Android 12 This version has been one of the most notable leaps forward in the evolution of Google's mobile operating system. This version introduces everything from a complete redesign of the look and feel to new privacy tools, improved accessibility options, and a robust set of features, making it the most customizable, intuitive, and secure edition yet. Let's take a closer look at everything that Android 12 brings to transform the experience on your smartphone.
What new features and changes does Android 12 introduce?
Android 12 integrates important advances that redefine the daily use of the telephone, betting on visual customization, advanced privacy, improved performance and smarter, more accessible interaction. Below, we've detailed the best features and most relevant new features that will convince you to upgrade your device:
Material You: The Biggest Leap in Visual Personalization
The launch of Material you represents the biggest aesthetic revolution in the history of Android. Now, the system intelligently adapts the colors of the interface, menus, widgets, and notifications based on the chosen wallpaper. This affects the main and secondary tones throughout the user experience, allowing for fully customized color integration. In addition, app icons They can adopt the selected palette, achieving visual coherence between applications and system elements.
The new interface reduces the density of on-screen elements, uses more rounded edges and cards, and provides much smoother animations, resulting in a feeling of modernity and lightness in daily use. Changes such as the Always On Display (AOD) screen and the lock screen now display much smoother transitions and dynamic effects, elegantly adjusting to the content and status of your notifications.
Revamped privacy dashboard and full data control
One of the main focuses of Android 12 is to provide the user with greater security and control of your data. To do this, it presents a Privacy Panel integrated into settings, which shows at a glance recent accesses to sensitive permissions such as location, microphone y cameraYou'll see exactly which apps have accessed these resources in the last 24 hours, making it easy to detect suspicious behavior and manage permissions immediately.
added visual indicators in the status bar that alert you when an app uses your microphone or camera, preventing unwanted intrusions. Additionally, you can disable the camera and microphone directly from the quick settings, blocking its use globally and thus improving your privacy.
Another innovation is the permission to share only one approximate location, rather than the exact location. This way, apps that don't require absolute precision can operate while better protecting your personal data.
Notification bar and advanced quick settings
Android 12 reinvents the notification panel, making it clearer and more visually appealing. The background is now more translucent and the contrast improves readability, accompanying a notification bar that incorporates blur effects y new animations. The native media player highlights album art, incorporates larger controls, and you can select which apps can interact with it thanks to new configuration toggles.
In the quick settings panel, new tiles allow you to manage key functions such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and now, instant access to camera and microphone. Dark mode no longer uses absolute black, but rather a softer tone, helping to reduce eye fatigue and improve overall color integration. Accessibility tiles, such as Reduce brightness, make it easier for people with visual problems to use.
Additionally, customization allows you to reorder or add shortcuts to essential functions, such as controlling connected smart devices (home automation) and Google Pay.
Game mode and advanced game management
Android 12 responds to the demands of gamer users with the integration of a game mode. Allows you to instantly optimize settings to improve performance and battery life based on the game type. Players can access a floating control panel from any compatible game, to record your screen, change graphics quality, block notifications, and much more. The ability to start games before the download is complete It is also available for certain titles, speeding up the gaming experience.
Extended screenshots and new markup tools
Screenshots are evolving in Android 12. It is now possible to take screenshots. extended captures, covering all scrollable content, such as chats, websites, or long documents. The markup tool has been enhanced: you can edit screenshots by adding text, emojis and drawings, as well as importing images from the gallery and sharing them directly.
Gestures and accessibility: Android made easier to use
The system offers new possibilities of interaction thanks to double-tap gestures on the back on your phone, for example, on compatible Pixel devices. You can assign actions like opening the Google Assistant, taking screenshots, pausing music, or displaying notifications. One-handed mode makes it easier to operate your phone on larger screens by scrolling down the interface with a simple gesture.
Accessibility options now allow you to increase the touch sensitivity (useful if you use screensavers), enable bold text across the entire interface, or use a area magnifying glass to enlarge specific parts of the screen.
Exclusive features in Android 12 Go Edition
For entry-level mobiles, the version Android 12 Go Edition implements improvements in app opening speed (up to 30% faster) and greater autonomy thanks to the automatic application hibernation that you don't use. If an application is not used for a certain period of time, the system revokes permissions and limits its resource consumption, promoting efficiency and security. In addition, a system is included to listen to and translate text automatically and improvements in share files and apps through Nearby Share, making it faster and safer.
Customizable widgets, notifications, and lock screen
Widgets come to life with renovated design and added functionalities, highlighting the widget of conversations Ideal for having important communications just a click away. The lock screen allows you to choose new clock styles and even adjust the brightness and accessibility of home automation controls from this screen without unlocking the device.
Productivity and connectivity: features to make your daily life easier
Android 12 integrates several functions for optimize productivity and connectivity between devices:
- Smart Device Dashboard: Quick and direct access to controls for smart bulbs, plugs, thermostats, and more, from the power menu and quick settings.
- Sharing Wi-Fi even easier: You can now share your wireless network password using a QR code or with NearShare with nearby devices, simplifying the connection of guests securely and quickly.
- Digital car keys: Support for unlocking, starting, and locking certain vehicles from your mobile phone, and the ability to securely share virtual keys.
- Unlock and Sync with Chromebook: Use your Android 12 to unlock a nearby Chromebook and receive notifications and messages on both devices.
- Built-in remote control for Android TV and Google TV: Use your phone as a remote control, accessing voice search or using the full keyboard.
Other new features and tricks to get the most out of Android 12
Android 12 isn't limited to the aforementioned features. The system includes multiple tricks and utilities:
- Notification history: View old notifications even if you accidentally deleted them.
- Selecting text and photos while multitasking: Copy and share text or images from recently opened apps without having to enter them.
- Native Screen Recording: Without third-party apps, record tutorials, games, or any action on your phone with audio and the option to display keystrokes.
- Deep customization of the launcher and desktop: Change icon grid, element and font sizes, programmable dark theme, and more.
- Smart Lock and App Pinning: Keep your phone unlocked in secure locations or lock specific apps to prevent accidental shutdowns.
- Smart Battery Optimization: Proactive savings by adapting app and service usage to your usage patterns.
- Split Screen Mode and App Pairs: Work with two apps on screen simultaneously and save favorite pairs for quick access.
Accessibility and experience for all users
Other features of accessibility reinforce inclusion: you can increase or decrease the size of fonts and visual elements depending on needs, use one area magnifying glass to magnify any part of the screen, and take advantage of tools such as enhanced hearing mode, instant transcription, and image description for the visually impaired.
Android 12 Compatibility and Availability
Not all phones can update instantly to Android 12. The rollout speed depends on each manufacturer and model, although Google Pixels receive the updates first. It has gradually spread to Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus, OPPO, Realme, and other devices. You can check the list of phones compatible with Android 12 to find out if your device will receive the update.
Android 12 FAQ
- Is Material You available on all mobile devices? Mainly on Google Pixel and devices running Android. Some manufacturers adapt part of the design but not all of the color customization options.
- Is game mode compatible with all titles? The Android 12 Game Dashboard only works with games that have adopted the corresponding API.
- How do I activate the new privacy options? Go to Settings > Privacy. From there, you'll find both the panel and global camera and microphone toggles.
- Can you go back to previous versions of Android? Technically yes, although it requires advanced processes and specific tools; it is not recommended for inexperienced users.
- Do apps change after updating? Apps will continue to function, but can benefit from new APIs to better integrate with Android 12 features like Material You or new permissions.
With the arrival of Android 12, Google's operating system takes a quantum leap towards a more personalized, secure and efficient experience. The combination of a new visual design, advances in privacy, productivity tools y features for gamers and creators makes Android 12 one of the most robust and recommendable updates. If your device is compatible, the update is highly recommended due to its multitude of improvements and innovations that are fueled by years of evolution and feedback from millions of users.
