The first Android 12 public beta just hit, and it's available on more phones than previous versions of Google's mobile OS. While Android betas typically come to Pixels first, Google worked with partners this time to bring the beta to phones from Asus, OnePlus, TCL, and others.
In Android 12, the lock screen has a much larger clock that changes size based on whether you have notifications available. Animations are also different; if you press the power button to leave the lock screen, the screen "wakes up" from the power button outwards. The notification shade is completely different, with much larger, oval notifications and quick settings boxes.
When you have a notification, the clock shrinks.Android 12 will eventually have a "Material You" interface that will alter buttons, widgets, and the overall design of the system to match your wallpaper's color scheme. I say "eventually" because Material You doesn't seem be be part of this first beta.
The Android 12 beta did not change my home screen based on my wallpaper.You can mess with fonts, colors, and styles, you just have to do so manually.Google also promises a new privacy dashboard, which doesn't seem to be in the first beta, and it will almost certainly come up with more features between now and the official launch this fall. With a beta OS, life is an adventure.
TweetIs The Android 12 Beta Available for My Phone?
The Android 12 beta is now available for the following phones, which are either available in the US, or likely to become available this summer:
It's also available for phones made by Oppo, Realme, Sharp, Tecno, Vivo, Xiaomi, and ZTE, which aren't sold in the US.
The Android 12 beta isnotavailable for Samsung Galaxy phones, LG phones, or Motorola phones. If you're carrying a Samsung Galaxy S20, the Samsung Galaxy S21, or the Samsung Galaxy Note 20, you're out of luck.
The final version of Android 12 will come out this fall, along with the Google Pixel 6. At that point, Pixel phones will probably get immediate access to the new software. OnePlus phones also tend to follow pretty quickly. Samsung phones will likely get the software in early 2022.
The new settings windowshade is a radical change.Should I Install the Beta?
Probably not. This is a beta operating system, which means it's going to be buggy.
Before you install any beta operating system, back everything up! Save important files to the cloud, or use a third-party app like the venerable ClockworkMod Helium to back up your apps and settings. Each of the partners provides a way to return to Android 11 if you don't like the beta, but it will wipe your phone to do so.
Be aware that the beta software is ... beta software. It will perform differently on every phone model, and it will not perform perfectly. TCL, for instance, gives these 10 warnings:
OnePlus claims six issues:
I installed the beta on my Pixel 4 without a problem, but the situation may be dodgier on non-Google phones:
TweetHow Do I Install the Beta?
If this scares you, don't install this beta.If you have a Google Pixel running Android 11, the easiest way to get the beta is to sign up for Google's over-the-air beta delivery service, which will send the update to your Pixel within the next few days.
If you're impatient, though, you can download the same image you would get over the air and install it using the Android developer's kit. The following pages show how to install the beta on each of the other devices which will be sold in the US:
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