Introducing Android 12

Google updates its Android operating system every year, introducing new features and designs that keep the software in fine fettle, and the new version for 2021 is Android 12. Launching later this year, it will bring about a whole new design language and a host of new privacy features, among other improvements, to Google’s device ecosystem.

So, what will appear in Android 12 when it arrives on your phone? Here’s everything Google has revealed.

RELEASE DATE

The latest version of Android is usually first seen in developer previews in March, then publicly previewed at Google’s I/O event, with public beta versions releasing shortly afterwards and the final, full release of the software coming in the autumn.

The first developer preview of Android 12 went live on 18 February, granting developers their first chance to really sink their teeth into the update (with the second preview touching down on 17 March and the third on 21 April), before Google officially revealed the new OS at its annual I/O developer conference, launching its first public beta at the same time (the second public beta was then released on 9 June).

In the past few years, Android has adopted the following release pattern:

Android 9

First public beta: 8 May 2018

Full version release: 6 August 2018

Android 10

First public beta: 7 May 2019

Full version release: 3 September 2019

Android 11

First public beta: 10 June 2020

Full version release: 8 September 2020

Android 12

First public beta: 18 May 2021

Full version release: Tbc

If you want to download Android 12 Beta 2, we explain how on page 111.

COMPATIBLE PHONES

If you want to guarantee moving to the next version of Android, then you’ll want to buy one of Google’s own Pixel phones, such as the Pixel 5, Pixel 4a or Pixel 4a 5G, all of which get preferential treatment due to the fact that Google knows the exact make-up of each phone’s hardware configuration and software.

Any phones on the Android One platform, such as many Motorola and Nokia handsets, also get the newer versions quickly, although usually only for