The first public beta of Android 12 is officially available. Available for now only on Pixel smartphones, it allows to have a small preview of what the next version of Android has in store.
Google has just unveiled Android 12, the next major update to its mobile operating system, during its annual I / O conference. This Android update, already available in beta for developers for several weeks, is now installable by all users thanks to the first public beta, uploaded by Google.
As this beta version of Android 12 is still at a very early stage of development, it is best not to install it on your main smartphone. For now, only Google Pixel smartphones are eligible (Pixel 3 and above), but other devices from partner brands should also allow its installation very soon.
In the meantime, if you have a Pixel smartphone handy, you can install this first public beta of Android 12 with just a few clicks. The operation is simple and perfectly reversible. Be careful, however, the rollback to Android 11 is not without damage: if you change your mind, all the data on your smartphone will be erased.
Also to discover in video:
1. Go to the beta program
From your computer, open your web browser and go to the page dedicated to the Android beta program.
If you are not already signed in to your Google account, click on the Sign in button and sign in to your account, the same one configured on your smartphone.
2. View your eligible devices
Once logged in to the beta program page, click the View your eligible devices button.
3. Activate your device in the beta program
Logically, the Android beta program page should redirect you to the list of devices compatible with the installation of the public beta of Android 12.
Then click on the Activate button, displayed under the image of your smartphone.
The Terms of Service page is displayed. Scroll it (reading it in passing), check the mention I accept the conditions of the beta program, and then click the Confirm and Register button.
Your smartphone is now registered and can receive the Android 12 beta update. Click on the OK button and go to your smartphone.
4. Install the update
Charge your smartphone, and open Settings. Then enter the System menu, expand the Advanced Settings menu, and enter System Update.
Your smartphone should automatically check for the availability of the update. When it is detected, tap Download & Install.
Once the update has downloaded, tap Restart now to start its installation and restart your smartphone. You should now be able to test Android 12 on your device.
5. Return to Android 11
If, however, you are not satisfied with the beta of Android 12, in particular because it is unstable, it is quite possible to switch back to Android 11. Be careful, however, remember to back up all the data on your smartphone. The rollback to Android 11 is not without damage: all the data on your smartphone will be erased.
To go back, return to the Android beta program page and sign in to your Google account.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page to view your devices enrolled in the beta program, and click Deactivate.
In the pop-up window that appears, confirm your request by clicking Exit the beta program.
Your smartphone is no longer registered in the beta program, and can therefore revert to the latest stable version of Android 11. Click on the OK button and switch to your smartphone.
Now grab your smartphone, open Settings, enter the System menu, and navigate to the System Updates menu.
Then press the Check for updates button. Once your smartphone finds the latest stable Android 11 update available, tap Download & Install, then tap Resume to start the installation immediately.
When the process is complete, tap Restart now to validate the installation of Android 11 and restart your smartphone.
Since reinstalling Android 11 deletes all data from your smartphone, it restarts on the device’s configuration screen. You will need to completely reconfigure your device and restore your backed up data to use it again.