Skip to main content

Android 12 Beta 1: Is it worth installing?

Sundar Pichai stands in front of a Google logo at Google I/O 2021.
This story is part of our complete Google I/O coverage

At Google I/O 2021, the company finally offered a clear look at Android 12. The update boasts a total interface refresh, with a fresh coat of paint across almost all aspects of the operating system — along with some serious functional improvements.

But it’s not available to the public yet. Google traditionally shows off early versions of an operating system at Google I/O, and after a lengthy beta program, releases a consumer version to the public around September or October. Released today was simply the first beta of Android 12 — not a final, consumer-ready build.

Recommended Videos

So should you install Android 12 Beta 1? In a word, no. But there are some exceptions to that rule.

Finally, a new interface

Android 12 notification quick settings and media player
Google

After several updates to the Developer Preview with little to really look at, Beta 1 represents the first build of Android 12 that actually includes interface changes. Some of the all-new interface shown off at Google I/O is available in Beta 1, including the redesigned lock screen, notification experience, and generally updated feel.

That alone could be enough to make you want to manually flash Beta 1 to your phone.

A whole lot is missing, though. All of the “Material You” theming options have yet to make their appearance, nor have the new widgets or many of the one-off features that were shown on stage at the I/O keynote. As usual, these headline features are held for the launch of the latest Pixel phone (the Pixel 6) in the fall.

So yes, you can get an early look at the latest and greatest in Android design by hopping onto the Beta now; but it’s far from a complete look.

Bugs all around

There’s a good reason most people should steer clear of installing beta versions of software: Bugs. Beta programs are here for a reason: They allow companies to test their next-generation software with a wide audience, which gives them an opportunity to iron out the bugs and gives developers an opportunity to test their own software.

But the bugs that Google has to iron out before it releases Android 12 to the public could be more than a glitch in the interface. Worst case scenario is that they could completely brick your phone, rendering it useless. A little better than that is that you could experience frequent app crashes, issues connecting to Bluetooth devices, and things just not working as they should.

Sure there’s a lot of fun; but also a lot of potential frustration.

What will likely happen is that Android 12 will mostly work as it should, with occasional app crashes (or some apps just not working at all), and some things not working the way they should some of the time — but even that will make for a frustrating overall experience.

Of course, even if you want to install Android 12 before everyone else, that doesn’t mean you have to do it now — you could wait for a few months, until at least most of the major bugs have been dealt with, and we’re on Beta 2 or 3.

Multi-phone users

Not everyone needs to wait to experience Android 12, even though most should. If you happen to have an extra compatible phone lying around that isn’t your primary device, and that you don’t mind being bricked, then you might want to install Android 12 Beta 1. You’ll have to jump through a few hoops to do so — and again, it will continue to be refined over time, but you’ll get to test out the new operating system before everyone else.

To install Android 12 Beta 1, head to the Android Beta Program website and sign up your device. You’ll need to have a compatible phone, which includes any Google Pixel 3 or later, plus a handful of partner devices that are rolling out support starting with this release.

Just don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Christian de Looper
Christian de Looper is a long-time freelance writer who has covered every facet of the consumer tech and electric vehicle…
Android is prepping notification summaries. Let’s hope it’s better than iOS
Android notification summaries concept.

So far, Google has done an admirable job of putting generative AI tools on Android smartphones. Earlier today, it announced further refinements to how users interact with Gemini AI assistant and extended a few freebies, too. Now, Google seems to be chasing an AI tool that has worked poorly on iPhones.
The folks over at AndroidAuthority took a peek at the code of Android 13’s latest beta update and found the mention of“notification summaries.” To enable this feature, users will have to flick a dedicated toggle under the Notifications dashboard of the Settings app.

A thoughtful approach for Android
Thankfully, users will be able to disable notifications for apps that they don’t want to see summarized notifications. An analysis of the strings suggests that the feature will only summarize notifications that host conversational content, such as messages, and no other app alerts.
This is a thoughtful strategy, and will likely avoid the mess that came from summarized notifications within the Apple Intelligence bundle. Notification summaries are a useful way to catch up on the chatter in a buzzy group, like friends or workplace chats.

Read more
Android 16’s latest beta adds an iPhone-like Battery Health tool
Android 16 battery health dashboard.

Google has started the rollout of Android 16’s third beta build. It’s not a massive aesthetic makeover, but there are a few features that users will appreciate. Among them is the addition of a health check system for the phone’s battery.
The new feature, called Battery Health, can be accessed by opening the Battery dashboard in the Settings app. There isn’t a heap of functional stuff here, aside from an information deck that essentially tells you about the electrochemical status of your phone’s battery.

Why this is important?
A typical lithium-ion battery fitted inside smartphones undergoes repeated charge-discharge cycles, almost on a daily basis. Over time, chemical degradation happens, which affects how long the battery can retain charge. Technically speaking, rechargeable batteries are consumables and they have a limited lifespan.
A lot of factors are involved here, such as impedance and battery voltage, both of which are affected by the chemical age of a battery. Based on the battery’s health, smartphones perform certain optimizations to manage the device workload, prevent shutdowns, and manage scenarios such as lags.

Read more
Android 16 will make your phone’s lock screen more powerful this summer
Android 16 lock screen widgets first look.

Android 16 is due to release in June this year and its first quarterly update will include lock screen widgets. Expected in late summer, the update will bring the lock screen widgets already available on Pixel Tablets to other tablets and Android 16 phones.

Support for the lock screen will be turned on for all widgets by default, though there will be a disable option for developers. This means you'll be able to display important information front and center on your lock screen. If you click a widget that opens an app, you'll need to unlock your phone before it completes its action but this will still be a lot faster than opening your phone and finding the app manually.

Read more