Android 12 has a controversial change — and some people are really upset

android 12 developer preview
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Android 12 has introduced a whole host of changes, but not all of them are popular among users. One of those is the change to the power menu — the menu that appears when you hold the power button — which is drastically different to its counterpart in Android 11.

The main complaint is the removal of the G Pay and Home device controls within the power menu itself. Now, it's just a three-button menu with Power Off, Reset, Emergency. The aforementioned controls were moved to Quick Settings.

android 12 beta 3 power menu

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Some users and outlets are saying the power menu is ruined, but even some Googlers have chimed in on the issue. Over on Google's issue tracker, someone raised this "problem" and a Googler responded:

"If this is intentional, our product is doomed."

android 11 power menu

Android 11's power menu (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Talk about hyperbole. While saying the power menu is "ruined" is quite a stretch, I'm on the fence about this one. I don't mind the controls being moved to Quick Settings — especially since I've never used the G Pay controls in the power menu and just tap my phone to a reader — but I do miss easy access to Home device toggles, like my lights.

Take what you will from this. Perhaps it was change for change's sake, or maybe Google thought those controls were better suited for Quick Settings. If nothing else, I liked having them tucked away in the power menu to keep them out of sight unless I needed them. Like I said, though, I'm not hung up on this, but maybe I'm in the minority.

Android 12 is still in beta form, so it's possible that Google might reverse this change before the final release. There seem to be quite a few people upset by it, so who knows.

TOPICS
Jordan Palmer
Phones Editor

Jordan is the Phones Editor for Tom's Guide, covering all things phone-related. He's written about phones for over six years and plans to continue for a long while to come. He loves nothing more than relaxing in his home with a book, game, or his latest personal writing project. Jordan likes finding new things to dive into, from books and games to new mechanical keyboard switches and fun keycap sets. Outside of work, you can find him poring over open-source software and his studies.

Read more
Finding a song using Google Gemini on a Galaxy S25 Ultra
One UI 7 just fixed a massive problem on Samsung Galaxy phones
OnePlus 13
OnePlus is ditching this iconic feature — and there's serious backlash
android 16 logo on a samsung galaxy smartphone
Android 16 could come with this key navigation change — and another new volume slider
Google Pixel 4a vs. OnePlus Nord
Google’s battery update is reportedly tanking the Pixel 4a — here’s what we know
Android Auto refreshed UI example
Google Maps annoys drivers after latest Android Auto update
Gboard app logo on mobile phone resting on a keyboard
Google Gboard redesign has already angered users — and I can see why
Latest in Android Phones
Google Pixel 9a next to Galaxy A56
Google Pixel 9a vs. Samsung Galaxy A56: Which sub-$500 phone should you get?
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 review.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 design just teased in new cases leak — and the outer display is huge
Motorola Razr Plus 2024 cover display
Motorola Razr Plus (2025) leaked specs hint at bigger upgrades — here's what we know
Google Pixel 9 with Amazon Spring Sale deal tag
The Google Pixel 9 is at its lowest price ever for Amazon Spring Sale — 30% off now
Amazon Spring Sale Galaxy S25
Amazon’s Spring Sale drops the Samsung Galaxy S25 to $734 — its lowest price ever!
OnePlus 13 back, leaning against blue wall
OnePlus 13T could come with an even bigger battery than OnePlus 13 — this is incredible
Latest in News
Bill Gates in 2019
Bill Gates just predicted the death of every job thanks to AI — except for these three
NYTimes Connections
NYT Connections today hints and answers — Wednesday, March 26 (#654)
Gemini screenshot image
Google unveils Gemini 2.5 — claims AI breakthrough with enhanced reasoning and multimodal power
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 review.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 design just teased in new cases leak — and the outer display is huge
Google Chrome
Chrome failed to install on Windows PCs, but Google has issued a fix — here's what happened
nyc spring day AI image
OpenAI just unveiled enhanced image generator within ChatGPT-4o — here's what you can do now