Android 12: official release dates, list of supported devices and how to speed up the update

Android 12 has become one of the most anticipated versions of the mobile OS from Google, offering users a radically updated design Material You, improved performance and new privacy features. But when exactly will your device receive this update? The answer depends on the smartphone model, region and even telecom operator. In this article, we will analyze the official release schedules Android 12 for different brands, learn how to check the availability of firmware and tell you how to speed up the update process without risk to the device.

It is important to understand that even after the official announcement of the update, its distribution occurs in waves: first, flagship models are updated, then mid-segment devices, and budget smartphones can receive Android 12 with a delay of several months or remain without it at all. Manufacturers like Samsung or Xiaomi often modify the standard firmware for their shells (One UI, MIUI), which also affects the timing.

If you do not want to wait for automatic updates, we will show legal ways to install Android 12 manually - from participation in the beta app before using the manufacturer's proprietary utilities. And for those who have already updated, here is a list of key new products that are worth trying first.

Official release dates for Android 12 from Google

Source code Android 12 was presented Google October 4, 2021 —that’s when the update became available for smartphones rulers Pixel (starting from Pixel 3). However, for other devices, the timing depended on the manufacturers' policies. Here are the key milestones:

• 📅 February 2021 - release of the first beta version for developers.
• 📅 May 2021 - public beta app for Pixel and some other devices brands.
• 📅 September 2021 - final stable version for Pixel.
• 📅 October 2021 - March 2022 - mass distribution among other manufacturers.

For owners Google Pixel the update arrived almost immediately after the release, but smartphone users Samsung, Xiaomi or OnePlus had to wait from several weeks to six months. The reason is the need to adapt the firmware to proprietary shells and test stability.

Update schedule for popular brands (2026)

In 2026 Android 12 is no longer the current version (it was replaced by Android 13 i Android 14), but many devices still receive this update - especially budget models or smartphones released in 2020-2021. Below is an updated chart for key manufacturers:

Brand	Models (examples)	Android 12 status	Notes
Samsung	Galaxy S20/S21, Note 20, A52/A72	✅ Available from 2021–2022	The update comes via Samsung Smart Switch or by air (Settings → Software update).
Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco	Mi 11, Redmi Note 10 Pro, Poco X3 Pro	✅ Available for most models	Used shell MIUI 13 (based on Android 12).
OnePlus	OnePlus 9/9 Pro, Nord 2	✅ Available from the end of 2021	Update via OxygenOS (path: Settings → System → Updates).
Realme	Realme GT, Narzo 30 Pro	⚠️ Partially (depending on the region)	In some countries the update has not yet been released.
Motorola	Moto G100, Edge 20	✅ Available from mid-2022	The update comes in waves by model.

⚠️ Attention: If your model is not listed in list, check support on the manufacturer's official website. Some budget smartphones (for example Redmi 9A or Samsung Galaxy A12) may never receive Android 12 due to hardware limitations.

How to check if the update is available on your smartphone

You should not rely on update notifications - they may arrive with a delay. It is better to check for availability Android 12 manually. Here is a universal instruction for most devices:

1. Open Settings (gear icon in the application menu).
2. Go to section About phone (or About device).
3. Tap on item System update (names may vary: Software update, Update Center).
4. Click Check for updates.

If an update is available, the system will prompt you to download and install it. is 1.5–3 GB, so connect to Wi-Fi in advance and make sure that the battery charge exceeds 50%.

Allow yourself with time (the process will take 20–40 minutes)

Connect to a stable Wi-Fi

Charge your phone to at least 60%

Make a backup copy of important data

Close all background applications-->

⚠️ Attention: If after checking the system says "No update", but you are sure that your model should receive it, try the following steps:

• 🔄 Restart your phone and check again.
• 📶 Connect to another Wi-Fi network (sometimes operators block updates).
• 🔧 Reset your network settings in: Settings → System → Reset → Reset network settings methods: Settings → System → Reset → Reset network settings.

How to speed up getting Android 12: legal ways

If the update is delayed but your device officially supports Android 12, you can try the following methods:

1. Participation in the beta app

Some manufacturers (for example, Xiaomi or OnePlus) allow users to test beta versions of firmware. To do this:

1. Register on the official one. brand forum (for example miui.com for Xiaomi).
2. Find the beta testing section for your model.
3. Submit an application and wait for approval (may take up to 7 days).

⚠️ Attention: Beta versions may contain errors that affect the stability of the phone. Do not install them on your main one device.

2. Manual update through proprietary utilities

Brands like Samsung i Xiaomi offer PC applications for forced installation of updates:

• 🖥️ For Samsung: app Smart Switch (download from official website).
• 🖥️ For Xiaomi: utility Mi Flash Tool (requires unlocking the bootloader).

Instructions for Samsung Smart Switch:

1. Install the app on your PC.
2. Connect your phone via USB (enable USB debugging in the settings developer).
3. In the app, select Update → Update.

What to do if Smart Switch does not see the update?

If the app says that your software version is is relevant, but you know that the update is out, try:

1. Update the utility itself Smart Switch to the latest version.

2. Connect to the PC via another USB cable (preferably the original one).

3. c Settings → Accounts and archiving → Backup and recovery and disable automatic archiving (sometimes this blocks updates).

3. Installation via recovery

For advanced users, there is a way to install the update manually through recovery mode (recovery).To do this:

1. Download the official firmware Android 12 for your model from the manufacturer's website (for example, samfw.com for Samsung).
2. Place the firmware file (usually in the format .zip) to the root of the phone's internal memory.
3. Reboot into recovery (the combination of buttons depends on the model, for example, Power + Volume Up for Samsung).
4. Select item Apply update from ADB or Install update from storage.

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect firmware can turn your phone into a brick. Make sure that the firmware file exactly matches your device model (check in Settings → About phone → Model).

What to do if Android 12 does not arrive: possible reasons

If your smartphone meets the requirements, but the update still does not arrive, the reasons may be the following:

• 🌍 Regional restrictions: Manufacturers often update devices first in Europe or the USA, and then in other countries. Samsung may delay updates for Russia or India by 1-2 months.
• 📶 Blocking by the operator: If the phone was purchased from a mobile operator (for example, MTS or Beeline), the update may be delayed due to additional tests.
• 🔋 Insufficient memory: Installation Android 12 requires at least 3–5 GB of free spaceClear the cache and unnecessary files.
• 🛠️ Modified firmware: If you have previously installed custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), official updates may not arrive.

If the problem is with the operator, try:

1. Remove the SIM card and check the update without it.
2. Reset network settings (Settings → System → Reset → Reset mobile network settings).

New Android 12 features: what to try after the update

After installation Android 12 pay attention to the following new items:

1. Design Material You

The system automatically adjusts the interface color palette to the wallpaper. To configure:

1. Go to Settings → Wallpaper. and style.
2. Select a wallpaper - the system will offer 4 color scheme options.
3. Tap on the palette you like to apply it to all system applications.

2. Privacy panel

Now you can see which applications use the microphone, camera, or real-time location:

• Open Settings → Privacy → Privacy panel.
• Turn on the switch at the top of the screen.
• Green indicators in the upper right corner of the screen will indicate access to sensors.

3. Quick actions (Quick Tap)

The function allows you to launch actions by double tapping the back of the phone (works on Pixel and some devices of other brands):

1. Go to Settings → System → Gestures → Quick touch.
2. Enable the option and select an action (for example, launch Google Assistant or screenshot).

4. Improved notifications

Now notifications are grouped more logically, and important messages can be pinned to the top of the list:

• Swipe left on a notification and tap the 📌 icon to pin it.
• To change the priority of notifications, hold your finger on the message and select Settings → Severity level.

💡 Tip: After updating, check the section Settings → Applications → Special access. Here you can limit the background activity of applications, which will have a positive effect on battery life.

Frequent problems after updating to Android 12 and their solutions

Unfortunately, even official updates sometimes lead to failures. Here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

Problem	Possible. reason	Solution
Rapid battery drain	Background optimization has not yet adapted to the new version.	Go to Settings → Battery → Adaptive battery and enable the option. Wait 2-3 days. the system self-optimizes.
Heating of the phone	Indexing files after updating or application conflict.	Restart the phone If this does not help, check the activity of applications. in Settings → Battery → Battery usage.
Gestures do not work	Reset gesture settings after update.	Reconfigure gestures in Settings → System → Gestures.
Errors in applications	Incompatibility of older versions of applications with Android 12.	Update applications via Google PlayIf the error persists, clear the cache (Settings → Applications → [name] → Storage → Clear cache).
No sound in calls	Crash in audio settings after update.	Check permissions for the application Phone v Settings → Applications → Phone → Permissions. Restart the device.

⚠️ Attention: If after the update the phone starts to slow down or overheat, perform a reset to factory settings (Settings → System → Reset → Delete all data). First make a backup via Google Drive or Samsung Cloud.

How roll back to the previous version of Android?

If Android 12 is unstable, you can return to Android 11, but this requires a complete flashing of the device. To do this:

1. Download the official firmware. data-i="279">for your model. Android 11 for your model.

2. Install it via Odine (for Samsung) or Fastboot (for Pixel/Xiaomi).

3. Reset the data.

⚠️ Warning: Rolling back will reset all data and may void the warranty!

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions about Android 12

My phone is not on the list of supported devices?

Yes, but this requires unlocking the bootloader and installing custom firmware (for example, LineageOS 19based on Android 12The process is risky and includes the following steps:

1. Unlock the bootloader via fastboot oem unlock (For Xiaomi you need to get permission on the website Mi Unlock).
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP).
3. Flash the firmware via recovery.

⚠️ Risks: loss of warranty, unstable operation, possible "brick" device. We recommend doing this only for experienced users.

How long does it take to install Android 12?

The process consists of several stages:

• Download: 10–30 minutes (depending on Internet speed).
• Preparation: 5-10 minutes (the system checks the update file).
• Installation: 15-25 minutes (the phone will reboot 1-2 times).
• Optimization: 5-15 minutes (after the first turn on).

All you need 30–60 minutesDo not interrupt the process and do not turn off the phone!

Will my Samsung Galaxy A51 receive Android 12?

Samsung Galaxy A51 (model SM-A515F) received Android 12 as part of the update One UI 4.0 in November 2021 - January 2022 years. If your device has not yet been updated:

1. Check the firmware region in Settings → About phone → Software information (the region code should be, for example, SER for Russia).
2. If the region is not suitable, you can change it via Samsung Smart Switch (data reset required).

If the update has not arrived, most likely your model is no longer supported.

Is it possible to install Android 12 on a smartphone with 2 GB of RAM?

Technically Android 12 requires a minimum 2 GB RAM, but in practice:

• 🔹 On devices with 2 GB the system will work very slowly (application freezes and crashes are possible).
• 🔹 Manufacturers often do not release updates for such models due to poor optimization.
• 🔹 Exceptions: some budget smartphones Xiaomi (for example, Redmi 9A) received Android 12, but with reduced functionality.

Recommendation: if you have a smartphone with 2 GB of RAM, it’s better stay on the current version of Android.

How to check what version of Android is installed on your phone?

To find out the current version:

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to About phone (or About device).
3. Find item Android version or Version Software.

The version will be indicated there (for example, Android 12) and build number (for example, SP1A.210812.016).