Android 12 urges you to get the Beta and update your tools. Google released its first Beta for Android 12 last month – May 2021. Beta 2 became the most downloaded/installed version of Android. Android 12 Beta is currently available for – Google Pixel 3, OnePlus, Lenovo, Asus, Oppo, Realme, Sharp, Tecno, TCL, Vivo, and Xiaomi brands.
Android 12 comes with behaviour changes, new features, API, compatibility tools, improved performance, privacy and security. Let’s have a look:
Android 12 Beta 2 Features
- Call Settings – Android 12 has some modifications in the user interface, but Google is fiddling with the details. Android 12 Beta 2 tracks the length of the current call with an indicator in the status bar. In general, the phone app creates the notification of the call duration. Users tap it to return to the phone app quickly. That still exists, but it requires you to open the notifications shade first. Users get a chip (pill-shaped UI element) in the status bar in Android 12 that shows the duration of the call. Third-party apps use the chip to show call duration and set up a custom action when the chip taps.
- Privacy Dashboard – It lets users access the microphone, camera, location. It allows users to check with the app as to why it accesses sensitive data. Developers provide this information by handling new system intent ACTION_VIEW_PERMISSION_USAGE_FOR_PERIOD. It comes with a microphone, camera indicators in the status bar. Users get to deactivate the microphone and camera in quick settings.
- Toast Notification – It indicates a small notification appearing at the bottom of the screen every time the apps read from the clipboard.
- Internet Panel – It is available for the – Status Bar, Quick Settings and Settings that enable easy switching between their internet providers and troubleshoot network connectivity issues.
- Material You – Google uses this ideology to let users customize the UI as desired. The new user interface comes with a colour extraction feature that offers a custom palette based on the wallpaper. It also applied that colour to the notification shade, lock screen, volume controls, new widgets and more.
- Lock Screen – New lock screen now supports dynamic lighting. The clock on the lock screen enlarges when there are no notifications.
- Quick Settings (Notifications) – It now includes Google Pay and Home Controls.
- Google Assistant On-demand – Long press the power button, and Google Assistant will be in service.
- Microphone and Camera Indicators – Android 12 beta 2 brings indicators to the status bar that lets users know when the camera or microphone is in use; You may go to Quick Settings to check which apps are accessing your mic and camera.
- Camera Toggles – Android 12 brings in ‘Quick Setting toggles’ on some select devices that make it easier for the users to disable app access on the microphone and camera. When it is off, the app’s using it will receive blank audio and camera feed. The Android system handles notifying the user to enable access to use the app’s features.
- Clipboard Read Notifications – It enables users to be clear about when apps read from the clipboard. Android 12 displays a toast at the bottom of the screen each time an app calls (Toast Notifications). If you copy the clipboard from the same app, Android does not show any notifications.
- Intuitive Connectivity Experience – It enables users to manage their network connections judiciously. Android 12 beta 2 brings an intuitive connectivity experience with Status Bar, Quick Settings, and Settings. The new Internet Panel enables users to switch in between their internet providers and troubleshoot network problems.
How to Install Android 12 Beta 2 Update
Beta 2 version of Android 12 is out for public review and is available for download for Google Pixel 3, Pixel 3XL, Pixel 3A, Pixel 3A XL, Pixel 4, Pixel 4XL, Pixel 4A, Pixel 4A 5G and Pixel 5. Before downloading, you need to enrol your device on the Android 12 beta website. Going forward, go to settings > System > Advanced > System Update > Check for Update.
How to Opt-Out of Android 12 Beta?
Visit Android Beta website > Select the “opt-out” option (at the bottom of your device name) > Settings > System > Advanced > System Update > Check for update. Then Install the update, but backup all your phone data as the new update will factory reset your phone.
Conclusive:
I hope you find it relevant. Android beta is the most downloaded and installed update by Google to date. But it requires you to backup your device before installing it. If your device is on Android 12 Beta 1, then it will automatically take Beta 2. But if not, you’ll have to follow the manual process.