How to Install Android P Developer Preview on Pixel Devices
Mar. 8, 2018While we previously covered that the Android P Developer Preview Could Be Released in Mid-March, the news was indeed true, and Google has released the Android P Developer Preview For Pixel and Pixel 2 Phones. The new update brings a refreshing design, with features focused towards the developer community. While the company states that the current build is only for developers to upscale their apps to the latest API, interested users can also flash the image on their devices.
Note: I’m installing the Android P Developer Preview 1 on my Pixel 2 XL using a Windows laptop but the process should be similar if not identical for other devices.
Some Things to Know
If you have enrolled your device in the Android Beta program, it’s important to note that beta updates are not supported in the Android O Developer Preview. Also, the process requires you to unlock the bootloader of your device, which will delete all user data.
Flashing the system image will alsodelete user data, so I’ll recommend you to backup your Android devices. You can check out our detailed article on the different ways tobackup an Android device. Also, since this is a very early developer build, you can expect a lot of bugs and issues.
First, you will need to download the Android P Developer Preview system image for your device. You can download the images from the official Google websitehere. Android P Developer Preview is available for thePixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, and Pixel 2 XL only.
You will need to haveADB and Fastboot toolson your Windows PC or Mac. You can download ADB and Fastboothere.
Before you get started with the process, you will have to make sure that “OEM Unlocking” and “USB Debugging” are enabled inSettings->Developer Options.
To flash the Android P system image, you will need to first unlock your device’s bootloader. To do this, first, connect your Nexus or Pixel to your PC or Mac. Then,head to the path where ADB and Fastbootare installed on your computer. Here,open Command Prompt(press hold Shift and right click to get the option) orTerminaland enter the following commands:
You will get a prompt on your device asking you to “Allow USB Debugging“. Tap on “Ok”.
You should then see a few prompts on your device. Accept it and after a while, your device will be completely wiped and the bootloader will be unlocked.
Now that you’ve unlocked the bootloader of your device, let’s flash Android P on your Pixel:
Many users are reporting unsuccessful installations of the direct flashing of the Android P Developer Preview on their devices. As such, you can sideload the OTA update file of the Android P images via ADB on your device. This method also preserves your data and is personally suggested by us.
First, download the OTA .ZIP file for your device from the links mentioned below:
Next up, reboot your device to the bootloader menu using the commands mentioned previously. Use the volume down method to browse till “recovery” and then press the power button. Your device will boot to an Android logo with an exclamation mark. To jump past this, press Volume Up and Power at the same time. Now, using the volume buttons, highlight “apply update from ADB” and press the power button.
Now, enter the following command from your PC:
That’s it. The update process should begin, and once done, Android P should be installed on your device.
SEE ALSO:Get Android P’s ‘Markup’ Native Screenshot Editor on Any Android Device
Well, that’s how you can install Android P on your Nexus or Pixel smartphone. As I mentioned above, the build is still in a very early development phase, so don’t flash it on your primary device. So, have you installed Android P Developer Preview yet? If you have, do let us know how you like it, in the comments section below.
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