What is Android 12L? How to Install Android 12L Beta 1?

What is Android 12L?

One of the most notable features that have caught everyone’s attention is the introduction of two-column layout. Most OS components, such as the notification panel, lock screen, and settings menu, have adopted this new UI style. Also, at the bottom of the screen is a new taskbar. Like your PC, you can pin your favorite apps to this taskbar and access them with just one tap.

Then there’s the new “Quick Wallpaper Picker” option in Stock Launcher. Nearby Calling feature for Google Pixel and Nest devices has also been added. Then the popular Dynamic Theme Support in Android 12 has also got access to L Variant, but with an added bonus – you also get Material You theme in Boot Animations. Overall, there are some UI tweaks that will be very useful for late screen displays.

Android 12L Release Schedule

The first developer preview build will be released somewhere around October 2021, according to a timeline released by Google. Then by the end of the year, we might even get a taste of the first beta blood. The second beta will be released in January next year, followed by the third and final beta in February 2022. After that, the stable Android 12L build will be introduced for eligible devices.

Can I install Android 12L on my device?

So can you install Android 12L on your smartphone (which is not a tablet, Chromebook, or it has a big screen display!)? Well, if you own Pixel device 3A or later variants, the answer is yes. On the other hand, if you have a non-pixel device, you can still try this blood, even with the GSI blood.

Download Android 12L

You could now download the Android 12L for your Pixel device from below or download the GSI package for non-Pixel devices.

Android 12L Beta 1 for Pixel Devices

DeviceOTAFactory Image
Google Pixel 3aLinkLink
Google Pixel 3a XLLinkLink
Google Pixel 4LinkLink
Google Pixel 4 XLLinkLink
Google Pixel 4aLinkLink
Google Pixel 4a 5GLinkLink
Google Pixel 5LinkLink
Google Pixel 5aLinkLink
Google Pixel 6AwaitedAwaited
Google Pixel 6 ProAwaitedAwaited

Android 12L Beta 1 for Non-Pixel Devices (GSI Builds)

ArchitectureGSI Package
x86+GMSLink
ARM64+GMSLink
x86_64Link
ARM64Link

GMS packages contain all the Google apps, services, and frameworks, whereas the non-GMS packages will give you a de-Googled experience. If you are unsure about the device’s architecture, then you could take the help of a third-party app like CPUZ.

How to Install Android 12L Beta 1

STEP 1: Install Android SDK

First and foremost, you will have to install the Android SDK Platform Tools on your PC. This is the official ADB and Fastboot binary provided by Google and is the only recommended one. So download it and then extract it to any convenient location on your PC. Doing so will give you the platform-tools folder, which will be used throughout this guide.

STEP 2: Enable USB Debugging

Next up, you will have to enable USB Debugging so that your device is recognizable by the PC in ADB mode. This will then allow you to boot your device to Fastboot Mode. So head over to Settings > About Phone > Tap on Build Number 7 times > Go back to Settings > System > Advanced > Developer Options > Enable USB Debugging.

STEP 3: Boot to Fastboot Mode

  1. Now connect your device to the PC via USB cable. Make sure USB Debugging is enabled.
  2. Then head over to the platform-tools folder, type in CMD in the address bar, and hit Enter. This will launch the Command Prompt.
  3. Type in the following command in the CMD window to boot your device to Fastboot Mode
adb reboot bootloader
  1. To verify the Fastboot connection, type in the below command and you should get back the device ID.
fastboot devices

STEP 4: Extract the Android 12L Firmware

  1. To begin with, extract the downloaded Android 12L firmware to the platform-tools folder on your PC.

If you want to skip the factory reset (not recommended), then open the flash_all.bat file via a Text editor like Notepad++ and delete the -w keyword from the fastboot -w update image-name.zip command (see below image)

  1. Now with your device booted to Fastboot and connected to PC, launch the flash-all.bat file.
  2. The flashing process will now begin and could take a couple of minutes.
  3. Once done, your device should boot to the newly installed OS.

That’s it. These were the steps to install the latest Android 12L onto your Pixel device. While you wouldn’t be able to enjoy all the goodies on your smartphone that this L variant has in store (because your device would be having a DPI of less than 600), but still there will be a few minor changes. So do let us know your views about the same in the comments section. Likewise, all your queries are welcomed in the comments below.

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