Android 12 seemingly returns to stability in third beta release, but w/ some minor issues [Updated]
Ben Schoon
- Jul. 14th 2021 3:04 pm PT
@NexusBen
0
The first Android 12 Beta worked out relatively well. There were no major bugs to speak of outside of one that prevented users from accessing the power menu easily. With
Google Pay functional
, it seems as though there were no major reasons to skip. After a second beta released caused many issues, though, you’d be justified in being wary of the third. Luckily, Android 12 Beta 3 bugs appear to be rare.
Stability seems to have largely returned
Our last update to this article alongside the Beta 2 release found that, for some reason, things had pretty much fallen apart behind the scenes. Apps were crashing left and right, installation errors were plaguing many, and there were just far more bugs than we’d seen in any previous Android 12 release.
Luckily, this doesn’t appear to be the case in Android 12 Beta 3, as the update seems to be fairly stable in our testing so far. No one on the
9to5Google
team, regardless of device, has reported any
major
issues. Everything we’ve encountered so far seems to just be minor issues that don’t impede daily usage. Take that with a grain of salt, of course, as the beta has only been available for about 5 hours at this point.
Installation time still takes a while
While installations aren’t failing this time around like they were on beta 2, the latest Android 12 release is still taking its sweet time to fully install. Whether using an OTA file to manually sideload the update or installing it on-device using the beta program, expect it to take a while for the update to finish its installation completely.
UI errors
In some parts of the OS, we’re currently seeing some UI rendering issues. This seems to only be a problem with dark mode and, when it strikes, it leaves some text boxes essentially unreadable. It’s a fairly minor issue that only seems to be affecting the Settings app in certain areas, but it’s something we definitely hope Google will patch in the next release.
Another odd UI error we’re seeing on multiple devices is in the app drawer, where the Google Search box is rendering as a rectangle. This is, again, a minor issue and based on our findings seems to be tied to the on-device search features Google is in the process of adding.
We also spotted a weird issue that caused a double volume slider when adjusting call volume, but little UI bugs like this are to be expected in beta releases, and nothing we’ve seen so far breaks anything beyond usability in Android 12.
So far, so good
We can’t guarantee you’ll have a flawless experience on Android 12 Beta 3, but in early testing, stability seems as solid as you’d hope and bugs are few and far in between. You should always be ready for problems when using software that isn’t technically finished, but if you’re just dying to try out the new OS, Beta 3 seems like as good of a time as any to get in on the fun.
How to get the Android 12 Beta on Google Pixel
Are you having issues or noticing bugs in the Android 12 Beta on your Pixel? Drop a comment below and let us know. We’ll continue to update this article with other bugs that seem widespread as the betas drop
over the coming months
.
What’s new in Android 12
:
Android 12 Beta 3:
Android 12 Beta 3: ‘Material You’ color options, themed icons arrive on Pixel Launcher
Android 12 Beta 3: Pixel Scrolling Screenshot doesn’t work like Samsung’s, can’t do websites
Android 12 Beta 3: Internet pop-up menu adds ‘turn off Wi-Fi’ button, higher Settings menu prominence
Android 12 Beta 3: Pixel Launcher adopts more colors, ‘At A Glance’ is now ‘Live Space’
Android 12 Beta 3: Google Camera 8.3 arrives with Material You colors and tweaks
Android 12 Beta 3: You can now disable Google Assistant corner swipe activation
Android 12 Beta 3: Chrome gets a slick new link-sharing option from multi-tasking page
Android 12 Beta 3: Google may add a more obvious location indicator to match camera/mic
Android 12 Beta 2:
Android 12 Beta 2: Wallpaper-based ‘Material You’ color themes have arrived
Android 12 Beta 2: Media controls get streamlined redesign w/ Material You colors
Android 12 Beta 2: Google’s Privacy focus arrives with camera/mic shutoffs, dashboard, more
Android 12 Beta 2: New toggle lets you quickly reset your Wi-Fi connection
Android 12 Beta 2: Wallet toggle comes to lock screen for even faster NFC payments
Android 12 Beta 2: Quick settings adds Google Pay, Home shortcuts, and power button
Android 12 Beta 2: Volume slider ditches the comically huge bubble design
Android 12 Beta 2: Power menu has been replaced with an entirely new design
Android 12 Beta 2: ‘At A Glance’ widget and app text on Pixel homescreen is subtly bolder
Android 12 Beta 1:
Android 12 Beta 1: Google’s design overhaul is here, but most of the features are missing
Android 12 Beta 1: Power menu is blocked by Assistant, but an upcoming button will fix that
Android 12 Beta 1: ‘Alarm’ is now a tile in Quick Settings in light of broader redesign
Android 12 Beta 1: Charging your phone now sends a wave of color across the display
Android 12 Beta 1: Clipboard notifications are coming and toasts now show their source
Android 12 Beta 1: You can now access ‘Game Mode,’ but it’s not done yet
Android 12 DP3:
Android 12 DP3: Settings menu redesign is live by default w/ revamped bounce animation
Android 12 DP3: Rounded ‘bubbly’ corners now used with all key UI elements
Android 12 DP3: All apps now show the same splash screen while loading [Gallery]
Android 12 DP3: ‘At A Glance’ widget on Pixel homescreen is subtly bolder
Android 12 DP3: Pixel Launcher adds second 4×4 grid size with smaller app icons
Android 12 DP3: Widgets get revamped w/ new menu, recommendations, forced rounded corners
Android 12 DP3: ‘Verified links’ open directly in apps instead of showing ‘open with’ dialog
Android 12 DP3: Conversations widget appears for some, uses your wallpaper colors
Android 12 DP3: Playing audio now crossfades when switching player
Android 12 DP3: Dark mode finally extends to toast messages w/ design tweak
Android 12 DP2:
Android 12 DP2: Dark theme on Pixel gets even lighter
Android 12 DP2: One-handed mode is live and appears to be fully working
Android 12 DP2: Widgets list redesign and tweaks to lockscreen PIN, pattern entry
Android 12 DP2: Picture-in-picture rework brings new gestures, stashing
Android 12 DP2: WiFi sharing is now always in light mode
Android 12 DP2: New device search bar in the works for Pixel Launcher, possibly others
Android 12 DP2: ‘Game dashboard’ to add quick access to recording, YouTube streaming, more
Android 12 DP2: People Space widget takes shape, reminds you to talk to your friends and family
Android 12 DP2: Google Pay surprisingly already works
Android 12 DP2: Swiping down on the bottom edge opens notification shade
Android 12 DP2: Media player UI now uses system accent color
Android 12 DP1:
Android 12 DP1: Magnification feature now offers a useful floating window
Android 12 DP1: You can now enable or disable specific app quick settings media controls
Android 12 DP1: Notifications redesigned w/ bigger icons, dedicated snooze button
Android 12 DP1: Markup tool now lets you add emoji and text to screenshots
Android 12 DP1: Nearby Share can now send WiFi passwords to your guests
Android 12 DP1: Settings app gets revamp w/ new search bar
Android 12 DP1: Lockscreen and notification shade media player gets minor UI redesign
Android 12 DP1: Scrolling screenshots are here, but disabled for now
Android 12 DP1: Pixel 5 readies ‘Double tap’ gesture, doesn’t work yet
Android 12 DP1: Privacy toggles can block camera and microphone with a tap
Android 12 DP1: Pixel Launcher gains new 4×5 grid option
Android 12 DP1: Notifications to gain ‘Automatic’ option for whether or not to alert
Android 12 DP1: ‘Display cutout’ menu now lets you hide Pixel 5, 4a hole punch
Android 12 DP1: Dark theme on Pixel is no longer AMOLED black
Android 12 DP1: ‘Reduce Bright Colors’ button quickly tones down screen brightness
Android 12 DP1: Magnification feature now offers a useful floating window
Android 12 DP1: You can now edit any image with the Markup tool meant for screenshots
Android 12 DP1: Navigation gestures now work instantly in fullscreen apps
Android 12 DP1: Lockscreen readies redesign w/ larger clock
Android 12 DP1: Here’s a look at One-handed mode in action [Video]
Abner Li
,
Damien Wilde
,
Kyle Bradshaw
, and
Dylan Roussel
contributed to this article.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.
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About the Author
Ben Schoon
@NexusBen
Ben is a writer and video producer for 9to5Google.
Find him on Twitter @NexusBen. Send tips to schoon@9to5g.com or encrypted to benschoon@protonmail.com.
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