Android 12 kills font and icon shape options in Material You theming menus
What you need to know
- Users have noticed that certain customization options have been missing from the Android 12 beta.
- A comment on the Google Issue Tracker appears to confirm the removal of these features.
- Android 12 beta is approaching platform stability, meaning everything will be final.
Android 12 is close to final, but some users aren't too happy with one change that's been made to remove certain customization options in favor of others.
XDA-Developers spotted a thread in the Google Issue Tracker, highlighting the lack of Custom Styles in the Pixel Wallpaper & Styles menu. The complaint states that customization options "have been reduced to almost none" and that the change "destroyed a lot of appeal of pure Android and Google phones."
Others have chimed in, agreeing with the complaint, but a comment from Google may have provided the final word on the issue:
It seems that Google is aiming for a more unified and consistent look for Android 12, something that we noted in our guide on how to customize your phone's theme in Android 12. In that sense, it's not too surprising that Google is removing these options, but, understandably, users aren't too happy with the change.
Android is known for its customization, allowing owners of the best Android phones to more or less add their own flair. While the new Material You theming helps clean up Android's overall look, it unfortunately comes at the expense of more granular customization options introduced on Pixels in Android 10.
With Android 12 Beta 3 already out and the platform reaching stability with the next beta, it seems unlikely that Google would reintroduce these features before the final release. Still, it's possible that they could return at some point if enough people complain.
Get Android 12 first
The early-adopter phone
The Google Pixel 5 is one of the best value flagship smartphones. It has exceptional cameras, fast updates and is usually the first to gain the latest features arriving on Android. If you're an early adopter, this phone will be the best choice to try Android 12 before most people.
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Derrek is the managing editor of Android Central, helping to guide the site's editorial content and direction to reach and resonate with readers, old and new, who are just as passionate about tech as we are. He's been obsessed with mobile technology since he was 12, when he discovered the Nokia N90, and his love of flip phones and new form factors continues to this day. As a fitness enthusiast, he has always been curious about the intersection of tech and fitness. When he's not working, he's probably working out.