Google makes it straightforward to put in the Android 16 preview with its on-line Flash Software

Google has already began work on Android 16, with the primary Developer Preview (DP1) construct of the brand new OS model now available to the public. Lately, the corporate has adopted a launch cadence of launching DP1’s in the February timeframe, making this an exception to the pattern.

According to Google, this shift in scheduling is supposed to realign Android software program improvement to run parallel with the annual {hardware} launch cycles of its accomplice OEMs.

Android 16 Developer Preview 1 brings with it a number of platform tweaks and enhancements, however it ought to be famous that this launch is primarily meant for builders searching for an atmosphere to check their apps in. Google says the steady model of Android 16 is deliberate to hit the market within the second quarter of 2025.

Which units at the moment help Android 15 Developer Preview 1?

Naturally, Pixel units obtain preferential remedy

The following devices are suitable with the primary Developer Preview construct of Android 16:

• Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Professional, Pixel 9 Professional XL, Pixel 9 Professional Fold
• Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Professional
• Pixel Fold
• Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Professional
• Pixel 8a, Pixel 7a, Pixel 6a
• Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Professional
• Pixel Pill

In the interim, the complete checklist contains solely of Google’s personal Pixel line of {hardware}. Over time, I count on extra handsets and tablets from third-party OEMs to be added into the combination.

It is fascinating to see Google’s Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Professional handsets make the minimize this 12 months — technically, the company has only guaranteed Android model updates for the handsets till October 2024. It is refreshing to see that regardless that the search big is within the clear, it is making good with house owners of older Pixel {hardware}.

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How do I obtain and set up Android 15 Developer Preview 1 on my system?

Android Flash Software makes the method a comparatively accessible one

Sadly, there is not a easy over-the-air (OTA) replace course of in place for getting Android 16 Developer Preview 1 up and working. As an alternative, you will wish to make use of Google’s Android Flash Software to get your self arrange.

Upon getting the whole lot you want, comply with these steps:

1. Allow developer choices in your telephone by navigating to Settings > About telephone > and tapping on the construct quantity seven occasions in a row.
2. From right here, you will be prompted to enter your telephone’s PIN or password to proceed.
3. Subsequent, backtrack to the principle Settings web page, after which faucet on System > Developer choices.
4. Toggle on USB debugging from the checklist of settings that seem on-screen.
5. Toggle on OEM unlocking from this similar checklist of on-screen settings.
6. Plug your telephone into your Mac or PC utilizing your USB cable.
7. In your Mac or PC, navigate to Google’s Android Flash Tool internet portal by way of your internet browser.
8. Faucet or click on on the blue Get Began button, and comply with the prompts that seem on-screen.

To provoke the method, you will want at the very least 10GB of obtainable storage in your pc. You may be requested to not work together together with your telephone except particularly prompted to by the Android Flash Software, and to not unplug your telephone out of your pc in the course of the course of.

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There’s a secondary technique for getting Android 16 Developer Preview 1 up and working in your telephone, however it’s a extra concerned course of. Doing so requires manually unlocking your bootloader, getting into Fastboot mode, extracting manufacturing facility picture recordsdata, and getting into terminal instructions on a PC or a Mac.

If you would like to comply with the steps for manually flashing manufacturing facility pictures of this primary preview construct, our sister website Android Police has published a step-by-step guide on the way to do exactly that. Simply be forewarned that this second technique is not for the faint of coronary heart.

No matter which technique you go for, the tip outcome ought to be an up-and-running construct of Android 16 in its earliest rendition. As soon as your telephone has efficiently rebooted, you will end up plopped onto the out-of-box expertise (OOBE) display screen, and from right here you may go about establishing your system. Throughout the setup, you will be requested to enter your earlier PIN or password for safety functions.

Subsequent developer preview and beta builds will arrive onto your Pixel over-the-air. Finally, as soon as the steady model of Android 16 reaches basic availability subsequent 12 months, it’s going to be mechanically pushed out to your system as nicely.

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