Android 12: Release date, features, leaks, rumours, and news

Every year, Google releases a major software update to its Android mobile operating system.

Last year, it rolled out Android 11. In 2021 it will announce Android 12. There isn't a lot of information yet about the upgrade, but a few things have emerged. Below, you'll find a list of everything known, including all the juiciest rumours.

Be sure to check back, too, as Pocket-lint plans to update this guide with all the latest news, leaks, and reports.

When will Android 12 be available?

• Developer preview release date: Around February 2021
• Public beta release date: Around May 2021
• Official rollout for consumers: Around September 2021

Google usually follows a pattern: in the first few months of the year, it launches a developer preview. For instance, the Android 11 developer preview landed in February 2020. Android 12's developer preview, therefore, is expected to arrive as soon as February 2021. Then, usually in May, Google holds its I/O conference, where it announces the first public beta for consumers to test new features.

The final, finished, version of Android 12 likely won't get an official rollout to compatible handsets until September 2021.

Which phones will get Android 12 first?

• Pixel devices will surely get Android 12 first
• Next Pixel flagship will probably launch with it
• Partner devices might also be included in initial rollout

When the final version of Android 12 releases, it'll likely come first to select devices, including Google's own Pixel lineup. For instance, at launch, Android 11 only supported Pixel 2 and newer Pixel phones as well as a handful of devices from OnePlus, Xiaomi, OPPO, and Realme.

For the Android 11 update, we've seen some brands moving faster as normal, with Samsung getting updates into many phones by December 2020, a couple of months faster than usual.

Will the next update be called Android 12?

• Yes. Google confirmed the name in 2020.

Google announced last September via an Android Developers blog post that the 2021 Android release will be called Android 12.

The aim here is to make things more formal, so Google is using a basic numbered approach rather than pushing the sweet treat names it used previously. However, we believe that Android 12 is also being called Snow Cone - and we'd expect to see the S moniker appearing within the software when it arrives.

Is there anything new in Android 12?

In terms of new Android 12 features we've seen a number of new features leak or dicusssed. 

That said, the following has been confirmed, leaked, or rumoured to date...

A new design

Android 12 could introduce a new design for widgets and notifications. This might result in much rounder bubbles for a more modern look. It's also said that privacy will be tightened, potentially using icons to indicate when apps are using the camera or microphone to alert the user.

One-handed mode and rolling screenshot 

Rumours suggest that Android 12 might introduce some familiar features, with one-handed mode and rolling screenshot both on the list - and both common features from Samsung phones. There's also the suggestion that Pixel owners might get a face-based screen rotation function to keep the screen pointing the right direction even when you're lying down.

Easier, safe access to 'other app stores'

Google said in a blog post last autumn that Android 12 will “make it even easier for people to use other app stores on their devices while being careful not to compromise the safety measures Android has in place". It didn't elaborate on what this means, specifically, or how it will work. But we're assuming you'll be able to quickly access apps in third-party stores with your device, and there will be safety protections in place.

Restricted Networking mode

XDA Developer's Mishaal Rahman dug into Android Open Source Project (AOSP) Gerrit entries and spotted mentions of a new Restricted Networking mode. Specifically, once enabled, the feature would allow apps with a "connectivity use restricted networks" permission to access the network. Other apps on your phone without that permission wouldn't be able to send or receive data.

Mishaal indicates this permission can only be granted to privileged system apps signed by the OEM. This, therefore, doesn't appear to be a system-level configurable firewall, but it still has interesting use-case potential. Imagine if Google offers a user-facing settings option to restrict internet access on a per-app basis. However, it's not clear yet how Google might implement its Restricted Networking mode into Android 12.

App Pairs split-screen experience

Android 11 offers a split-screen experience, where you can open two apps on your device at the same time. For Android 12, 9to5Google said Google is working on an improved version called App Pairs. Currently, split screen effectively “pins” one app, but Android 12’s App Pairs system will group two apps together as one “task" so you can choose two of your recently opened apps to become a pair.

Once paired, you should be able to toggle between using a different single app and the pair you created. 9to5Gogole shared a mockup of how the feature looks. (You can see it above. The left is Android 11 now. The right, however, shows how the recents view treats a pair as one joint activity.) Android 12's App Pairs offers a divider, too, to let you adjust how much of the screen is used up by an app.

OS updates directly from Play Store

Android 12 might also make it easier for Google to directly deliver operating system updates. XDA Developers noticed the company plans to add Android Runtime (ART) as a Mainline module in Android 12, allowing it to push more operating system updates through Google Play Store, rather than sending them over the air. This could result in more frequent updates and fewer hangups from phone manufacturers.

'Hibernate' unused apps to free up space

XDA Developers discovered Android 12 could have a feature that "hibernates" open apps not currently in use, making them less power-intensive and freeing up space. Based on code changes submitted to AOSP, Google, specifically, is adding a new system, “that manages app hibernation state, a state apps can enter that means they are not being actively used and can be optimized for storage".

Double-tap gesture for Pixel phones

Google could be working to bring a double-tap gesture to Pixel phones with Android 12.

By default, by giving a quick double-tap to the back of your phone, this gesture can invoke Google Assistant, but it can be configured for other actions, too, like to take a screenshot, pause/resume media playback, open the notification shade, and open the recent apps view.

The double-tap gesture was first spotted last year as a potential Android 11 feature. It was rumoured to replace the “Active Edge” squeeze gesture, but it never materialised. Now, Google is reportedly working to revive the feature, codenamed Columbus, for Pixel phones.

Android 12: What's happened so far?

Here's everything we've heard about Android 12 so far.

16 February 2021: Android 12 Snow Cone might add software features OEMs have offered for years

Rumours suggest that Android 12 might introduce a one-handed model, rolling screenshot and might give Pixel owners a face-based screen rotation feature.

9 February 2021: Possible Android 12 interface leaks early, shows new widget design

Images said to come from the slide showing Android 12's visuals have leaked, giving us a look at what we might expect from the software.

25 January 2021: Android 12 could add double-tap gesture for Pixels

9to5Google claimed Google is working to bring a double-tap gesture to Pixel phones with Android 12. Codenamed Columbus, this gesture can invoke Google Assistant, and it can be configured for other actions. You just have to do a quick double-tap to the back of your phone to use it.

21 January 2021: Android 12 set to improve split screen with ‘App Pairs’

9to5Google claimed Google is working on a revamped version of split screen called “App Pairs.”

19 January 2021: Android 12 might let you hibernate unused apps

XDA Developers claimed Google is working on an app hibernation feature to free up space for Android 12.

19 January 2021: Google might introduce a Restricted Networking mode with Android 12

A handful of commits merged to AOSP describe a new restricted networking mode feature possibly for Android 12.

25 November 2020: Google to make the Android Runtime (ART) a Mainline module

XDA Developers claimed Google plans to include the Android Runtime (ART) as an updatable Mainline module in Android 12.

30 September 2020: Google is already talking about Android 12 changes

We didn't expect Google's first mention of Android 12 - the next iteration of Android expected in 2021 - to be about app stores and fees.

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