 update tracker here.
02:47 pm (IST): Google Pixel users who’re trying to find out how to enable the new Material You design in the latest Android 12 beta 1 update can head here for all the details.
06:01 pm (IST): You can head here to check out the status of all known bugs and issues that come with the Android 12 update for the Google Pixel phones.
02:50 pm (IST): Pixel 6 may use Android 12’s audio-coupled haptics feature for ringtones. This will help create custom vibration effects for ringtones. For details, head here.
Update 7 (May 21)
03:50 pm (IST): Google didn’t lay out a proper way to install Android 12 on Pixel devices, resulting in bricked devices. Here’s a safer way to install the beta update via DSU.
Update 8 (May 26)
Not many would like to make the shift to unstable Android 12 at the moment but with the new update of Google Feed, you can enjoy what it’s like to be on Android 12, as it now supports Android 12 wallpaper-based theming.
07:40 pm (IST): As it stands, the new app UI translation feature isn’t meant to be a standard Android 12 feature and is tied specifically to Pixel phones, as its code says so.
Update 9 (May 31)
14:02 pm (IST): Android 12 Beta 2 update seems to have gotten rid of the weather widget from the lockscreen, along with redesigning the power menu which means that the Android 11 Power Menu has now been relocated. More on that here.
Update 10 (June 10)
04:43 pm (IST): The Android 12 Beta 2 update adds a new charging animation that works beyond the lockscreen along with a new animation for unlocking the device.
Update 11 (June 11)
10:22 am (IST): Google is rolling out an Android 12 update to its Pixel devices on the Beta program in form of the Android 12 Beta 2.1 update. This minor update to Android 12 Beta 2 includes various stability improvements as well as the following fixes:
Update 12 (June 24)
10:57 am (IST): Users of Pixel devices who’ve installed Android 12 Beta 3 on their units note that the update has brought back the date in the notification shade. However, it turns out that the update has also removed the shortcut to open the clock/alarm by tapping the said time.
Update 13 (July 16)
06:25 pm (IST): Google has decided to remove the UI customization options that were part of the previous version of Android. These include the ability to customize fonts and icons on Pixel devices.
Update 14 (July 24)
No longer can you change the color scheme of the system either. The company says it is replacing these features with Material You, a modern and more intelligent version of the theme engine.
Google said it has no plans to bring back the customization features. However, if enough users complain about the same, they might bring it back in a future update.
10:50 am (IST): Google is rolling out a minor update to Android 12 Beta 3 upgrading the version to Beta 3.1. The latest update brings increase system stability and fixes the boot loop bug that has been affecting some users.
Update 15 (July 27)
Here are some issues Android 12 Beta 3.1 has fixed:
Google says that known issues that affect Beta 3 will still apply to Beta 3.1. Since it is an OTA update, it might take a while before it is available on your device.
06:32 pm (IST): The Android 12 Beta 3.1 has subtly tweaked the auto-rotate animation, with the transition now becoming ever so smoother, when compared with the one on the previous beta.
Update 16 (July 28)
02:23 pm (IST): Android 12 is preparing to kill off native support for internet-based SIP calling. This is evident from the stock dialer app which no longer offers SIP settings. For details, head here.
Update 17 (July 29)
11:23 am (IST): Google Contacts app has received an update that adds support for Android 12’s Material You theeming engine. More on that here.
Update 18 (July 30)
Update 19 (August 05)
01:25 pm (IST): New reports now indicate that Google Photos now supports the Google Photos ‘Your memories’ home screen widget as it is now showing up for some Android 12 users with Pixel devices. More on that in our coverage here.
Update 20 (August 06)
03:25 pm (IST): Google is apparently prepping to bring a few more Material You elements to the Gboard keyboard app on Android 12 according to 9to5Google’s APK Insight report.
Update 21 (August 12)
10:23 am (IST): Google is reportedly pushing out Android 12 Beta 4 to users of eligible Pixel devices in the Beta program, an update that brings with it better platform stability ahead of the official update later in the year.
Update 22 (August 13)
10:14 am (IST): As more users continue to install the latest Android 12 Beta 4 update on their Pixel devices, more and more features are getting discovered.
Now, it is apparent that this build brings with it a few subtle lock screen tweaks, a few icon changes and offers us a first look at the Pixel Launcher’s much faster search bar. (1,2,3)
Update 23 (September 09)
11:43 am (IST): Google has just announced Android 12 Beta 5 for the Pixel devices, a Beta that is said to be the last one before the official stable release of Android 12. More on that and the release notes here.
Update 24 (September 13)
11:52 am (IST): Following the final Beta for Android 12, new reports now indicate that the AOSP release of Android 12 is set for October 4. This could correspond with the release of stable Android 12 for Pixel devices.
Update 25 (September 16)
IST 1:33 pm: Word has it that Google Keep is set to get the Material You redesign ahead of the official unveiling of stable Android 12.
IST 02:13 pm: Google Pixel owners on Android 12 Beta 5 can now take the feedback survey as it is now open. More on that here.
Update 26 (October 02)
IST 10:23 am: While it’s abundantly clear that Android 12 will be dropping anytime now for the Pixel lineup, T-Mobile has revealed that the update is currently under development for the Pixel 4, 4 XL, 3, 3XL, 3a, 3a XL, and 4a 5G.
Update 27 (October 05)
IST 10:20 am: Google has just made public the Android 12 AOSP build and in the statement, confirms that the Stable Android 12 update should hit Pixel phones in the next few weeks.
Update 28 (October 20)
IST 12:32 pm: Android 12 is rolling out worldwide to Pixel devices. Along with that, Android 12 Beta is said to be coming back in December to test feature drops early. More on that here.
Update 29 (December 08)
IST 12:54 pm: Following the December 2021 Feature Drop, Pixel users now report that the boot animation now picks up on the Android 12 wallpaper-based colors. Below is a demo video by 9to5Google.
Update 30 (December 09)
IST 12:00 pm: Android 12L Beta 1 is reportedly going live for users of all Pixel from Pixel 3a and newer, all the way to the Pixel 5a.
However, users of the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro might have to wait longer for their builds.
Update 31 (December 10)
IST 11:01 am: Split Screen has been part of Android for a long time now but on Android 12L Beta 1, this is reportedly being replaced with App Pairs.
Update 32 (December 15)
IST 09:57 am: Google is now asking Android 12L beta users to share their feedback regarding the experience with the first beta update (S2B1.211112.006) on Pixel devices, as highlighted by a report.
Users are queried about their satisfaction with Stability, Performance, Battery, Device Temperature, Camera, Bluetooth, Call Quality, Messaging, WiFi Connectivity, Data Connectivity, App Experience, and Authentication (face/fingerprint).
Further, users can share feedback on their “top issues” with Android 12L. This should help determine the tweaks and adjustments that will be made in future beta builds and the stable release.
Update 33 (December 21)
IST 04:59 pm: Google may still add face unlock feature to Pixel 6 Pro. Folks over at 9to5Google found some evidence in Android 12L beta that indicates that Google may bring face unlock feature on Pixel 6 Pro in a future update.
Update 34 (March 25)
03:22 pm (IST): Google will soon allow Pixel users to leave the Android Beta Program at the end of every cycle without losing their data. More on that here.
Update 35 (April 01)
06:13 pm (IST): Google is now asking Pixel users to share feedback regarding the latest Android 12 QPR3 beta update by filling out a survey.
NOTE: This table is being updated regularly.
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