Google is pulling the plug on security updates for Android 12 after four years, leaving older devices without further patches unless they’re updated to a newer OS version.
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Updates are crucial to the health and overall performance of your Samsung Galaxy phone, no matter when it was made. This complete guide will give you all the information you need about Samsung’s Android and security updates, timelines, and more.
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You might have slapped the stable Android 13 or even a previous Beta update on your Google Pixel and are missing out on a few things or not having the best experience. Luckily, so long as you’re not using the Pixel 6/6 Pro or 6a you can downgrade your Android 13 build back to a stable version of Android 12 if you encounter any major problems or just don’t like the current incarnation.
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Google debuted the ability to have themed icons on the homescreen in Android 12, designed to help go all-in on Material You theming. Now, in Android 13, third-party apps can get in on the fun of themed icons; here’s an ongoing list of apps that support the functionality.
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Every application open on Android 12 is accompanied by a launch animation to make “startup a more consistent and delightful experience,” and the experience can be further enhanced by an animated icon on the splash screen as seen with Google’s apps.
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As teased earlier this month, Android 12L is now rolling out to the Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2 with more than a few visual inspirations from Windows 11.
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Android 12 is finally available for Chromecast with Google TV (4K) and available out of the box on the HD model too. But it’s an update that doesn’t bring a ton of user-facing features. One addition in Android 12 for Chromecast with Google TV is frame rate matching, but in its current state, it’s not all that useful.
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Chromecast with Google TV is finally set to get an Android 12 update, and the new Chromecast (HD) gives us an early look at what the platform will bring to Google’s big-screen experience. Here’s everything new in Android 12 for Google TV on Chromecast.
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After launching on the cheaper HD model earlier this month, Android 12 is now rolling out to the Chromecast with Google TV 4K released in 2020.
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Android 12 is still a very new version of the platform, but Samsung is launching the update for its Galaxy devices less than a month after Google’s own Pixel phones. More devices will be updated over the coming months, and Samsung has confirmed a preliminary list of devices that will be updated.
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It’s actually happening. After nearly two years and very few updates during its lifespan, the Chromecast with Google TV is getting updated to Android 12.
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Announced over three years ago at I/O 2019, Google today rolled out the final Pixel 3a and 3a XL update. May 2022 was officially the cut-off date for guaranteed Android version and security updates, but Pixel phones have historically gotten one more release after that.
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Google launched Android 12L back in March, but it’s only just making its way to existing devices. Lenovo is now the first to announce an Android 12L tablet with the “Lenovo Tab P11 (2nd Gen)” coming next year.
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Android 13 for the Pixel 6, 6 Pro, and 6a prevents you from returning to Android 12 due to a security vulnerability. That’s still not changing for end users, but Google is now providing a path for developers to return to Android 12 on the Pixel 6 for app testing.
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At the start of this month, Google updated the Android distribution numbers to reveal that Android 12 is running on 13.3% of devices.
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Android 12 brought with it the arrival of Material You, a one-step switch to theme your entire phone, from accents to apps, all based on your wallpaper. Creating custom looks for Material You colors, though, requires some assistance, and you can now do it for free with Repainter.
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In most cases, Google rolls out the latest Android security patch to Pixel phones on the first Monday of every month. That did not occur this morning, and it looks like the August Pixel update has been delayed.
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With the Pixel 6a officially hitting store shelves and arriving for the first customers today, Google is releasing a day one update.
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The July security patch is rolling out to Pixel (4/XL, 4a, 4a 5G, 5, 5a, 6, and 6 Pro) phones today in what should be one of — if not — the last Android 12 updates before the next major version of Google’s OS launches.
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Google’s 2018 flagship phones received their last guaranteed update in October 2021, but there was one more release this February. The Pixel 3 and 3 XL were surprisingly updated today with VoLTE roaming support.
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After three months of beta testing, Android 12 QPR3 hit stable on Monday and is now more widely rolling out to Pixel phones. That said, one small bug with Android 12 QPR3 sees widgets often reload when you return to the homescreen following a rotation change.
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Today marks the last guaranteed update for Google’s midrange phones from 2019 following its launch three years ago at I/O. However, similar to past generations, Google will be releasing one last update for the Pixel 3a and 3a XL.
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With the launch of QPR3 and the June Pixel Feature Drop today, the Android 12 Beta Program is ending with users not needing to take any further action.
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In addition to bringing Android 12 QPR3 and the quarterly Feature Drop, the June security patch fixes 35 issues for the Pixel 4 to Pixel 6 Pro.
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