Android 12 Beta: Features & Installation Guide

Published on: May 27, 2021
Updated on: July 27, 2023

    • Introduction:

    The one major difference between Android and iOS mobile devices has been ‘Personalization’. Android offers you the luxury of choosing your device and designs and create an experience that is suitable for you. Due to the freedom Android invites to our smartphones it has become a humungous family of 3 billion active devices around the globe. Android 12 beta 1 adds on to everything you love about Android and more. Due to such a substantial user base, the smallest of changes in the OS can affect millions of users. We being an Android app development company are truly excited to learn the changes this new development will bring about in our lives. Here’s a blog that brings you the upgrades that Android 12 will introduce us to.

    Android 12 Beta 1: Overview

    Nomenclature:-

    Google got over the desert-themed names with Android 10. Though what you might not know is that Google uses its deserted-theme base nomenclature with its internal codebase.

    Consequently, Android 10 was internally known by the name, Quince Tart, Android 11 as Red Velvet Cake, while Android 12 will internally be known as Snow Cone.

    Timeline:-

    There’s no fixed date on which Google will release Android 12. But the tentative timeline that it will follow has started from February 2021. The process will start from developer previews, beta releases and move on to stable releases.

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    Let’s catch a glimpse of the various stages of development.

    Android 12 Developer Preview:

    The developer preview for Android 12 was released on February 18, 2021. Google started by addressing several issues and bug fixes that users might’ve been facing with the first developer preview build.

    The Android 12 developer preview 2 was released on March 17, 2021, while the Android 12 developer preview 3 went live on April 21, 2021. The developer preview permits the programmers to start with the platform migration and start the adaptation process for their apps. Goggle will highlight the major changes in the previews to give a hint to the Android ecosystem of what they should expect.

    Developer previews are not designed for average users as they are unstable. Google can very well remove the features that it doesn’t seem fit for the platform. Hence, a feature that you see in the first review can very well be missing in the ones that follow. The Google Pixel devices also don’t receive Developer Previews.

    Android 12 Beta:

    Android 12 Beta was one of the most awaited announcements of the Google I/O 2021 events. The beta release would serve as an enhanced version of the developer phase and be a trailer for the final product. There can be other unprecedented releases in the Beta phase, to fix critical bugs.

    The beta update will be made available to Google Pixel devices and many other devices in the form of a GSI. OEMs have agreed to the same and one can flash Android 12 Beta 1 on the below-mentioned devices.

    Devices that will support Android 12 Beta 1:

    • iQOO 7 Legend
    • One Plus 9/ 9 Pro
    • OPPO Find X3 Pro
    • Realme GT
    • Xiaomi Mi 11/ Mi 11 Ultra/ Mi Ultra Pro
    • Asus ZenFone 8
    • Xiaomi Mi 11x Pro/ Mi 11i/ Redmi K40 Pro+
    • TCL 20 Pro 5G

    The beta build would be based on Android Open Source Project (AOSP). The OEMs can eventually migrate their skins to the Android 12 beta version. Later they can begin their own “Preview” programs.

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    Android 12 Beta 1 with Platform Stability:

    As per Google’s predictions, Android 12 will gain platform stability after its 3 beta releases. This feat will be achieved by August this year. The result of platform stability would be the finalization of Android 12 SDK, APIs, NDK, platform behaviors, app-facing surfaces, and restrictions on non-SDK interfaces.
    The following beta versions wouldn’t observe any changes in how APIs function or how Android 12 behaves. From this point on developers need not worry about any unexpected changes that can affect their app behavior and start upgrading their apps to target Android 12 (API level 31).
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    Android 12 Release Candidate:

    Android 12 release candidate is developed after a platform stability build phase. This development will be close to the stable build but not entirely. This will be the last chance to correct critical problems before the OS is offered to the consumers. There is no fixed date for the release of this build but one can expect the same by September.
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    Android 12 Stable:

    The Android 12 Stable release would be done after the completion of the Release Candidate. You can expect this release anytime after September 2021. Though Google hasn’t confirmed the Android 12 release date for its regular customers. The first ones to received Android 12 stable releases would be Google’s Pixel devices.
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    Features of Android 12:

    From colors and shapes to motion and light, Google’s latest Android version has recalibrated everything. This will account for a more dynamic, personal, and expressive user experience. Here are some of the rethought features.

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    #1 Personalization:

    The redesigned widgets and custom color palette will assist you to personalize your phone. On choosing wallpaper, the system will automatically suggest the dominant colors, the complementary ones, and the ones that are a perfect fit. The best part about it is that these colors are applied on the complete OS, i.e. on the lock screen, notification shade, new widgets, volume controls, and many more areas. This is made possible by the feature of color extraction.
    This feature is a result of the collaboration between hardware, software, and material design teams. ‘Material You’ a single design language under which the hardware and software systems are being unified.
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    #2 Animations & Fluid Motions:

    The device turns alive with every scroll, swipe, and tap. You can experience animations and smooth motions with each touch with the Android 12. For instance, your clock will appear larger when you dismiss all notifications on the lock screen. This would denote that you’re all caught up.
    You will have a better and seamless experience due to the recrafted and simplified interactions with underlying systems. Your Android devices would be much faster, power-efficient, and responsive to offer you more usage time. Under-the-hood improvements are responsible for making these prominent changes. This feat was achieved by decreasing the use of big cores of the system server by 15% and CPU time needed for core system service by 22%.
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    #3 Redesigning System Spaces:

    To help you get things done, some of the spaces on your phone have been purposefully reimagined. These include the power button, quick settings, and notification shade.
    The quick settings can be accessed with a swipe or a tap allowing you to control the entire operating system. The re-built includes the Home controls and Google pay option. Yet it holds space for customization so you can have everything you need in one place. The notifications shade offers a crisp, at-a-glance view of your app’s notifications or anything that you’re currently listening to or watching. It has been designed to be more playful and intuitive.
    To invite more ease into your lives you can now press the power button one can long-press the power button. It would allow you to use the voice assistant to make phone calls, ask questions, read your favorite articles aloud, and open apps.
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    #4 Security & Privatization:

    You will have more transparency on the apps that are accessing your data. You can exercise more control by making sound choices about your private data that you want your apps to access. Also, you get a single view of your permission settings. Using the privacy settings you can know what data is being accessed by which apps and how often. It also allows you to revoke permissions from your dashboard.
    Many apps may access your microphone or camera. You can view the same with an indicator that would be present on the top right corner of your status bar. There are two new toggles in Quick Settings that allow you to remove app access to these sensors for the entire system.
    It also offers a user definite control over the information they want to share with the apps. Like approximate location, this feature allows apps to learn your approximate location and not the precise one. For example, weather apps can do with not learning your precise location to offer you weather forecasts.
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    #5 Additional Privacy:

    Android 12 will also introduce you to creating privacy protection directly into the OS. This upgrade will have the Android Private Computer Core. It helps create technologies that are private by design. This as a result will keep your information private, safe, and local to your phone.
    Using private computer core features like Now Playing, Live Caption, and Smart Reply can be introduced. The language processing is isolated from the network and happens on-device to preserve your privacy. The protections in the Private Compute Core are fully inspectable, open-source, and verifiable by the security community.
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    #6 Google Maps:

    Other than the changes in the under-the-hood side of Android there will also be prominent updates to its apps. One of these updates is for Google Maps. At times while driving, drivers have to brake heavily which results in accidents and inefficiency. To overcome this problem Google is introducing a new routing system that suggests roads that don’t require drivers to brake heavily and suddenly.
    Google provides live business information related to locations and shops. Now the same can be viewed for different areas. The update will portray the busy parts of your neighborhood or town.
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    #7 Google Photos:

    The current collection of photos are based on date, time, and location. For example, memories of your favorite holiday. This current classification will receive an AI update. It will recognize the objects present in your photos based on color and shape. For instance, if it observes a backpack it will develop a collection and automatically highlight interesting moments.
    It will also give you an option to stop highlighting photos of particular times, people, or related factors. This will help filter painful memories from resurfacing. There will also be a ‘Locked Folder’ that would help you save photos privately. Photos saved in this folder won’t be visible in your main feed or any other apps.
    The AI will also be helpful in offering you animated moments from two relatively similar photos. For example, two different shots where a user is trying to look at the camera. The AI will extrapolate data from two similar photos, fill the gaps to create new images in between, and fill out an animated photo.
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    How to Download Android 12 Beta?

    The easiest way to update your phone with the Android 12 Beta version is by enrolling in the Android Beta Program.

    You can search for the “Android Beta Program” on Google. The next step would be to visit the Android Beta portal and opt-in to Beta. You can then look for eligible devices. Selecting your eligible device would prompt Google to send your tablet or phone an over-the-air update.

    Your phone will then receive the latest beta and then an OTA for the final version, or it will receive the final version of Android Q.

    • Go to the Android Beta portal on your phone.
    • Sign in with your Google account.
    • Search for your eligible device.
    • Once you fix the device you want to enroll in the Beta program tap Opt-in.
    • Follow the suggestions on your phone to initiate the over-the-air download.

    Install Android 12 using the Android Flash Tool:

    This is another way of using the Android Flash Tool. This is a web-based version of the ADB tool that helps install Android 12 beta on your phone.

    • Visit the Android Flash Tool site.
    • Give the necessary permissions to the site to access ADB in your browser.
    • Go to your phone and enable Developer Mode.
    • Turn on USB debugging in your developer settings.
    • Enable OEM Unlocking on your phone.
    • Using a USB port plug in your phone on your computer.
    • Select your device and follow the instructions to install Android 12 Beta.

    How can I Leave the Beta Program?

    It’s very easy to opt out of the beta program. You have to visit the same Android Beta Portal that you did when you enrolled. Find your eligible device and opt-out.

    As per Google’s guidelines, you can at anytime switch to the public version of Android. But remember that if you opt-out when your device is functioning on the beta version, it will wipe out all your user data. If you choose to stay till the end of the program, then you will receive an OTA update of the Android 12 stable version and you won’t lose any of your data.

    Afterword:

    This was all on the Android 12 Beta release. As Google is yet to announce the final release date of Android 12 you can make the best of the Beta version if you’re too excited by the idea of using the latest Android version.

    We being a mobile app development company keenly await the upgrades Android 12 will introduce to our smartphones. Follow our blog for regular updates on web and mobile app development technologies, Industry 4.0 techs, and other news related to the IT world. Thank you for reading.

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    Yogesh Kumar works at a top WordPress development company, Technource as a Digital Marketing Manager. He is a passionate individual who has in-depth knowledge of SEO and uses natural search expertise to attain and sustain maximum marketing share for organic search across the industry. With his passion for writing, he delivers many informative articles and blogs on software development, that help many people to improve their knowledge of emerging technologies, and website & app development. He is featured on Hackernoon, Dzone, Newsbreak, Enlear Academy, Articlesfactory, and much more websites. He likes to cook in his free time and discover new recipes.

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