The ecosystem of mobile operating systems is constantly evolving, and the release of each new software version brings users not only a fresh design, but also critical improvements in security and performance. Android 12, released by Google at the end of 2021, was one of the most significant updates in recent years, introducing a revolutionary personalization system Material You and greater control over app access to data. For many smartphone owners, this release was a turning point, allowing them to extend the life cycle of the device by a year or two without the need to purchase new equipment.
However, the transition to a new software version is not available to all devices, since manufacturers strictly limit the list of supported models depending on the hardware and update strategy. In this article, we will look in detail at which ones are phones support Android 12 officially, how to independently check for an update for your gadget, and what are the nuances of installing firmware on popular brands. You will find out why some flagships of the previous generation received an update, while budget models were left without the attention of developers.
It is worth understanding that support Android 12 is not just a change in the version number, it is a fundamental change in the operation of the system, requiring certain processor resources and the amount of RAM. If your smartphone is not on the official compatibility list, attempting to install custom firmware may result in unstable operation or complete loss of warranty. We will look at the official ways to obtain the update and warn about the risks that users face when trying to bypass system restrictions.
Official list of compatible devices from Google and Samsung
Google traditionally provides the longest support for its line of devices Pixel, and Android 12 is no exception. Absolutely all models, from the original Google Pixel to the series Pixel 6have received an official update, although for the oldest models this process could take longer or require a more careful approach due to battery wear. Owners of devices Pixel 3, 3a, 4, 4a, 5 and the entire sixth series can be confident in the stability of the new OS, since it was tested on this particular hardware.
The situation with the company Samsung looks somewhat different, but is also quite optimistic for users of flagship and mid-budget lines. The Korean giant has included almost all devices in the Galaxy Sseries in its support list for Android 12, starting with the S10model released in 2019, as well as many models in the Note and Aseries. This means that even three-year-old smartphones at the time of the update's release received access to new security and interface features, which is an excellent indicator for the industry.
⚠️ Attention: The presence of a model in the compatibility list does not guarantee immediate receipt of the update. Samsung and other manufacturers release firmware in stages depending on the region and telecom operator, so the update may arrive with a delay of several weeks to several months.
For users of devices in the series Galaxy A it is important to know that Android 12 support applies to models released no earlier than 2020, such as as A51, A71, A52, A72 and their modifications with the prefix 5G. Older budget models, as a rule, remain on version Android 11 or 10, since their processors do not have enough performance to run the new interface smoothly One UI 4, which is based on the twelfth version of Android.
☑️ Checking Samsung's readiness for the update
Support Android 12 in Xiaomi devices, Redmi and Poco
The company's policy Xiaomi regarding software updates has always raised many questions among users, but with the release of the shell MIUI 13based on Android 12, the situation has become more transparent. The flagship models of the series Mi 10, Mi 11 and their various versions (Ultra, Lite, Pro) were among the first to receive the update, demonstrating excellent optimization and stability of the new functions. The owners of these devices were the first to appreciate the improved work with notifications and the new widget screen.
In the sub-brand segment Redmi and Poco the list of supported devices is much wider, but there are also limitations. Mid-price range models, such as Redmi Note 10 and Note 10 Pro, as well as Poco X3 Pro and Poco F3, were included in the update schedule and successfully switched to Android 12. This made it possible to extend the relevance of these popular “folk” smartphones, which were initially positioned as affordable solutions with a good margin performance.
However, you should exercise caution when waiting for an update for entry-level devices. Many budget smartphones Redmi series 9 and older models Poco M may not receive official firmware with Android 12 due to limitations of chipsets MediaTek or entry-level ones that do not pass Google certification for the new OS versions. In such cases, users often have to be content with updating only the security level within the old version of Android. Snapdragon entry-level devices that are not certified by Google for the new OS version. In such cases, users often have to be content with only security level updates within the old version of Android.
Before updating Xiaomi, be sure to unlock the bootloader if you plan to install the global version of the firmware over the Chinese one, otherwise the device may be blocked.
It is important to note that for Xiaomi devices, the update process often depends on the region of the firmware. Global versions (Global ROM) receive updates later than Chinese ones (China ROM), so users whose imported devices run on Chinese software can see the coveted number 12 in the settings much earlier than others.
Smartphones from OnePlus, Realme and other manufacturers
The brand OnePlus, historically famous for fast delivery of the latest versions of Android, has confirmed support for Android 12 for a wide range of its devices, including models released two years before the OS release. The flagship series OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 9, as well as their more accessible versions Nord and Nord 2, received a shell OxygenOS 12, which in this generation has undergone significant visual changes, becoming more similar to the interface. ColorOS from Oppo.
The company Realme, which is a subsidiary of BBK Electronics, also actively implemented Android 12 in its devices called shell Realme UI 3.0. The lucky list included models Realme 8, Realme GT and various versions of the series Narzo. Users of these smartphones note that the update has brought significant improvements in the operation of the gesture system and privacy management, which was previously a weak point of budget shells.
Other manufacturers, such as Motorola and Nokia, approach the issue of updates more selectively. Motorola updated theirs to Android 12 flagship models of the Edge 20 series and some devices of the Gseries, such as G60 and G40 Fusion. At the same time, Nokia, positioning itself as a brand with pure Android, has updated models starting from Nokia 5.4 and Nokia 8.3 5G, however, the speed of their updates often leaves much to be desired compared to competitors.
⚠️ Attention: When updating OnePlus and Realme smartphones through the menu Recovery Mode, make sure that the firmware file matches your model. Flashing a version for another region may result in the loss of the NFC function or inoperability of banking applications.
Owners of devices of these brands should regularly check the updates section in the settings, as mailings often occur in waves. If your device is officially supported, but the update does not arrive, this may mean that your batch of devices has not yet received the update, and you just need to wait.
How to check if your smartphone can be updated
Before looking for ways to install a new operating system, you need to reliably find out whether your specific device supports Android 12. The most reliable and safest method is to check through the standard settings menu of the smartphone itself. Manufacturers put information about the availability of updates there, and if the server sees your device and offers a new version, then it is fully compatible with your hardware.
To perform the test, you need to go to the settings menu and find the section responsible for the system. The path may vary slightly depending on the brand, but the logic remains the same for all Android devices. After going to the correct section, the system will automatically contact the update server and check for a new firmware version for your serial number.
If the system reports that you are using the latest available version, but you are sure that your device should support Android 12, the update may not have reached your region yet. In this case, you can use official PC utilities, such as Samsung Smart Switch or Xiaomi Mi Flash Tool, which sometimes see updates earlier than the smartphone itself over the air.
- 📱 On Samsung: go to
Settings → Software update → Download and installation. - 🤖 On Xiaomi/Redmi: open
Settings → About phone → MIUI versionand click on the logo. - 🔵 On Google Pixel: select
Settings → System → System Update. - 🔴 On OnePlus: go to
Settings → Software update.
There are also third-party sites and databases, such as Android Updates Tracker, where enthusiasts collect information about the update status for each model. However, you should rely on them with caution as the information there may be incomplete or out of date. The official communication channel "smartphone-server" is always the priority source of truth.
What to do if the update button is inactive?
If the button is inactive, check for free space in memory. Android 12 requires a significant amount of space to unpack files. Also try clearing the Google Play Services application cache in the application settings.
Popularity table for models that support Android 12
For clarity, we have compiled a table that includes the most popular smartphone models from leading manufacturers that are guaranteed to have received an official update to Android 12. This list will help you quickly navigate if you are planning to buy a used device or just want to make sure the relevance of your gadget. Please note that the table shows basic models, but their modifications (Pro, Plus, Ultra) also support updating.
| Manufacturer | Device series | Minimum model in the series | Update status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pixel | Pixel 3 | ✅ Full support | |
| Samsung | Galaxy S | Galaxy S10 | ✅ Full support |
| Xiaomi | Mi / Redmi Note | Mi 10 / Note 10 | ✅ Full support |
| OnePlus | OnePlus / Nord | OnePlus 8 / Nord | ✅ Full support |
| Motorola | Edge / Moto G | Edge 20 / G60 | ⚠️ Selective support |
Selective support status means that the update was not released for all models in the line, but only for those that have sufficient RAM and a powerful processor. Owners of Motorola devices and some budget lines of other brands should carefully check the specific model with the official list on the manufacturer’s website.
Risks of installing unofficial firmware and custom ROMs
If your smartphone is not on the official list of supported devices, you can find many installation offers on the Internet custom firmware (Custom ROM) based on Android 12, such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience. This path opens up access to new functions even on old devices, but is associated with serious risks, which every user who decides to take such a step should be aware of.
The main danger is the loss of warranty and the possibility of turning the smartphone into a “brick”. The process of unlocking the bootloader and installing third-party recovery (for example TWRP) requires strict adherence to the instructions. The slightest mistake, for example, flashing a file from another modification of the processor, can lead to irreversible damage to the software, which will be impossible to fix at home.
⚠️ Attention: Installing custom firmware irreversibly triggers Knox on Samsung devices, which permanently disables Samsung Pay, Secure Folder and some banking applications, even if you return the stock one firmware.
In addition, unofficial assemblies often have security problems. Unlike Google-certified versions, custom ROMs may not pass integrity checks, causing banking apps, Google Pay, and DRM-protected streaming services such as Netflix in high quality to stop working. Before deciding to take this step, weigh the pros and cons. Play Integrity API, which will cause banking apps, Google Pay, and DRM-protected streaming services such as Netflix in high quality to stop working. Before deciding to take this step, weigh the pros and cons.
An official update guarantees stability and security, while custom firmware provides a new version of the OS at the cost of losing the warranty and functionality of banking applications.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to update the phone to Android 12, if it is not on the official support list?
Technically this is possible through the installation of custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience), but this requires unlocking the bootloader, technical skills and carries the risk of loss of warranty, data security and operation of banking applications. This is not recommended for the average user.
Why is my supported phone still not updated to Android 12?
Updates are rolled out in stages depending on the region, carrier, and device batch. This is done in order to identify possible critical errors on a small group of users before the mass release. Typically the wait is from 2 weeks to 2 months.
Will the Android 12 update delete my data and applications?
When updating over the air (OTA) through settings, all data, photos and applications are saved. However, before any major update procedure, it is highly recommended that you back up your important data to a computer or cloud in case of unexpected failures.
Will Android 12 slow down my old smartphone?
On devices that are on the lower end of the system requirements, the new OS may run a little slower due to heavier animations and background processes. On flagships and mid-segment devices released after 2019, performance usually remains the same or even improves due to optimization.
How to roll back to Android 11 if I don’t like the twelfth version?
It is officially impossible to roll back the software version down through the settings. This requires connecting to a computer and using special software for flashing (Odin for Samsung, Mi Flash for Xiaomi), and all data from the phone will be completely deleted.