Upcoming Android 12. Major Changes for Developers to Migrate from Android 11

About Android 12 -

Android is the world’s most popular and most used smartphone operating system, it's running on near about 3 billion smartphones.

Google releases a software update every year to its Android mobile operating system. Last year Google rolled out with Android 11 and in 2021, it announced Android 12, and it's available now in the form of an Android 12 beta. After a few months Google releases the stable version of Android 12, so let’s wait for it.

Google I/O developer conference on 20-May-2021, Google revealed the Android 12 operating system, it represents the biggest design changes in the Android OS, it has customizable color palettes, notifications updated, and battery-saving performance.

Android 12 or “Snow Cone” - 

Google uses the dessert-themed names in its internal codebase. That's why it is internally called Quince Tart for Android 10, Android 11 as  Red Velvet Cake, and for Android 12 is internally called Snow Cone.

Nowadays there are multiple Android App Development Companies in India. They started working on android 12 updating. Also, they are providing the service of a custom android app.

Android 12 releasing - 

Google usually follows a pattern for releasing any android version updates, In the first few months of the year, Google launches a developer preview then releases the final version.

There is detailed information on how the android 12 new release works.

Google has not confirmed the exact release date of the Android 12, but the company shared a timeline for the upcoming Developers Preview, Beta, and Stable releases.

The Android 12 Developer program ran from February 2021 until the final public release.

Developer Preview of Android 12 - 

Android 12 has released its first Developer Preview, which started on February 18, 2021.

Google continuously releases a minor patch that addresses several bugs and issues that users have been experiencing while using the first Developer Preview build. 

Android 12 Developer Preview 2 program releases on March 17, 2021, and Android 12 Developer Preview 3 releases on April 21, 2021.

Android Developer Previews are unstable, Google reserves the right to add or right to remove features at this stage, so if you do not see a feature in the first releases of Developer Previews or another one then don't be surprised.

Android 12 Beta releases - 

After a couple of Developer Preview releases, we have an idea about Android 12 Beta releases. The first one is coming on May 18 this year and it's a part of the Google I/O 2021 announcements. This Beta give us a fair idea of what the final android OS will look like. and maybe they also release minor bugs between Betas, just because of fixing any critical bugs. So after May 2021, Many companies have started using the android 12 beta.

There are many android development companies in India that have started checking previews of android 12 and so they can work on it as well as add support of android 12 on custom android app service.

Now companies start to hire android app developers who know about android 12.

Phones which gets the android 12 - 

• Pixel devices get Android 12 first
• Next Pixel launch with it
• Partner devices included in the public beta rollout

As is standard, Pixel phones get the public beta:

• Pixel 3 and 3 XL
• Pixel 3a and 3a XL
• Pixel 4 and 4 XL
• Pixel 4a and 4a (5G)
• Pixel 5

Android manufacturer partners also included in the initial rollout -  

• Asus Zenfone 8
• OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro
• Oppo Find X3 Pro
• Realme GT
• Tecno Camon 17
• TCL 20 
• TCL 20 Pro 5G
• Vivo iQOO 7 Legend 
• Xiaomi Mi 11
• Mi 11 Ultra
• Mi 11i and Mi 11X Pro
• ZTE Axon 30 Ultra 5G

What’s new with Android 12 Beta - 

These are the following main changes.

• Material You
• Wallpaper-based UX Theming
• Privacy Dashboard
• Private Compute Core
• App Hibernation
• Unlock your car from your phone
• Smoother Audio Transitions
• Widgets Overhaul
• Clipboard Access alerts
• AV1 Codec for Video Recording
• Location-free Bluetooth Scanning
• Updates from Alternative App Stores
• Shortcuts API for Google Assistant
• Bluetooth LE Audio API

Features leaked but not confirmed in Android 12 - 

• Anti-tracking Features
• Android’s Runtime Resource Overlay (RRO) Improvements
• Letterbox Feature
• Restricted Networking Mode
• API for connected Bluetooth controllers
• Game Controller Rumble Support
• Decoupled Emojis
• Ultra-Wideband API
• Install Hints - to speed up the installation 
• WireGuard VPN support in the Linux kernel
• Automatically Translate Apps to Native Language
• Let users manage hidden Recycle Bin

Anand Makwana

Project Manager

Anand Makwana is a Project Manager specializing in mobile app development, including Flutter app development, Android app development, iOS app development, React Native app development & Cross Platform Mobile App Development. He has extensive experience with IoT Application Development and Android Watch Apps.