Google announced Android 12 in February this year, but that was only the developer preview of the OS missing a lot of user-facing changes. The company is expected to share more details about Android 12 and highlight its major features at Google I/O scheduled for May 18-20.

Spoiling Google's party, YouTuber Jon Prosser has given a sneak peek into some of the major changes that will be a part of the public release of Android 12.

Android 12 Will Bring a Major Visual Overhaul

Android 12 is going to feature a major visual overhaul, with Google redesigning many key aspects of the OS. The widgets experience in Android has not been improved for years now.

With Android 12, though, Google is looking to change that. The redesigned widgets look modern and sleeker and should offer improved functionality as well. There's also a new Quick Settings panel with bigger and rounded tiles.

The notification experience has also been improved, with the redesigned notification shade stacking multiple notifications from the same app to reduce clutter.

The YouTuber also shared the leaked Android 12 promo video, which gives a quick overview of all the changes the OS will pack. From the promo, it is clear that Google will change how it displays unread notification icons in the status bar.

There are some changes to the lock screen as well, with the clock getting even bigger. Other changes include a redesigned keyboard, new system animations, and more rounded UI elements. Android 12 is rumored to include a theming option, which the promo video hints at as well.

Going by the promo video, Google seems to have focused on fluidity and refinement as a part of Android 12's new design language.

The Update Will Also Focus on Privacy

Android 12 will also come with new and improved privacy features. This includes clipboard access prompts similar to what Apple debuted in iOS 14, an improved location permission dialog box, the ability to grant access to only certain types of notifications to a notification listener service, and more.

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Google recently announced some major privacy changes for the Play Store as well. It is adding privacy labels for apps and has also asked developers to stop spamming the store with misleading app titles and graphics.

Android Updates Could Finally Get Exciting

The last few Android OS updates have only focused on under-the-hood improvements and did not really introduce any major user-facing changes. With the upcoming Android 12 update, Google is making amends by introducing a major visual overhaul of the OS and in the process making Android updates exciting once again.

Google will be providing more details about Android 12 and kickstart its beta program at Google I/O, its developer conference scheduled to start on May 18.