After months of beta testing, Android 12 is finally here. The update brings improvements and changes to Android OS, such as the new Material You UI design, scrolling screenshots, and quick wifi switching. If you’re itching to see what’s new on your own Android device, here’s how to get started.
Which phones support Android 12?
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The great thing about Android is it supports so many different smartphones. Unlike Apple’s ecosystem, you don’t have to stick with one brand in order to use Android; rather, you can pick and choose as you please, freeing you up to try new types of smartphones whenever it’s time for you to upgrade.
Unfortunately, that universality doesn’t seem to apply to software launches; Google is reserving first dibs on Android 12 to its own Pixel lineup of smartphones. Talk about nepotism.
Of course, not every Pixel is eligible for the Android 12 upgrade. Google dropped software support for the original Pixel and Pixel XL, as well as the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. Those phones have permission to join the non-Android 12 club alongside flagships from Samsung and OnePlus (until those phones inevitably get Android 12, of course).
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The official Android 12 Pixel list is as follows:
- Pixel 3
- Pixel 3 XL
- Pixel 3A
- Pixel 3A XL
- Pixel 4
- Pixel 4 XL
- Pixel 4A
- Pixel 4A 5G
- Pixel 5
- Pixel 5A
- Pixel 6
- Pixel 6 Pro
Google has said that other eligible Android devices will receive the Android 12 update in the coming months, but offered no official timeline for any.
How to install Android 12 on your phone
With your compatible Pixel—or, eventually, your compatible Android phone—open your phone’s Settings app, go to System > System update, and follow the on-screen instructions to download and install Android 12. If you don’t see the update, it’s likely your phone isn’t eligible for it yet.