Finally, we are officially enjoying the final Android 12 Beta, as Google recently released the Android 12 Beta 5 on all consumers. This is the last beta release before the launch “in the coming weeks”.
With this release of Android 12 Beta 5, Google is providing new builds for the Pixel 3, Pixel 3a, Pixel 4, Pixel 4a, and Pixel 5, as well as the new Pixel 5a. To get the update users to need to join the Android Beta program. But to those who prefer doing things manually, there are a factory image and OTA files as well.
There are no many new features with this release since this is a release candidate build, rather Google is solving some bugs and introducing some “finishing touches” on everything before stable Android 12 arriving. All of the big changes should have been inside Beta 4, which pushed Android 12 to Platform Stability.
How to install Android 12 Beta 5
Release date: September 8, 2021
Build: SPB5.210812.002
Emulator support: x86 (64-bit), ARM (v8-A)
Security patch level: August 2021
Google Play services: 21.26.21
The easiest way to grab the Android 12 Beta 4 build is by joining the Android Beta program. The Android Beta program lets users add their supported Pixel devices to whatever new build of Android that Google is testing and get those sent to the user’s phone like any normal over-the-air-update.
To sign-up for the Android 12 Beta, go to the Android Beta site here.
If you are already in the Android Beta program, you will get this update over the air, so start checking by heading into Settings>System>System update>Check for update.
Factory Image / OTA Files
If you chose not to wait for the over-the-air beta update, one can always manually flash a factory image or OTA files. Not that this process is that hard, but it does require ADB and a little action in a command prompt. These files are almost always posted and installed quicker than an over-the-air update, so you decide what to do. Your boy will be flashing an OTA file, as it doesn’t factory wipe your phone.
To download the latest Android 12 factory images or OTA files, Google has them here and here.
Android 12 is almost here!
