Android 12L beta 3 now available on Pixel phones — here’s how to get it
Withthe Pixel 6 seriesnow eligible to enter the Android Beta Program, it’s the perfect time for Google to release the third Android 12L beta. If you’ve got a Pixel 3a or later and are enrolled in the program, you should see the over-the-air update coming right now.
Betas do be betas, though, so it’s always a game of whack-a-mole in beating old bugs and encountering new ones. You can check theIssue Trackerfor active cases.
Here’s what got taken care of in build version S2B3.220205.007.A1:
Fixed an issue that prevented weather information from showing in the system’s At a glance widget. (Issue #210113641).
Fixed an issue where the screen off animation was not displayed consistently when turning off the device’s screen. (Issue #210465289)
Fixed issues that caused the system launcher to crash when attempting to enter split-screen mode using the Pin to Top option. (Issue #209896931,Issue #211298556)
Also includedin this update are changes to the testing environment.
In addition to joining thebeta program, it’s possible to sideload theOTA imageorfactory imageat the appropriate hyperlinks. Feedback can be sent via bug reports and shared more generally in ther/android_beta subreddit.
12L is meant to show off more optimizations for the tablet and foldable form factors — of which, the Pixels are not — so we’ll be waiting for when the sole sanctioned third-party device, theLenovo Tab P12 Pro, gets its third beta update.
UPDATE: 2022/02/09 17:19 EST BY STEPHEN SCHENCK
Downloads return
Almost as abruptly as it disappeared, all of Google’s Android 12L Beta 3 content is right back up, like nothing happened at all.
Over on theReddit thread where Google announced the release, the company acknowledges the hiccup, describing it as “a temporary site glitch that removed the Beta 3 documentation.” In any case, it’s all resolved now, so you can get started checking out everythingthat’s new.
UPDATE: 2022/02/09 14:55 EST BY STEPHEN SCHENCK
Beta 3 downloads removed
Just about an hour since first making its Android 12L Beta 3 factory images and OTA downloads available, Google has seemingly backtracked and pulled those releases. Eligibility for the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro is once again marked as “coming soon.” Release notes have also beenreverted to their Beta 2 state.
That said, Google’s announcement of Beta 3 is still up, so this may only be a temporary glitch — we’ll keep you updated.
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