How do I download and install Android 12 Developer Preview?
The beta version of the Android 12 operating system is now available. In this tutorial, we show you how to download it and install it on your device.
Compatible devices
The first step you should take is to know our updated article about the latest Android 12 information.
The planned premiere of the full version of Android 12 is scheduled for this summer, but it is already possible to download and install it in a test version. Android 12 Developer Preview is mostly compatible with, but not all, Google Pixel devices. 2016 models and the Pixel 2 series are not compatible with the latest version of the system. Below you will find a list of all compatible devices from Google:
Google Pixel 5
Google Pixel 4a (5G)
Google Pixel 4a
Google Pixel 4 XL
Google Pixel 4
Google Pixel 3a XL
Google Pixel 3a
Google Pixel 3 XL
Google Pixel 3
In addition to the Pixel series, installing the trial version is also possible on devices from Google partners. You can find the full list of partners below:
ASUS
OnePlus
OPPO
realme
Sharp
TECNO
TCL
Vivo
Xiaomi
ZTE
Installation on Google Pixel devices
The easiest way to download Android 12 beta for Google smartphones is to register your smartphone with the Android Beta for Pixel program. After registration, the device will regularly receive OTA (over-the-air) updates to the latest system versions, including the final one.
Registration is a simple, quick process and is recommended for unfamiliar users and developers. In most cases, you don't need to perform a full data reset to upgrade to beta, but we recommend that you make a backup before registering your device.
Flashing Android 12
An alternative method is the so-called flashing. This approach can be useful when you need more control over the software under test. The recommended way to flash Android 12 on Pixel devices is to use Android Flash Tool.
If you prefer to flash your device manually, you can download a system image from this page. There you will find general instructions on how to flash a system image to your device.
Important: After uploading the beta version to a compatible Pixel device, you automatically register with OTA for all subsequent versions.
Installation on partner devices
Detailed installation instructions can be found on the partner websites. Each of them provides a system image that can be downloaded and flashed onto a compatible brand device, and some also offer OTA.
Partners provide support resources to help guide you through the installation process - follow the Get the Beta link on this page. Linking will take you to the selected partner's website, where you will find the download section and information about OTA. Each Android 12 beta partner provides their own channel to report issues found on their device.
Android emulator configuration
Setting up an Android emulator is a great solution for discovering new features and APIs, as well as testing the changes taking place in the new version of the system. Set up is quick and convenient, and it allows you to emulate different screen sites and device characteristics. You can configure the emulator from within Android Studio by following these steps:
- Install the latest preview version of the program.
- In Android Studio, click Tools> SDK Manager.
- On the SDK Tools tab, select the latest version of the Android emulator and click OK. This action installs the latest version if it is not already installed.
- In Android Studio, click Tools> AVD Manager and follow the instructions to create a new Android Virtual Device (AVD).
Note that 32-bit system images are not supported on Android 12. If you do not already have an Android 12 image that matches your selected device, click Download next to the release name to download it.
- Go back to the virtual devices list in AVD Manager, then double-click your virtual device to start it.
Overall System Image (GSI)
Generic System Image (GSI) binaries are available to developers to test the application and verify its performance on supported treble compatible devices. You can use these images to troubleshoot any Android 12 compatibility issues as well as detect and report any issues with it before it's officially released.
