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Android 12L, the big-screen updated version of Android 12, is now rolling out after months of testing, landing as part of today's Feature Drop update for Pixels and coming soon to other tablets and foldables from companies like Samsung, Lenovo, and Microsoft.

If you haven't followed along with our Android 12L feature coverage, the very short version is that most of the changes were meant to address issues larger devices face when running Android. That includes UI tweaks covering a range from the notification shade to launcher grid sizing, plus some tweaks to multitasking, as well as a new taskbar that behaves a little more like Chrome OS — Google's unifying its interfaces across compatible screen sizes. Here's how Android 12L is different from Android 13.

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Google (and build numbers) confirm that the March 2022 Pixel Feature Drop update was built on Android 12L, so Pixels are the first phones to get it — as is typical for Android version releases. Still, Pixel owners won't see most of the benefits, since the changes for this minor update (which some are calling Android 12.1) mostly address devices with bigger displays.

The update also has plenty of bug fixes for Pixels, including some benefits Pixel 6 owners can't enjoy until the update finally rolls out for them later this month.

So far, there's no precise schedule on when devices that can actually use Android 12L's changes might get it. Google does say that Samsung, Lenovo, and Microsoft plan to bring Android 12L to their devices later this year, implying that tablets and folding phones from those companies will get it, but no specific dates were offered.

Feature drop confirmed as Android 12L

Google has explicitly confirmed to us that the March Feature Drop update for Pixels is based on Android 12L, as has a separate look into build numbers.

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Ostensibly a senior editor, in reality just some verbose dude who digs on tech, loves Android, and hates anticompetitive practices. His only regret is that he didn't buy a Nokia N9 in 2012. Email tips or corrections to ryne at androidpolice dot com.