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. In recent times, the corporate has adopted a launch cadence of launching DP1’s in the February timeframe, making this an exception to the development.

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 companion OEMs.

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

Which gadgets at the moment assist Android 15 Developer Preview 1?

Naturally, Pixel gadgets obtain preferential therapy

The following devices are appropriate 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 meanwhile, all the record includes solely of Google’s personal Pixel line of {hardware}. Over time, I anticipate extra handsets and tablets from third-party OEMs to be added into the combo.

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

Associated

Google reportedly aims to take on the iPad by merging ChromeOS and Android

Google is reportedly planning emigrate ChromeOS over to Android to create one unified working system.

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

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 operating. As a substitute, you will need to make use of Google’s Android Flash Software to get your self arrange.

After getting every part you want, observe these steps:

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

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

Associated

Google doesn’t care about tablets again: the Pixel Tablet 2 is reportedly dead

The Pixel Pill 2 has reportedly been canceled, creating uncertainty about the way forward for the Pixel pill sequence.

There’s a secondary methodology for getting Android 16 Developer Preview 1 up and operating in your cellphone, but it surely’s a extra concerned course of. Doing so requires manually unlocking your bootloader, getting into Fastboot mode, extracting manufacturing unit picture recordsdata, and getting into terminal instructions on a PC or a Mac.

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

No matter which methodology you go for, the top consequence ought to be an up-and-running construct of Android 16 in its earliest rendition. As soon as your cellphone has efficiently rebooted, you will end up plopped onto the out-of-box expertise (OOBE) display, and from right here you possibly can go about organising your gadget. In the course of 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. Ultimately, as soon as the secure model of Android 16 reaches normal availability subsequent yr, it’s going to be mechanically pushed out to your gadget as properly.

Associated

How I set up Android 15’s Private Space to keep sensitive apps hidden

A brand new function in Google’s newest Android replace provides you a discrete place to maintain non-public apps, untouchable by the remainder of your cellphone.