Recognition: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
- Today, Google is bringing the first beta version of Android 12 to its latest Pixel smartphones.
- The first beta features a wild new look for Android, plus lots of fixes and new features that weren’t in previous Developer Previews.
- However, this is still beta software. Install them at your own risk.
Today, during the keynote on Google I / O 2021, the company finished the next iteration of Android 12. To be honest, it’s a wild OS overhaul that could prove to be pretty polarizing.
The good news is that if you want to try it out, you can now install the first Android 12 beta on your Pixel phone. You need Pixel 3 / 3XL, Pixel 3a / 3a XL, Pixel 4/4 XL, Pixel 4a / 4a 5G, or Pixel 5 to install it. Don’t have a pixel? See our summary of other offers for individual OEMs here.
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Note that this is still beta software and inevitably has bugs and missing features. It’s sturdy enough for general use, but it might be best to wait a few more months if your Pixel phone is your exclusive daily driver.
First Android 12 Beta: What’s New?
The two biggest updates with this first beta are the general look and feel of Android and improvements to privacy and security controls.
First, the Android operating system received the biggest visual makeover in years. The lock screen, notification shadow, app drawer, widgets, settings pages and much more look completely different than they did on Android 11. The first beta version of Android 12 also introduces new animations and transitions.
The biggest aesthetic change, however, is a new feature called color extraction. This feature automatically selects a color palette for your device by scanning your phone’s wallpaper. This creates a seamless and consistent visual experience across the operating system.
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To ensure data protection and security, Google is introducing a new data protection dashboard. Similar to the Digital Wellbeing Dashboard, this new feature lets you see at a glance which of your apps are using which permissions.
In addition, Google is rolling out Quick Tiles that focus on privacy. With the tap of a tile, you can block all access to your camera and / or microphone. This is ideal when you are in a sensitive meeting, doctor’s appointment, or other applicable situation.
To get started with the first Android 12 beta, check out our guide on how to install it here.