The official version of the API is determined | Android 12L Beta 1 released

/ Maru Ahues Bouza, Director, Android Developer Relations

At the Android Developer Summit in October, we emphasized the growth of large-screen devices such as tablets, foldable devices, and Chromebooks, and how to use the new Jetpack API, tools and guides to make it easier for These devices build a good application experience. We also released the Android 12L , which is an Android 12 feature update designed for large screens.

With 12L, we optimized and polished the system interface for the large screen, making multitasking more powerful and intuitive, and improved compatibility support, so that the application has a better visual effect by default. 12L also provides developers with some new APIs, such as spatial audio and improved drag-and-drop operations, to create a better large-screen experience.

Today, we officially released the first Beta version of Android 12L for everyone to test the application and submit feedback, so as to prepare for the feature update to be released early next year. You can Android Studio in set the Android emulator to try new big-screen feature. Android 12L is also suitable for mobile phones. Just participate in the test to get Android 12L Beta 1 on supported Pixel devices. If you have participated in the Android 12 Beta test, you will automatically get the 12L update. We have partnered with Lenovo so that you can also experience Android 12L on the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro tablet. For more information about available builds and support, please go to Lenovo's official website .

Android 12L Beta 1 content list

The Beta 1 version released today includes improvements to functionality and user experience, the latest bug fixes and optimizations, and the December 2021 security patch. For developers, we completed the API early, so Beta 1 also includes the official version of Android 12L API (API level 32), updated build tools, and system images for testing. You can use these to test the performance of the application in the various functions of Android 12L.

In Android 12L, we focus on improving the user interface on large-screen devices, including notifications, quick settings, lock screen, overview, home screen, and more. For example, in a screen with a width of more than 600dp, the notification bar, lock screen, and other system interfaces will adopt a new two-column layout to make full use of the screen area.

△ Two-column layout can display more content and is easier to use

Multitasking is also more powerful and intuitive-Android 12L provides a new taskbar on the big screen, allowing users to switch to favorite applications at any time, or drag and drop applications to split screen mode. Please keep in mind that in Android 12 and later versions, users can launch any app in split-screen mode, regardless of whether the app is declared to be resizable or not. So be sure to test your application in split-screen mode !

△ Drag and drop the app to split screen mode

Finally, by improving the visual effects and stability of the compatibility mode, we have brought a better black border mode experience for users and helped apps look better by default. If your application has not been optimized for the big screen, test its performance in the new dark side mode .

More APIs and tools help build large screens

Our newly launched APIs and tools can make it easier to create a smooth experience for users when you optimize applications for large screens:

• Material mode for large screens -The new Material Design Guide can help you expand the application interface on screens of all sizes.
• Jetpack Compose with adaptive interface support -Jetpack Compose allows you to easily handle interface changes in different screen sizes or components. Please use to build an adaptive layout in Compose guide to understand the basics of this.
• window size is used to manage the user interface classification - window size classification (the Classes Window Size) is set according to the size of the window as a classification (referred to as "breakpoints") opinion guidance, help simplify the design, development And test the resizable application layout. This API will be launched WindowManager
• Activity Embedding -Through the Activity Embedding API , you can use the extra display area on the big screen to display multiple activities at a time, so as to realize the layout mode such as "list-detail", and almost no need (or only a small amount) Refactor the application. This API is available in Jetpack WindowManager 1.0 Beta 03 and later versions.
• Android Studio visual lint tool - in Android Studio Chipmunk provided in a new visual lint tool that can verify the warnings and recommendations (Layout Validation) initiative is given in terms of the interface layout, to help you identify large Potential problems in the screen layout.
• Adjustable size emulator -This is a new emulator configuration introduced with Android Studio Chipmunk, allowing you to quickly switch between four reference devices (phones, foldable devices, tablets, and desktops) to facilitate For testing.

Please be sure to check the large screen developer resource we prepared to learn more about these and more APIs and tools.

Start experiencing Android 12L on your device!

The Android 12L feature update will be officially released early next year, and now it’s time to start optimizing your application for the big screen. For developers, we strongly recommend to check the working conditions of your app in split-screen mode with windows of various sizes. If you have not optimized the app, please check its visual effects in different screen orientations and try the new compatibility mode (if applicable).

To start using the large screen function, the easiest way is to use the foldable device or tablet setup of the Android emulator. Please refer to complete setup instructions .

You can also flash Android 12L into a large-screen physical device. We have partnered with Lenovo so that you can experience the preview version of Android 12L on the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro. Currently, Lenovo provides a developer preview version 1, which will be updated in the next few weeks. Please visit Lenovo’s Android 12L preview site for complete information on available versions and support.

Android 12L will also run in mobile phones. Although the large screen feature will not appear in small screen devices, we also welcome you to experience the latest improvements in this feature update. Just complete the registration with the supported Pixel equipment , you can get the latest Android 12L Beta version via OTA update. If you have participated in the Android 12 Beta test, you will automatically get the 12L update.

For more details and release schedule of Android 12L developer website . Do not forget to submit questions and demand , we always appreciate the feedback from everyone!

You are welcome to click here to submit feedback to us, or share your favorite content or problems found. Your feedback is very important to us, thank you for your support!