Recognition: Jimmy Westenberg / Android Authority
- Google has released Android 12 Developer Preview 2.1.
- The upgrade fixes WebView bugs that caused some apps to crash.
- It’s available for Pixel 3 and newer Google phones.
Google is patching Android 12 Developer Preview 2 just days after it debuted – and this is an update you’ll want to download. The company released Android 12 Developer Preview 2.1 with a fix for the WebView bugs that caused app crashes.
The bug affected all apps that use the WebView system component to render content, including Gmail and the Google Search app. The company fixed the problem for most devices by releasing updated versions of WebView and Chrome. The Android 12 version should make sure you have these solutions without the need for separate downloads.
Continue reading: All previously confirmed Android 12 functions
There are no other changes listed for Developer Preview 2.1, but that’s not surprising given the focus on WebView. We expect changes beyond WebView to only happen with Android 12 Developer Preview 3 when it arrives sometime in April. This release focuses on preparing apps for the operating system’s public beta.
As before, you’ll need a Pixel 3 or newer Google phone to install the latest Developer Preview. You should get a wireless update if you are already running DP2. However, you can flash images if necessary. Just don’t use this on your main phone – as always, these early previews are for app builders who can put up with potential instability and other glitches. If you’re an enthusiast, you should wait at least until May to check out the beta.