While Android tablets have been around since the beginning of time, the user experience has been poor, with very few exceptions. This is because Google never optimized its OS to work on large screens. Samsung and other manufacturers took matters into their hands and created Android versions with features such as DeX mode. However, Android tablets are still a bit out of reach for most people…until now. Google may have realized that its operating system was behind the times when it announced Android 12L, a feature drop that promises will optimize Android for large-screen devices. What is Android 12L? How does it differ from regular Android 12? And how do you install the large-screen OS on your device?
What is the difference between Android 12L and Android 12, what are they?
Android 12L is a tablet OS that focuses on tablets. It has better multitasking support, redesigned widgets and other optimizations that maximize screen real estate. Android 12L, on the other hand, is optimized for smartphones and tablets.
Notifications are updated
Two columns will be displayed on devices with large screens. On the left you’ll find Quick settings tray and the Notification shade. The Notification shade used to be a single column. It was identical to the one you’d find on a smartphone. On a large-screen display, a vertically-split notification shade is logical.
Multitasking has changed
Android 12L includes a taskbar that makes multitasking much easier. This feature is automatically enabled on tablets and foldable phones. To enable the taskbar on your smartphone, go to the Developer options . You can launch apps in multitasking or split-screen mode from the taskbar located at the bottom. Split-screen mode was a slow and tedious process in older Android versions, unless you had OneUI skins or MIUI that made multitasking easier.
Adaptive design
Android 12L does more than just update the OS. It also includes adaptive design which allows you to view apps side by side instead of loading a page. The Settings app is a great example of adaptive design in action. The Settings app shows the primary fields on the left side of the screen. When you tap on one of these settings, additional options will appear on the right side. Android 12L’s lock screen allows you to display the security pattern on one side of the display instead of across it like on a phone. This is great if you have a large tablet and cannot immediately place it down to input a pattern or passcode.
App developers can take advantage large screens with adaptive design. This allows them to show what would otherwise be a new page alongside the original content.
App compatibility simplified
Android 12L makes a significant leap in app compatibility. Android 12L offers compatibility mode for older smartphone apps. Apps can no longer scale and stretch to fill the screen. Compatibility mode allows any app to run in a windowed view with the aspect ratio that it can handle. This gives users an option when an app isn’t working. Android 12L makes all apps resizable, and allows multitasking to other apps that were not allowed before. Instagram is one example of an app that does not support split-screen or windowed multitasking.
Home screen improvement
Android 12L brings tweaks to your home screen in order to make the most of large tablet and foldable displays. The Android 12L home screen offers denser icon grids, which were an option on many Android customROMs and manufacturer skins. This allows you to adjust the number of icons and, perhaps most importantly, the size of the widgets that you can fit onto the screen.
Android 12L-supporting devices
Google released Android 12L to Pixel devices with the March 2022 feature update. Other manufacturers such as Nokia, Microsoft, Samsung, and Lenovo are also expected to get the Android 12L update. Although the March drop supports all devices up to the Pixel 2, the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro updates came a few months later.
Already available from Lenovo, the Android 12L Developer Preview is available to its Tab P12 Pro. Nokia has stated that the update will be available to its T20 tablet.
How do I install Android 12L
Google started rolling out Android 12L to Pixel devices in March. If you don’t have an update, head to Settings -> System Update to check for any new . Depending on the model of your Pixel phone, you should have your build number correspond to one or more of these:
- Pixel 3a (XL), SP2A.220305.012
- Pixel 4 (XL), SP2A.220305.012
- Pixel 4a: Sp2A.220305.012
- Pixel 4a (5G),: SP2A.220305.012
- Pixel 5: SP2A.220305.012
- Pixel 5a (5G),: SP2A.220305.012
- Pixel 6: SP2A.220305.013.A3
- Pixel 6 Pro: SP2A.220305.013.A3
If your Pixel has not received the update and you are unable to wait, we have a guide that will help you manually flash the Android 13 beta. To deviate, you will need to download the 12.1.0 OTA Package for your Pixel from Google at Step two. Make sure to use the correct filename once you reach Step 5. You should have a Pixel device with an Android 12L feature drop installed after you follow the tutorial.
As we mentioned, the Android 12L upgrade will be available to other manufacturers in 2022. We will keep this article updated as more devices receive the update.
Android 12 is still the best.
Android 12L is a new shiny OS that everyone wants. But, let’s face it, unless you are using a tablet, or foldable, you will probably want to avoid Android 12L. Check out these top tips to help you become an Android 12 power user.
