How to install the Android 15 Beta on Google Pixel

Android 15 has graduated from Developer Preview, with the beta program now available for Google Pixel devices. Here’s what you need to know about the first Android 15 beta and how to install it.

What’s the latest Android 15 beta?

Google first released Android 15 in February. Two developer previews and one beta have been released leading up to May 15, when Google released Android 15 Beta 2 for Pixel.

While Beta 2 brings more of the new features coming in Android 15, it’s far from final, with a few more beta releases planned.

Notably, Android 15’s Developer Preview builds were both fairly unstable for users, with sideloading issues being prevalent. While the Android 15 Beta is likely to fix these problems, users should still take precautions. Avoid installing beta builds on a device you can’t go without, and if you do sideload the update, toggle “OEM Unlocking” in developer options before starting the install process.

What Pixel devices can install the Android 15 Beta?

As of Android 15, all Snapdragon-powered Pixel smartphones will no longer be supported. Only Pixels powered by Tensor are available with Android 15, meaning all Pixel devices released since October 2021.

That includes the following:

• Pixel 6
• Pixel 6 Pro
• Pixel 6a
• Pixel 7
• Pixel 7 Pro
• Pixel 7a
• Pixel Fold
• Pixel Tablet
• Pixel 8
• Pixel 8 Pro
• Pixel 8a

For Google Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, this is the last major Android update available. The Pixel 8a was also added following its launch in early May.

How to install Android 15 with the Android Beta Program on Pixel

While the initial Developer Preview releases of Android 15 required sideloading, Google makes the beta releases readily available through OTA updates.

To get set up, you’ll visit google.com/android/beta and “Opt in” on your selected device. Any compatible Pixel (listed above) with your same Google account will be able to join the program on this page. Once opted in, you’ll be able to check for updates on your device to actually install the update. This usually happens within an hour, but can occasionally take longer.

How to sideload Android 15 Beta on Google Pixel

By far, the fastest way to get a new version of Android on your Pixel is to sideload it. It’s a relatively easy process, but you’ll need to get set up to do it. Here’s how.

1. Download the needed files.
2. Boot into Recovery mode.
3. Navigate to ADB sideload.
4. Connect the handset to a computer with ADB tools installed.
5. Enter the sideload command.
6. Reboot your phone.

WARNING: Google notes that you should unlock your bootloader – or at least turn on OEM Unlock in developer settings – before installing an OTA.

Before applying an Android 15 OTA image, we strongly recommend that you unlock the bootloader on your device if possible. Unlocking the bootloader requires a full device reset that removes all user data on the device, so make sure to back up your data first.

1. Download Android 15 Beta files

To get started, you’ll first need to download the files needed to actually put the Android 15 Beta 2 on your Pixel.

There are two ways to do so. First, you can install a Factory Image, which wipes your phone and starts everything from scratch. Alternatively, and the way we’ll detail here, there’s an OTA file, which installs over your current version of Android without wiping your phone.

You can download the beta OTA file from Google’s Full OTA Image hosting site. That site contains OTA downloads for sideloading different updates, including the Android 15 Beta, on every Pixel and Nexus device, so you’ll need to scroll down to ensure you are downloading the file that is associated with your device. OTA downloads are available here.

For the Android 15 Beta, only Pixel 6/Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7/Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel 8/Pro, Pixel 8a, Pixel Fold, and Pixel Tablet are available. You won’t be able to install it on the original Pixel/XL, Pixel 2/XL, Pixel 3/XL, Pixel 3a/XL, Pixel 4/XL, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5, or Pixel 5a.

Note: This process (using OTA) won’t wipe your device, but it’s good practice to back up any irreplaceable data in case something goes wrong. You should also enable “OEM Unlocking” in Developer Options as a means of recovery.

2. Boot into Recovery mode

Next, you’ll boot your Pixel into Recovery mode. To do this, fully power down your handset. Then hold down on the Power button and the Volume down button at the same time until you get to the Bootloader page. You will know you’re in the right place when you see an Android figure lying down on the screen.

Using your volume buttons, scroll down to Recovery mode. Select this by clicking the power button. Alternatively, if you’re already connected to a computer with ADB, you can use the reboot recovery command.

Now, you should see a smaller Android lying down with an exclamation mark over it. From here, press the Power button and the Volume up button for about a second to fully enter Recovery mode. Releasing the Volume up button will send you into Recovery.

3. Navigate to ADB sideload

Using the volume buttons, scroll down to Apply update from ADB and select it with the power button. This will launch a mostly blank screen with text near the bottom directing you on how to sideload an OTA.

4. Connect the handset to a computer with ADB tools installed

This step is important as it’s the only way to transfer the downloaded OTA file to your handset. You’ll need to have ADB and Fastboot tools in a handy place. You can download ADB tools from the Android Developers website. You can also use the Universal ADB Drivers from ClockWorkMod, which can make the process a bit easier on Windows devices.

5. Enter the sideload command

As long as everything is in place, you can now sideload the OTA file. On Windows, ensure your Command Prompt is directed to the ADB tools folder and type in adb sideload. If you’re on macOS or Linux, do the same thing in Terminal (use “cd” and “ls” commands to make sure your Terminal is pointed at the right folder – Google it if you need help) but type in ./adb sideload. You’ll then need to insert the file name of the .zip folder you downloaded from Google and hit enter to start the process.

If everything is working properly, you should see some dialog on your computer and handset that shows the process of the sideload and installation process.

6. Reboot your phone

Once the OTA is done installing, you will be taken back to Recovery Mode. The last step to jump into the new update is to select the Reboot now option with your power button.

Questions? Let us know in the comments.