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If you have a spare Pixel phone, you can install Android 12 right now.
Juan Garzon / CNET
Google released the first developer preview of Android 12, allowing developers and early adopters to experience the search giant’s latest mobile operating system. Installing Android Developer Beta 12 isn’t for everyone – it’s probably full of bugs and glitches – but we installed it on a test device and looked for noticeable changes.
Read more: 3 things Android 12 can do that Android 11 can’t
The first preview doesn’t have a lot of user-oriented features – it’s mostly under the hood improvements – but there are a few notable things to highlight. For example, there’s a new double-tap gesture that you trigger by touching the back of the phone to perform a task, like taking a screenshot. Google is always adding more features to the release as we get closer to the public beta in May and the final release later this year, so expect more improvements and new bonuses to come.
Below we will highlight some of the new features we can find in the current version and continue to update the list as Google releases more updates and activates more features. I recommend waiting at least for Google to release the first public beta before you take the plunge and install Android 12, but here’s what you can start to expect.
Check this out:
Our first look at Android 12
6:27
A gesture to get things done
Apple iPhone has a cool feature that allows you to press the back of the phone a number of times to trigger an action of your choice. It looks like Google is going to borrow this idea with a new Double-Tap gesture.
On my Pixel 5 I went to Settings > System > Gestures > Type twice where I activated the new feature. Once activated, you will see a list of actions that you can trigger. Tasks include taking a screenshot, playing and pausing media content, or opening the Google Assistant.
That said, I have not yet managed to trigger the gesture. I even disabled the setting at the bottom of the screen that requires hard press with no luck. This is clearly a feature coming to Android 12, but it doesn’t seem to be fully integrated yet.
Another sign that Google’s job is unfinished here: the animation playing at the top of the screen shows the person double-pressing the power button instead of pressing the phone.
Press the power button five times to call for help.
Screenshots of Jason Cipriani / CNET
Call for help with the emergency SOS
You can now quickly call for help by quickly pressing the power button on your phone five times. A countdown alarm will go off to notify you that your phone is about to call for help, then it will call your local emergency number.
Emergency SOS was enabled by default after installing the beta, but you can view the settings by opening the Settings app and go to Safety and emergency > Emergency SOS.
Interface changes are coming.
Screenshots of Jason Cipriani / CNET
Notifications have a slightly new look
This is a minor change, and one that will certainly be developed in future updates. The notification panel has a very subtle new look. When using the light theme, there is a blue tint to the notification shade and the app icons are more pronounced.
It’s a small change, but it shows a preview of the new interface approach that we expect to see more of in future releases.
Multimedia controls are no longer an “all apps” affair.
Screenshots of Jason Cipriani / CNET
Control which apps show up in media settings
Instead of allowing all apps that play audio or video to use the media control panel in your quick settings panel, Android 12 adds the ability to disable individual apps. For example, if you want to be able to control Spotify playback in the quick settings pane, but you don’t really want YouTube to take up space, you can turn it off.
Open Settings > Sound and vibration > Media and disable any apps you want to ban.
The developer preview is currently only available for the Pixel line of phones.
Andrew Hoyle / CNET
What else?
We know Google has a lot more in store for Android 12 based on what people find buried in the current preview. Features and settings that require technical knowledge to be activated. Check out this Twitter thread to see a list of currently disabled features, but XDA Developers editor-in-chief Mishaal Rahman found and showed.
Yes, there are a lot of reasons to be excited.
We will be updating this story with new features as they are officially added to Android 12. Until then, be sure to bookmark this page and check back frequently. In the meantime, be sure to check out our favorite Android 11 features. And, if you insist, here’s how to install Android 12 Developer Preview right now.
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