Should I upgrade to Android 12?

[Jazuyo]

I have a pixel 5 and I must admit I'm kind of scared to update usually cause I'm a big big major believer that if it ain't broke don't fix it. Also from the past I've seen other users complain about updating their phone software was a big mistake due to battery life, app inconsistency, loss of certain features etc. So I just gotta question is updating my Pixel 5 to Android 12 worth it? Or should I just keep enjoying my 11 like I been doing going on a year?

 

[cbreze]

I’ve always upgraded starting always with the first beta release and I’ve never had any regrets ever. Currently on the 12L 1st beta.
IMHO android 12 is one of the best new upgrade for android ever. You can stay on 11 all you want but you’ll never know what 12 is like in day to day usage. There are some changes that some are reporting they really hate like the lock screen clock when there are no notifications the clock gets really big and is stacked. If that bothers you then don’t update. Certainly not a deal killer IMO.
I’ve noticed certain apps have not been made compatible yet, don’t know why, sometimes devs just stop caring and move on to something new. My analog clock faces app no longer works. Is it a deal breaker? Heck no, google released some updated clocks I like better anyway. Some have reported issues with android auto, others say it’s fine, never use it myself so can’t comment.
So, bottom line, you will notice some things that are different from 11 that you might not like and others you might grow to like and still others you will like right away. I’m running a 4A and it is noticeably smoother than android 11 ever was. If your happy with 11 then stick to it, if you’re up for some new and exciting features then jump on in the waters fine. Check out you tube vids upsides and downsides of android 12 and they will walk you through everything. One thing to remember there is no going back as far as I know. And who the heck would want to anyway.
My daughters 4A updated automatically and she called me and said she hated it, said it was all jerky and janky. I said reboot it and give it a day then reboot it again and call me. She said she loves it now. Love that kid.
To me android is an experience and I can’t fully get it if I don’t always update to the latest. Oh , and battery life is the best it has ever been. Good luck

 

[B. Diddy]

I'm on Android 12 on my Pixel 6 Pro (of course) and Pixel 3a XL. It's been fine on both of those phones, but my wife's Pixel 5 might be having some signal issues, which may be related to the buggy December update. So you may want to wait to do the update until after Google has worked out the kinks and reissues the December update (or, more likely, just waits until January).

 

[J Dubbs]

I'm on Android 12 on my Pixel 6 Pro (of course) and Pixel 3a XL. It's been fine on both of those phones, but my wife's Pixel 5 might be having some signal issues, which may be related to the buggy December update. So you may want to wait to do the update until after Google has worked out the kinks and reissues the December update (or, more likely, just waits until January).

Yep sometimes waiting can be your friend I'm not going to setup my Z Flip 3 until the stable release of 12 is out for it and working good. Right now Samsung's put a hold on it because of issues. I'm not the beta tester type.... in fact I see any signs of trouble I head for the hills lol.

On a side note, Android 12 is working perfectly on my pixel 3XL, personally I think it's the best Android version to date Smooth, fast, beautiful animations with some cool new features, and an overall polished high end feel. Plus I like the change-up of look, refreshing since I've been staring at the same basic look since Android 6

 

[Soox]

Ahoy! Is it appropriate to interpret from this thread that it is "relatively safe" to continue using Android 11 on my Pixel 2 XL? I landed here by searching the forum before asking my question. I know my phone has not had any Android update since Nov 2020. I am running Norton Security, if that makes any difference...

 

[Jazuyo]

Awesome thanks for the feedback. I'll probably play with Android 11 at the best buy playing with the pixel 6 but I think I'll stick to my Android 11.

 

[korab84]

Just upgrade to Android 12 and stop with the whining...it's the same story like should I upgrade from Windows 7 to 10.
Just do it and get used to the visual and functional changes

 

[B. Diddy]

Ahoy! Is it appropriate to interpret from this thread that it is "relatively safe" to continue using Android 11 on my Pixel 2 XL? I landed here by searching the forum before asking my question. I know my phone has not had any Android update since Nov 2020. I am running Norton Security, if that makes any difference...

Welcome to Android Central! I think it's reasonably safe, but wouldn't plan on using it for more than another year or so (at least not as your primary device).

 

[Soox]

Welcome to Android Central! I think it's reasonably safe, but wouldn't plan on using it for more than another year or so (at least not as your primary device).

Thanks Diddy! I can plan to get a new phone next year...

Happy to keep using mine at the same time a pity I can only make it last so long given the security update cliff... It is still running fine. Bah!

Maybe there will be a secure custom ROM with novel security updates by then...though i have no idea what I'm talking about

 

[ras47]

My Pixel 5 is running Android 12 without issue. It's snappy and reliable. Great battery life, stable, consistently strong network signal on both WiFi and 5G. I hesitated to make the jump from Android 11 but decided to take the plunge. My primary phone was/is an iPhone 13 Pro Max - I've always been a Mac/iPhone guy since the day I hung up my BlackBerry.

Now I'm 50/50 with my iPhone and Pixel, and I'm leaning more and more toward Android. When I installed Android 12 I basically set the phone up as new, using my Gmail account to import contacts/calendar/pictures/notes. No regrets, no issues.

 

[J Dubbs]

Thanks Diddy! I can plan to get a new phone next year...

Happy to keep using mine at the same time a pity I can only make it last so long given the security update cliff... It is still running fine. Bah!

Maybe there will be a secure custom ROM with novel security updates by then...though i have no idea what I'm talking about

As long as you're not a heavy free/random app downloader, and don't do a ton of surfing on random sites clicking lots of strange links (which no one should do anyway, security updates or not), a lack of security updates doesn't mean you need to dump a perfectly good working phone that you like.

Most of your security is the decisions you make, by not clicking on unknown links in text messages and emails, or in websites you don't recognize. I always use phones past their security update support... but I'm also pretty selective about what apps I download, along with the other stuff I mentioned.

Android's sandbox setup is very secure by default.... and all apps will keep getting updates through the play store, like chrome, to keep them up to date. And play protect is always current, and constantly scans your phone for any malware etc.

You're safer than you think

 

[anon(40376)]

I'll installed 12 the first day available and had a few hiccups on some apps. Those apps eventually updated and all is working ok. There are some changes some won't like, but that is all subjective. I have learned to like the features.
If not wanting to update; many will get a software such as Norton to add security after the security updates are finished.

 

[criminal_bg]

wonder when samsung plans to roll out android 12 to the A71, as of now i see it will make it to the A71 5G but not the 4G model which i have. so how long will i have to wait. considering samsung did promise atleasat 3 major updates. i got one when i went from 10 to 11,

my issue is upgrading and then certain things dont work. specially with midrange devices, its like they are always left for last to get the new software updates. up to a day my edge lighting plus feature never came back for my A71 when i upgraded to android 11.

so thats one thing to consider. certain added features may no longer work on the new version. so i always giv it a couple of months. lets it float out there and users will pick up on the bugs and the company will send a fix.

but more love needs to be given to midrange phones when updates are being done.

 

[Scott337]

As long as you're not a heavy free/random app downloader, and don't do a ton of surfing on random sites clicking lots of strange links (which no one should do anyway, security updates or not), a lack of security updates doesn't mean you need to dump a perfectly good working phone that you like.

Most of your security is the decisions you make, by not clicking on unknown links in text messages and emails, or in websites you don't recognize. I always use phones past their security update support... but I'm also pretty selective about what apps I download, along with the other stuff I mentioned.

Android's sandbox setup is very secure by default.... and all apps will keep getting updates through the play store, like chrome, to keep them up to date. And play protect is always current, and constantly scans your phone for any malware etc.

You're safer than you think

Well said! That's the exact same thing I tell family & friends that ask my advice.

 

[J Dubbs]

Well said! That's the exact same thing I tell family & friends that ask my advice.

Great minds as they say

 

[Grabber5.0]

I have to say, after upgrading my Pixel 5, I really hate the new cartoonishly huge buttons that replace the old quick actions. Especially three taps instead of one to toggle WiFi.

 

[Mbun2]

Don't get 12 if you can help it. Some apps don't work. My phone restarted for no reason.

 

[rvbfan]

And then you have the ones like me, that haven't had a problem that wasn't my own doing and actually like what Google has done.
Happy pixel 6 owner.