Last Updated on
Last Updated on
All aboard the final stop for Android 12 Beta releases with Beta 5, which includes the recently released Google Pixel 5A. Android 12 Betas have seen a successful run, reaching stability with Android 12 Beta 4. Previous Android 12 Beta release notes can be here, but this release is quite exciting. Android 12 Beta 5 represents the closest vision of Google’s Android 12 full release. We don’t know the Android 12 release date just yet, bar that it’s coming this year and will support Google Pixel 5A and down plus an array of OEM devices from Samsung, Huawei, Realme, Xiaomi, and more.
To register for the beta program, click here. To check if your device is eligible, click here. Released on September 8th, Android 12 Beta 5 is not only for users to preview what’s coming but for developers to make final adjustments for app optimization. For example, at a glance not showing weather is a classic example of developer optimization. For users of Android 12 Beta 5, this widget is going to be replaced by ‘Live Space’, a multitasking area that displays information from multiple apps. This is probably why At a Glance is broken for many.
Google Clock Widget ‘Material You’ Overhaul
‘Material You’ is the moniker for Google’s new design philosophy for Android 12’s user interface, which automatically chooses dynamic color palettes based on your home screen background. Mostly a visual overhaul than anything else, some one-handed functionality has been considered by moving interactive buttons to the bottom of the screen alongside bigger option bubbles.
App Splash Screens
Although it only looks like Google apps have animated icons for splash screens at the moment, a splash screen flashes up when opening an App, which brings a nice uniform presentational value to Android 12. Let’s hope third-party app developers join the bandwagon as time goes on.
Faster Google Search Bar
The google search bar now looks up Apps, Contacts, Settings, Shortcuts, Web Searches, and more. What’s more? It does it all at lightning speed, which is another step Google is taking to make Android 12 just work how you think it should.
Device Controls and GPay Shortcuts Added To Lock Screen
This comes in really handy for those with smart home setups. You can once again access your device controls from the lock screen thanks to a new icon in the bottom-right of the lock screen. Opposite a GPay shortcut, it’s a simple yet powerful shortcut to quickly turn off smart home equipment once you’ve left home, or for when you and Google Assistant aren’t on speaking terms.
Google Calculator Gets A Material You Makeover
Falling in line with Android 12 Monet engine design aesthetic, Google Calculator 8.0 receives a lovely Material You re-design.
Paint Chips Widget
Serving as an extension of Android 12s Material You Easter Egg (Repeatedly tap ‘Android Version’ for a clock widget. Set it to 12 and enjoy a Monet engine generated color splash). After doing this, the ‘Paint Chips’ widget unlocks, which allows you to see each color value currently being used by Monet.
Developer Reported Issues:
Other Resolved Issues:
For the latest top issues, head over to the Google Issue Tracker here. Other known issues from the Android Beta 5 release notes include:
All apps
Google apps
Android platform
Android Studio and tools
“Installation did not succeed.
The application could not be installed: INSTALL_FAILED_VERIFICATION_FAILURE
List of apks:
[0] ‘…/build/outputs/apk/debug/app-debug.apk’
Installation failed due to: ‘null’”
Android Auto
Android TV
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