After much advance the news of Android 12 , for first users who are encouraged they can already try the new Google operating system for mobile phones. The first developer preview has just hit the Web, for a handful of supported mobiles. How is it installed and what news does it bring?
We have known for a long time that the new software would allow users to easily use third-party app stores, that the App Pairs would improve the split-screen function, and that we would enjoy a new user interface.
Now that the software is official, we can find out what to expect from Android 12 and what it offers again.
What’s new in Android 12?
Security and usability are the great improvements that we find in the new operating system for Google mobile phones:
- Password complexity: No need to think or remember complex passwords, Android will present preset complexity levels (high / medium / low) to access the phone. For this Android 12 will use Google Play Protect and the SafetyNet Attestation API.
- The device configuration process has been improved : This includes asking users if the password provided does not meet the complexity requirements set by an administrator.
- Double tap gesture: Pixel phone owners can double tap on the back of the phone to launch the Google Assistant. In the future it could be used to check a notification, take a screenshot, pause / resume media playback, etc …
- Application pairs: App Pair will allow you to launch two applications simultaneously, something especially beneficial for folding phones that offer more screen space.
- Face-based automatic rotation: Android 12 will fix the problem of automatic rotation when you are lying on the couch or in bed by detecting when you are lying down based on the orientation of your face. If you notice that the user and the smartphone are horizontally, the automatic rotation will be disabled.
- AVIF Image Support: Android 12 introduces support for the AV1 (AVIF) image file format, set to bury JPEG. This format has a high image quality but with a more efficient compression. In some cases, it looks noticeably better than a JPEG image while reducing its size.
- Media transcoding : Android 12 will support automatic transcoding of media to higher quality formats. For applications that are not supported or cannot support the High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) codec used by many modern camera applications, Android 12 will automatically transcode the video file to the Advanced Video Coding (AVC) format.
To this we have to add we will redirect in the interface of screenshots, settings, notifications or new options to share a Wi-Fi connection, content hosted on the mobile or enjoy a new pop-up music player, quite similar to Spotify .
On what mobiles can it be installed?
Google makes that pretty clear on their developer page. The Developer Preview of the operating system has everything already available to test all the news of Android 12 , but not on any mobile. At the moment only Google smartphones are compatible with the software, and not all.
- Google Pixel 3/3 XL
- Google Pixel 3a / 3a XL
- Google Pixel 4/4 XL
- Google Pixel 4a / 4a 5G
- Google Pixel 5
How do I install the Android 12 beta?
Various problems can be encountered while using Android 12 , but that is very normal for developer versions of any software.
The process to install Android 12 on the mobile is not that simple. Remember that, as the name suggests, it is a beta for developers who are used to working with ROMs continuously. If you still want to go ahead, this is the process to follow:
- Download Android 12: There is an OTA file, which is installed on your current version of Android without erasing the contents of the phone. You can download the file from this link and locate the one that is compatible with your phone, remember, the Google Pixel 3 / XL, Pixel 3a / XL, Pixel 4 / XL, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5. You will not be able to install it on the original Pixel / XL or Pixel 2 / XL.
- Boot into recovery mode: Turn off the phone and then press and hold the power button and the volume down button at exactly the same time until you see the Android doll lying on the screen. Using the volume buttons, scroll down to recovery mode. Select it by accepting with the power button. TO
- ADB: Using the volume buttons, scroll down to the Apply ADB update option and select it with the power button. This will open a blank screen with text near the bottom that tells you how to download an OTA.
- Connect the phone to a computer with the ADB tools installed: This is the only way to transfer the downloaded OTA file to the phone. You should have the ADB and Fastboot tools running on your computer.
- Upload the OTA file: As long as everything is well downloaded and installed, you can now download the OTA file. On Windows, make sure the command prompt is pointing to the ADB tools folder and type adb sideload.
If you’re working on macOS or Linux, do the same in Terminal (using the “cd” and “ls” commands to make sure it’s pointing to the correct folder) but type ./adb sideload. Then, you will need to insert the filename of the .zip folder that you downloaded from Google page and hit Enter to start the process.
If everything works correctly, you should see a dialog box on your computer and on your phone that shows the download process and the installation process. - Restart your phone: Once the OTA finishes installing, you will return to recovery mode. The last step to enjoy Android 12 is to press the Restart now button with the power button.
When does the final version of the operating system arrive?
The first Developer Preview is released today, but it will be followed by two more updates in March and April. According to Google’s plans, the idea is that the different beta versions of Android 12 will be made available to users in May, June and July, thus preparing the ground for the launch of the final version of the software from August .
Probably, seeing what has happened years past, it would arrive together with the new Pixel 6, around October or November.
Source> Android Developers
