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

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 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, nevertheless it ought to be famous that this launch is primarily meant for builders in search of an surroundings 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 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 intervening time, your complete checklist contains 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 combination.

It is attention-grabbing to see Google’s Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Professional handsets make the lower this yr — technically, the company has only guaranteed Android model updates for the handsets till October 2024. It is refreshing to see that despite the fact 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 gadget?

Android Flash Device 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 a substitute, you will wish to make use of Google’s Android Flash Device to get your self arrange.

After you have every little thing you want, comply with 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 checklist of settings that seem on-screen.
5. Toggle on OEM unlocking from this similar checklist 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 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 accessible storage in your laptop. You may be requested to not work together along with your cellphone except particularly prompted to by the Android Flash Device, and to not unplug your cellphone out of your laptop throughout the course of.

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

If you would like to comply with the steps for manually flashing manufacturing facility photos of this primary preview construct, our sister web site Android Police has published a step-by-step guide on methods 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 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 may go about establishing your gadget. Through 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 normal availability subsequent yr, it will be mechanically pushed out to your gadget as effectively.

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