Google has released the first Developer Preview of Android 12 after the usual release cycle and the next version of Android promises some really exciting new features, albeit the preview builds are intended for developer testing only.

While the Android 12 preview build is still highly unstable and capable of unexpected behavior, such as the UI lags and frequent app crashes, but the worst scenario that could happen is perhaps the lose of all the data on your smartphone if not properly backed up.

Below is a detailed roadmap for the Android 12 release, which also includes when all the developer previews, public beta builds and the final release will happen.

What are the Android 12 Developer Preview Phases?



The developer previews are released during the early months and these previews focus on new features and APIs for developers testing only and for making required changes after the developers must have given their feedback.



Android 12 Developer Preview phases will run from February 2021 for development and testing environments, including SDK tools, API reference, system images, and emulators. And the early baseline build will focus on developer feedback, with new features, APIs, and behavior changes, and priority window for feedback on APIs and report on any critical issues.

  • Developer Preview 1 (February)
  • Developer Preview 2 (March)
  • Developer Preview 3 (April)


Furthermore, the Developer Preview 2 is about incremental update with additional features, APIs, and behavior changes, with developers feedback and early app compatibility testing. While the Developer Preview 3 is update for stability and performance and getting apps ready for Public Betas.

Also, it includes system images for a variety of Pixel devices, including Pixel 4 / 4 XL, Pixel 3a / 3a XL, Pixel 3 / 3 XL, or Pixel 2 / 2 XL, for developing and testing.

What are the Android 12 Public Beta Phases?



The Public Beta phase is an over-the-air update to early adopters who enrolled in the Android Beta program. It involves continuous compatibility testing and feedback from Android Beta users.

And the second beta phase is more of Platform Stability milestone. With the Final APIs open for Play publishing and the final compatibility testing for apps, SDKs, and libraries.

  • Public Beta 1 (May)
  • Public Beta 2 (June)
  • Public Beta 3 (July)


The Release candidate build is the last phase of the public beta. It includes the release of compatible updates for apps, SDKs, and libraries.

The Final Release Date



The Final release for Android 12 to AOSP and the ecosystem is scheduled for Q3 2021 and includes the release of compatible updates for SDKs, apps, and libraries, with continuous work to target Android 12 build with new features and APIs.

If you are a developer and want to get started with testing the previews, you can install Android 12 on your device, or set up an emulator for compatibility testing by checking the Android 12 update page for more details.

Android 12 Roadmap: Developer Previews, Public Betas and Final Release Date

Google has released the first Developer Preview of Android 12 after the usual release cycle and the next version of Android promises some really exciting new features, albeit the preview builds are intended for developer testing only.

While the Android 12 preview build is still highly unstable and capable of unexpected behavior, such as the UI lags and frequent app crashes, but the worst scenario that could happen is perhaps the lose of all the data on your smartphone if not properly backed up.

Below is a detailed roadmap for the Android 12 release, which also includes when all the developer previews, public beta builds and the final release will happen.

What are the Android 12 Developer Preview Phases?



The developer previews are released during the early months and these previews focus on new features and APIs for developers testing only and for making required changes after the developers must have given their feedback.



Android 12 Developer Preview phases will run from February 2021 for development and testing environments, including SDK tools, API reference, system images, and emulators. And the early baseline build will focus on developer feedback, with new features, APIs, and behavior changes, and priority window for feedback on APIs and report on any critical issues.

  • Developer Preview 1 (February)
  • Developer Preview 2 (March)
  • Developer Preview 3 (April)


Furthermore, the Developer Preview 2 is about incremental update with additional features, APIs, and behavior changes, with developers feedback and early app compatibility testing. While the Developer Preview 3 is update for stability and performance and getting apps ready for Public Betas.

Also, it includes system images for a variety of Pixel devices, including Pixel 4 / 4 XL, Pixel 3a / 3a XL, Pixel 3 / 3 XL, or Pixel 2 / 2 XL, for developing and testing.

What are the Android 12 Public Beta Phases?



The Public Beta phase is an over-the-air update to early adopters who enrolled in the Android Beta program. It involves continuous compatibility testing and feedback from Android Beta users.

And the second beta phase is more of Platform Stability milestone. With the Final APIs open for Play publishing and the final compatibility testing for apps, SDKs, and libraries.

  • Public Beta 1 (May)
  • Public Beta 2 (June)
  • Public Beta 3 (July)


The Release candidate build is the last phase of the public beta. It includes the release of compatible updates for apps, SDKs, and libraries.

The Final Release Date



The Final release for Android 12 to AOSP and the ecosystem is scheduled for Q3 2021 and includes the release of compatible updates for SDKs, apps, and libraries, with continuous work to target Android 12 build with new features and APIs.

If you are a developer and want to get started with testing the previews, you can install Android 12 on your device, or set up an emulator for compatibility testing by checking the Android 12 update page for more details.

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