Google opens Android 12 Developer Preview

While smartphone manufacturers are still busy rolling out Android 11 to their devices, Google today has announced that its Android 12 Developer Preview 1 is now open. In addition to this, Google will be releasing two other Developer Previews in March and April. 

The four monthly beta previews will be accessible for download by non-developers starting May. Meanwhile, the final public version of Android 12 is set to arrive in September. 

The announcement was made by Google through their Android Developers website. The company put into detail what developers can expect from the first beta preview up to the fourth. 

“Beta 1 gives you a more complete and stable environment for building and testing on Android 12, and it’s the first build that we deliver to early adopters who are enrolled in the Android Beta program. During the Beta releases period, early adopters will be using your app on Pixel devices, so we recommend watching for feedback from those users and releasing compatible updates to address any issues, without changing the app’s targeting. It’s also a good time to begin preparing for changing your app’s targeting later.

With Beta 2 and Beta 3 you'll get increasingly complete and stable builds for continuing your testing and development. Starting at Beta 4 in August, Android 12 will reach Platform Stability, meaning that system behaviors and APIs are finalized. This is the time to begin final testing and development work needed to ensure that a compatible version of your app will be ready for users at the final release to the ecosystem. Android 12 will provide a standard API level at this time. Platform Stability is the time to shift focus to final compatibility testing and release your updated apps to users and downstream developers. You can also build with the final APIs and refine any new code that is using the new APIs or features. You can plan your work with confidence that the platform and APIs won't change."

Once the Beta 4 update is released by Google to Android 12, it will get Platform Stability which will not allow changes to apps made. But it’s important to note that Platform Stability is not expected until August. 

If you are a developer and you wish to install Android 12 Developer Preview 1, you can flash the update. It is currently compatible with the Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, Pixel 3a, Pixel 3a XL, Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a (5G), and Pixel 5 devices.