If you’ve got a Pixel, you can upgrade to Android 12 right now

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Android 12 is starting to roll out to devices; after Google added it to AOSP a few weeks ago for developers to play with. The first devices getting the update are all from Google’s own Pixel line, with other manufacturers planning to update their devices later this year.

If you’ve got a Pixel 3 or newer (Pixel 3A, Pixel 4, Pixel 4A, Pixel 4A 5G, Pixel 5, and the Pixel 5A), you should be seeing the notification to upgrade. The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro will also be launching with Android 12, when available on October 28.

Samsung, OnePlus, Oppo, Realme, Tecno, Vivo, and Xiaomi are all planning to release their own tweaked versions of Android 12 later this year. That could be as early as next month, or maybe later in December.

Android 12 brings a major redesign of the homescreen, called Material You. One of the biggest things is that Android can automatically theme the icons, pulling colors from the currently used wallpaper to make a more coherent homescreen. It also lets you extend those colors to the pull-down menus, widgets, and more.

READ MORE: Amazon’s Appstore now works on Android 12 after months of blackout

Owners of Google Pixel devices are also going to get multiple Pixel-first features with Android 12, like the Magic Eraser feature coming to the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro which lets you remove unwanted objects from your pictures. We’ll likely see more features mentioned as reviews of the newest two Pixel devices trickle in.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Android 13 will reportedly let you set language preferences for each app
• Google’s Pixel 6 Pro might lure me away from the iPhone for the first time in six years
• Android 12 is rolling out now, but you may not be able to get it just yet
• Android 12 lets users play games while they’re still being downloaded
• Students are using Live Text on iOS 15 to copy each other’s notes and honestly, it’s genius

Joe Rice-Jones

Maker, meme-r, and unabashed geek with nearly half a decade of blogging experience at KnowTechie, SlashGear and XDA Developers. If it runs on electricity (or even if it doesn't), Joe probably has one around his office somewhere, with particular focus in gadgetry and handheld gaming. Shoot him an email at joe@knowtechie.com.