Nothing Phone (2a) gets Android 15 Beta, but you probably shouldn’t install it

Ben Schoon | May 14 2024 - 8:48 am PT

Ahead of Google I/O 2024 where we’re likely to learn more about Android 15, Nothing has announced that a beta program to test the new update on the Nothing Phone (2a).

Through its forums, Nothing has revealed that it will participate in the Android 15 Beta program. It comes as little surprise, as Nothing did the same thing for Android 14, but this year is a bit different.

Nothing says that only the Nothing Phone (2a) will get Android 15, at least for now.

The update is available for sideloading via Nothing’s forum post. You’ll need to be running Nothing OS 2.5.5a to get started, and then you can use a hidden on-device sideloading tool to install the update. Nothing has full instructions in its post – it’s a bit complex.

However, you’ll probably want to hold off on installing it.

Nothing notes that there are three key known issues with the update, and two of them are absolute showstoppers. The first is that fingerprints cannot be registered – existing ones would presumably work, but you can’t add a new one, and since installation requires a reset, it effectively means the fingerprint sensor just won’t be useful on Android 15 Beta 1. Beyond that, face unlock also won’t work. Nothing’s special touches such as its launcher, widgets, recorder, and more, will also be missing from this first build.

Presumably, we’ll be hearing of more Android OEMs putting out their own Android 15 betas over the next day or two.