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Google rolls out Android 12L's second beta to supported devices (Update)
- Google has officially announced the availability of the first Android 12L beta build.
- The feature drop improves the Android user and developer experience on devices with larger displays.
- Those with eligible Pixel devices can grab the beta now. The Lenovo Tab P12 Pro will receive the beta build later.
Update: January 13, 2022 (3:15 AM ET): Google has silently rolled out the second Android 12L beta to eligible devices this week, keeping up with its rollout plans. This update’s earmarked as an “incremental beta update” but does bring several aesthetic tweaks to the table.
The update is available to download on “any Pixel 3a, 4, 4a, 5, or 5a series device” but isn’t yet available on the Pixel 6 series. Google is working to bring the update to the new flagship “soon.”
Original article: December 8, 2021 (1:00 PM ET): Google announced plans to launch an Android 12 feature drop specifically for large displays back in October. Today, Android 12L‘s first beta is officially available for supported devices.
It’s right on time according to Google’s rollout plans for Android 12L, too. You can install the patch if you own a Google Pixel 3a or newer. You can also give the beta a try in Android Studio. For those who specifically bought a Lenovo Tab P12 Pro to get a taste of Android 12L on an actual tablet, you’ll need to wait a few more days for its specific beta. Google does note owners of the tablet can currently try the first developer preview.
So what can Android 12L users expect? For users, the beta includes bug fixes, user experience improvements, and the December 2021 security patch. For developers, new build tools and system images are included and the official Android 12L APIs. Beyond these additions, most of the features already outlined by Google in previous updates are included in the beta. This includes UI tweaks specifically for larger displays, smarter multitasking, and a “better letterboxing” experience to help unsupported apps look better.
How to join the Android 12L beta
If you own one of the nine supported Google Pixels, you can enroll in the Android 12L beta program at the link. You’ll receive an over-the-air update in due course. Those who already belong to the Android 12 beta program will automatically receive Android 12L beta.
Google has at least two additional beta builds planned for release in January and February 2022. Expect the stable version to launch by Q2 2022.