Android 12
Android 12 Overview Updated March 18, 2021
Android 12 Stories May 20
Google has updated its chart showing the percentage of Android devices running various versions of the OS, but there are still no details about Android 12’s adoption rate.
Android 12 Stories May 19
Samsung has updated these devices to Android 12
Android 12 is still a very new version of the platform, but Samsung is launching the update for its Galaxy devices less than a month after Google’s own Pixel phones. More devices will be updated over the coming months, and Samsung has confirmed a preliminary list of devices that will be updated.
Android 12 Stories May 18
Google now accepting Android 13 Beta 2 and 12 QPR3 Beta 3 feedback
Google is now taking feedback for Android 13 Beta 2 a week after its launch at I/O 2022. At the same time, the Android 12 QPR3 Beta 3 survey is also available.
Google has received a prestigious iF Gold Design Award for the implementation of Material You and Dynamic Color within Android 12.
Android 12 Stories May 17
Pixel Launcher app search is broken on Android 12 for some
Ahead of going stable next month, Android 12 QPR3 Beta 3 has a curious Pixel Launcher bug that breaks the ability to search for apps installed on your device.
You might have slapped the Android 13 Developer Preview or recent Beta 2 update on your Google Pixel and are missing out on a few things or not having the best experience. Luckily, you can downgrade your Android 13 build back to a stable version of Android 12 if you encounter any major problems or just don’t like the current incarnation.
Android 12 Stories May 16
Android 12 is now available for the Asus ZenFone 7 and 7 Pro
The rollout of Android 12 has been swift on some devices, and relatively slow on others. But right on schedule, Asus just released its Android 12 update for the ZenFone 7 series.
The stable OxygenOS 12 update complete with Android 12 is now rolling out for the first-generation OnePlus Nord.
Android 12 Stories May 5
The March Feature Drop introduced a system battery widget on Pixel, but it’s not the easiest homescreen object for people to add. To address that, Android 12 QPR3 makes it easier to find the “Battery” widget.
Android 12 Stories May 4
In what should be the final preview before the public launch next month, Android 12 QPR3 Beta 3 is now rolling out to Pixel phones.
Android 12 Stories May 3
For the first time (in the modern era), there are two active Android Beta Programs, as well as the stable channel. Google explained today why there’s occasionally no Android 12 QPR3 or Android 13 Beta OTA immediately after signing-up your Pixel.
The security world has been abuzz about a new Linux exploit called “Dirty Pipe,” which also affects Android 12 devices like Galaxy S22 and Pixel 6. Here’s everything you need to know about “Dirty Pipe,” which devices it affects, and how best to avoid it.
Android 12 Stories May 2
Today marks the last guaranteed update for Google’s midrange phones from 2019 following its launch three years ago at I/O. However, similar to past generations, Google will be releasing one last update for the Pixel 3a and 3a XL.
The Android 12 May security patch is rolling out to the Pixel 3a, Pixel 4, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5, Pixel 5a, Pixel 6, and Pixel 6 Pro today. This should be the last update for 2019’s budget phones.
Like last month, the May security update is rolling out for the Pixel 6 series on the same day as all other supported Google devices.
Android 12 Stories April 22
LG V60 ThinQ is getting its Android 12 update now
LG is living up to its promise of ensuring its final batch of Android phones continue to get the updates they’re deserved, and now another one is rolling out. This week, the LG V60 ThinQ picked up its Android 12 update in the US.
Android 12 Stories April 21
Turn off weather notifications on the Google Pixel
Space in your notification tray is generally pretty valuable, so if one or two notifications are constantly around, it can feel clogged up and inefficient. That’s what Google’s weather notifications can feel like on your Pixel. So how do you disable them? Well, there are a couple of ways.
Android 12 Stories April 15
While LG is done with smartphones, the company is fulfilling its promise of still supporting existing models. Now, the LG Velvet is getting its Android 12 update.
Android 12 Stories April 13
Google is now asking for feedback on Android 12 QPR3 Beta 2 from Pixel owners that installed the latest preview last week.
Android 12 Stories April 8
The first-generation OnePlus Nord is now finally starting to see Android 12, but, at least for now, it’s in the form of OxygenOS Open Beta 1.
Android 12 Stories April 7
Following the launch of the April security patch to stable Pixel users, Android 12 QPR3 Beta 2 is now available.
Android 12 Stories April 4
Following last month’s two-week gap, the April’s security update is rolling out for the Pixel 6 on the same day as all other supported Google devices.
Following last month’s launch of 12L, Android 12’s April security patch is rolling out to the Pixel 3a, Pixel 4, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5, Pixel 5a, Pixel 6, and Pixel 6 Pro today. It comes as Android 12 QPR3 is in beta and Android 13 is set to follow this month.
Despite the company having been absent from the smartphone market for a full year now, LG isn’t done supporting its existing devices. This week, the company posted a new roadmap that confirms Android 12 updates for the LG V50 and more, but oddly not the LG Wing.
Android 12 Stories March 31
After releasing Android 12 QPR3 Beta 1 at the start of this month and following up with Beta 1.1 for the Pixel 6 line last week, Google is now asking for feedback.
After a very extended wait, OxygenOS 12 with Android 12 is now rolling out for the T-Mobile versions of the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro in the US.
Android 12 Stories March 30
Google introduced a new pattern earlier this month with a beta program for the upcoming June Feature Drop for Pixel devices, and it seems that the update had some useful changes behind the scenes. Pixel 6 now supports “Direct USB Access,” which opens the door to better DAC support.
Android 12 Stories March 27
After years of stagnation, Android 12 brought renewed attention to widgets on the OS. Google introduced a number of new tools for developers and revamped its first-party offerings. With all these changes, are you using widgets more?
With the Pixel 6 and Android 12, Google redesigned At a Glance to be left-aligned and made it just open the Weather app by default. Android 12L makes it so that tapping At a Glance’s top line opens Google Calendar again.
Android 12 Stories March 25
With Android 12, Google introduced a “performance class” to let app developers “understand what a device is capable of, and tailor [their] user experience accordingly.” The Pixel 6 and several other modern flagships were the “first to optimize” and meet the standard, which apps like Snapchat are using, but Samsung is absent.
Android 12 Stories March 24
Following the launch two weeks ago, Google is now rolling out Android 12 QPR3 Beta 1.1 for the Pixel 6 series. This is a preview for the upcoming June Feature Drop.
Android 12 is one of the platform’s most meaningful updates for the big screen in a while, but despite its early start, it hasn’t shown up on any devices. In a new blog post published this week, Google has confirmed that Android TV 12 will be available on devices this year.
Update: Google has updated the blog post to say that Android TV 12 won’t debut until “later” this year, retracting the earlier mention of “early.”
Android 12 Stories March 21
After a two-week delay, Pixel 6 and 6 Pro owners today are starting to see the Android 12L update with the March Feature Drop roll out.
After a brief Open Beta period, the stable OxygenOS update atop Android 12 is now rolling out for the OnePlus 8, OnePlus 8 Pro, 8T, and the OnePlus 9R.
Android 12 Stories March 17
Next Pixel 6 and 6 Pro patch could be available March 21
With the February security patch, many assumed that the Pixel 6 would be updated on the same day as all other Google phones going forward. Android 12L and the March Feature Drop obviously proved that was not the case, but the next Pixel 6 patch might be available on Monday.
Asus delivers Android 12 update to its gaming-centric ROG Phone 5
Gaming phones have become more powerful and more affordable in recent years, and Asus offers some of the best. Now, the Asus ROG Phone 5 is getting its Android 12 update with a lengthy changelog.
Android 12 Stories March 16
Android 12L Beta 3 now available for Lenovo P12 Pro
At the start of March, Android 12L rolled out to Pixel phones and AOSP, while updates for Samsung and Microsoft devices are planned for this year. Lenovo is also on that list and yesterday released Android 12L Beta 3 for the Lenovo P12 Pro.
Android 12 Stories March 15
At this point, Google’s biggest Android apps have been updated with Material You. Redesigns are widely rolled out, but widget availability varies depending on whether you have a Pixel or Samsung device running Android 12. The following is our running tally of which Google app Material You widgets are available where.
Android 12 Stories March 10
Repainter’s latest update adds quick settings toggle, separate color controls on Pixel and One UI
Material You offers easy customization for Android in ways we’ve never seen officially, but it’s only so flexible. Repainter was released early this year as a neat way to enhance Material You colors, and in its latest update, the app is adding a quick settings toggle as well as the ability to separate colors used for accents and the background.
Android 12 Stories March 9
Google surprisingly rolled out Android 12 QPR3 Beta 1 today, and it should be a straightforward upgrade for most users. However, those who want to opt out of the Beta Program will have to wipe their phones, and a bug is affecting Android 13 Developer Preview 1 devices.
Following the launch of Android 12L on Monday, Google today announced Android 12 QPR3 Beta 1 as part of a new, more frequent Beta Program to preview the next Feature Drop — which coincides with Quarterly Platform Releases — expected in June.
Android 12 Stories March 7
Android 12.1 with the March security patch is rolling out today for the Pixel 3a, Pixel 4, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5, and Pixel 5a. [Update: The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro will see SP2A.220305.013.A3 (Global build) OTAs “later this month.”]
Here are the 81 issues that Android 12L fixes on Google Pixel phones
In addition to bringing Android 12L and the quarterly Feature Drop, the March security patch fixes 80 issues for the Pixel 3a to Pixel 6 Pro.
Google is rolling out the Pixel’s tenth Feature Drop this March. While it will be available starting today for the Pixel 3a through 5a, the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro will get the Feature Drop “later” this March in a situation similar to the start of this year.
Back in October, Google announced Android 12L as an unexpected “special feature drop” to improve the OS on tablets and foldables devices. After one 12L developer preview and three betas, this next release of Android — officially version 12.1 — is launching for Pixel phones alongside the March Feature Drop, while Google detailed what’s coming for tablets and foldables.
Android 12 Stories March 3
Live Captions is one of those features you never really realized you needed until it was available. In essence, it captions every bit of audio that your device plays for easy accessibility. This guide will take you through how to enable it or disable it on your Android 12 device, as well as a couple of tips and tricks.
Sony has now started rolling out Android 12 to 2019’s Xperia 1 II and the previous flagship Xperia Pro having previously updated the Xperia 1 III and Xperia 5 III late last month.
Android 12 Stories February 25
Google Phone prepares Material You inspired dialer that looks like Android 12’s lockscreen [Gallery]
Material You elements quickly took over various Google apps in the lead-up and following the rollout of Android 12, but it seems Google isn’t done. Hidden in the latest Google Phone update is a new dialer design that has some familiar Material You elements.
