Updating to Android 12 for smartphones Realme is one of the most anticipated releases for owners of devices of this brand. The new version of the operating system brings not only visual changes within the design system Material You, but also improvements in performance, security, as well as exclusive functions for Realme UI 3.0. However, release dates for updates often vary depending on the model, region and even telecom operator.

In this article we will look at which models Realme will officially receive Android 12when to expect releases for specific devices, and how to update correctly - both through OTA and manually. You will also learn what to do if the update is delayed, and what pitfalls may arise when upgrading to a new version of the OS.

Official list of Realme models supporting Android 12

The company Realme traditionally provides updates to the new version of Android for most of its devices released over the past 2-3 years. However, not all models receive the update at the same time. Below is the current list of devices for which support is confirmed or expected Android 12:

  • 📱 Realme GT 5G / GT Neo / GT Master Edition —flagship models with priority updates.
  • 📱 Realme 8 Pro / 8 5G / 8i —mid-budget devices with guaranteed support.
  • 📱 Realme 7 Pro / 7 5G —2020 models that received a delayed update.
  • 📱 Realme X7 Max 5G / X7 Pro —devices with processors MediaTek Dimensity.
  • 📱 Realme Narzo 30 Pro 5G / Narzo 30A —budget models with limited support.

It is important to consider that for some devices (for example, Realme 6 or Realme C-series) updating to Android 12 may be the last major update. It is also worth noting that Realme UI 3.0 (the Android 12-based shell) may be released later than the OS kernel itself.

⚠️ Attention: Update release dates may shift due to internal tests or discovered bugs. Always check the latest information in the official Realme Community or via Settings → Software update.
📊 Which Realme model are you using?
Realme GT
Realme 8/8 Pro
Realme 7/7 Pro
Realme Narzo
Other model

Android 12 release schedule for different Realme models

The company Realme usually follows a phased release of updates: first, flagship models receive the update, then mid-budget models, and lastly, budget devices. Below is the approximate release timeline Android 12 for various series:

Model Update status Approximate release date Regions
Realme GT 5G Already available October–November 2021 Global
Realme 8 Pro Stable version December 2021 – January 2022 India, Europe, Russia
Realme 7 Pro Beta testing February–March 2022 Restricted regions
Realme X7 Max 5G In development April–May 2022 Asia, India
Realme Narzo 30 Pro Expected June 2022 or later India, Southeast Asia

For models older than 2020 (for example, Realme 6 Pro or Realme X50 Pro), updating to Android 12 may be the last major update before switching to support only security patches. If your model is not listed in the table, check its status on the official website Realme or in the user community.

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If your device did not receive the update within the specified period timing, try manually checking it via Settings → Software update → Settings (⚙️) → Manual update. Sometimes servers Realme give out updates gradually, and checking again can speed up the process.

How to update Realme to Android 12: step-by-step guide

The process of updating to Android 12 on smartphones Realme can be done in two ways: through automatic OTA update or manually (if the update has not yet arrived on your device). Let's consider both options.

Method 1: Over-the-air (OTA) update

  1. Connect the device to stable Wi-Fi network (the update can take 2–4 GB).
  2. Go to Settings → Software update.
  3. Click Check for updates. If an update is available, a notification will appear.
  4. Click Download and wait until the download completes.
  5. After downloading, click Install and confirm the reboot.

Method 2: Manual installation via Recovery

If the OTA update does not arrive, you can install the firmware manually:

Download the official firmware from the Realme website|Check battery charge (minimum 60%)|Save important data (the update does not erase files, but it’s better to be safe)|Connect the device to the PC (to transfer the file)

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  1. Download the firmware file (format .ozip) for your model from official website Realme.
  2. Place the file in the root folder of the internal memory (not in folders!).
  3. Turn off the phone, then press Power + Volume Downto enter Recovery Mode.
  4. Select Install from storage → specify the downloaded file → confirm the installation.
  5. After completion, select Reboot.
⚠️ Attention: Do not interrupt the installation process! If the phone is stuck on the logo Realme longer than 15 minutes, try to force reboot it (press and hold Power for 10-15 seconds). If the problem persists, you may need to reset to factory settings.

What's new in Android 12 for Realme: key features

Android 12 along with the shell Realme UI 3.0 brings a number of significant changes that concern both design and functionality. Here are the main innovations that are worth noting:

  • 🎨 Material You: adaptive theming of the interface for wallpaper (colors of icons, menus and notifications change).
  • 🔒 Privacy: microphone/camera access indicators in the upper right corner, a quick panel for disabling application permissions.
  • 📱 Performance optimization: reduced latency when switching between applications, improved RAM management.
  • 🔄 New gestures: advanced swipe settings, including the ability to disable the bottom navigation bar.
  • 📊 Game Space 3.0: improved game mode with FPS monitoring, notification blocking and cooling optimization.

Also in Realme UI 3.0 there are new widgets, improved transition animations and a function FlexDrop - mini-windows for multitasking (analog Picture-in-Picture, but with enhanced capabilities).

Which models will not receive all the functions of Android 12?

On devices with processors Snapdragon 7xx or Helio Gxx some functions (for example, Material You or Game Space 3.0) may not work fully or be missing due to hardware limitations. Also on budget models (for example Realme C21), the update may come without a shell Realme UI 3.0, but only with basic changes to Android 12.

Problems after updating to Android 12 and how to solve them

Like any major update, Android 12 can bring not only improvements, but also bugs. Here are the most common problems that users encounter Realmeand how to fix them:

  • 🔋 Battery drain quickly: After the update, the system may index files and optimize applications, which temporarily increases power consumption. Give your phone 2-3 days to adapt. If the problem persists, check application activity in Settings → Battery.
  • 📶 Mobile network problems: Reset network settings in Settings → SIM cards and mobile networks → Reset network settings.
  • 🔊 Sound distortion: clear the application cache Bluetooth i Phone v Settings → Applications.
  • 📱 Interface freezes: try disabling animation in Settings → Accessibility → Remove animation.

If none of the methods helped, run reset to factory settings (don't forget to make a backup copy!). To do this, go to Settings → Additional settings → Recovery and reset → Reset all settings.

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Before resetting the settings, be sure to save your data! Use Realme Cloud or third-party services (for example, Google Drive) to backup contacts, photos and messages.

How to roll back from Android 12 to Android 11 if you didn’t like the update

If after installation Android 12 you have encountered critical bugs or are simply unhappy with the new version, you can return the previous firmware. However, this process has risks:

  • 🚨 Loss of all data (even after backup, some settings may not be restored).
  • 🔓 Possible loss of warranty if the rollback is performed in an unofficial way.
  • 📱 Not all models support downgrade through standard means.

To rollback you will need:

  1. Download the official firmware Android 11 for your model from the website Realme.
  2. Unzip the file and place it in the root folder of the phone's memory.
  3. Log in Recovery Mode (as described above) and select Install from storage.
  4. Confirm installation and wait for the process to complete.
⚠️ Attention: Rolling back to a previous version of Android may block receiving future OTA updates! Before the procedure, make sure that your model has stable firmware Android 11 with support Realme UI 2.0.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

My Realme does not see the update to Android 12. What should I do?

If your model supports Android 12, but the update does not arrive, try:

  1. Restart the phone and check again.
  2. Clear the application cache Update Software in the settings.
  3. Manually download the firmware from the official website and install via Recovery.
  4. Wait - sometimes updates come out in waves across regions.
Will there be Android 12 on Realme 6 or Realme 5 Pro?

For Realme 6 update to Android 12 confirmed, but may be the last major update. Realme 5 Pro (2019) will not officially receive Android 12 - the maximum version for this model remains Android 11.

Is it possible to install Android 12 on Realme via custom firmware?

Yes, but it's risky! Custom firmware (for example LineageOS or Pixel Experience) can provide Android 12 on unsupported models, but:

  • You will need to unlock the bootloader (data reset).
  • Possible bugs with the camera, sensors or mobile network.
  • The warranty will be void.

We recommend using this method only for experienced users.

How to check the version of Android and Realme UI on your phone?

Go to Settings → About phone. There will be indicated:

  • Android version (for example, 11 or 12).
  • Realme UI version (for example, 2.0 or 3.0).
  • Build number (for example, RMX3360_11_A.15).
Is it worth upgrading to Android 12 if the phone starts to slow down?

If your device is already experiencing performance problems on Android 11, the update may worsen the situation. In this case:

  • Try clearing the cache and unnecessary files through Settings → Memory.
  • Disable animation in the developer settings (Settings → About phone → Build number (7 times) → Animation).
  • If all else fails, consider rolling back to Android 11 or resetting the settings.