Technology
How to download the Android 15 beta
While we’re still a long way from the official release of Android 15, developers (and curious tech fans) already have a way to access the Android 15 pre-release beta.
At the time of writing, Google has already released two Developer Previews and three beta versions of Android 15 since February 2024, each building on the previous one in terms of features and fixes.
Based on the roadmap released by Google before DP1, Android 15 beta 4 is expected in July. That could well be the last, given the likely final launch on August 13 at the confirmed Pixel 9 event.
We don’t have any further details from the company on any subsequent betas before the full and final release of Android 15, but previous iterations of Android have received such treatment (there was an Android 14 Beta 5, for example), so it’s not out of the question the line. realm of possibilities.
Provided you’re comfortable running an experimental and unfinished version of Android on your device prior to launch, Google already has an established process for flashing the latest beta today; as long as you have a compatible device that supports these development updates.
We’ll update this article with each subsequent beta release, but right now we’re focusing on how to download and install Android 15 Beta 3.1 on your phone.
Which phones currently support Android 15?
It should come as no surprise that the first place you’ll look for Android 15-compatible smartphones is Google’s own Pixel devices. The list below can support the current beta version of Android 15:
It’s also worth noting that, for those curious about the tablet experience Android 15 has to offer, the Google Pixel Tablet is also compatible with the current Android 15 beta program.
Which non-Pixel phones and tablets support Android 15 beta?
If you’re eager to try out Android 15 but don’t have a compatible Pixel, don’t worry.
A handful of proactive device makers have signed up to become Android 15 “device maker partners,” meaning they’ll also offer early access to Android 15, albeit with download methods, timeframes, and sources that differ slightly from the Pixel method outlined in this article described.
Here is the current shortlist of third-party Android phones that support Android 15 beta versions. You can click on the brands themselves to access the device manufacturers’ respective download sites:
Honor
iQoo
Lenovo
Nothing
OnePlus
In return for
Realme
Sharp
Tecno
Living
Xiaomi
How to register to download the Android 15 beta on your phone
Before you can download the latest Android 15 beta to your device, you’ll need to sign in to the Android 15 beta site with your Google account and choose to sign in on the device you want to install Android 15 on.
Here’s how to sign up in a few simple steps:
- Go to the Android Beta for Pixel site (make sure you’re signed in to your Google account)
- Scroll down to the Your eligible devices section
- Read the General Terms and Conditions and FAQs for answers to any questions you may have before downloading and installing
- Select Sign in on the device where you want to install Android 15
- Then go to your newly registered phone
WARNING: To quote the Android Beta site directly: “You cannot unsubscribe and return to a stable public version of Android without first clearing all locally stored data on your device. You may also encounter problems when restoring from a backup. We recommend that you read the latest release notes for Pixel phones before signing up for Android Beta.“
If you are happy with this caveat, simply select Sign out below Your eligible devicesnext to the device you selected earlier Sign in on.
This is how you download the beta version of Android 15 on your phone
Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd
Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd
Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd
For Pixel users, there are two ways to download and install the latest beta. The simplest is an OTA (over-the-air) update, similar to how you would download a normal OS (operating system) update, by doing the following:
- Open the Institutions menu
- Scroll down and tap Systemat the bottom of the list
- Crane Software updates
- Then tap System update
- Your Pixel will then check for available OTA updates (if it doesn’t check automatically, tap the Check for updates knob)
- Once an available update is found and ready to download, tap the Download and install button in the bottom corner of the screen
If the beta update is not available immediately, check back in a few hours or just wait for your phone to notify you that the beta update is ready for download. The method is expected to be largely the same on other eligible Android phones, but there may be some variation.
Alternatively, you can download the update manually via the official Android Flash Tool. However, this is only recommended if you really cannot wait or do not want to use the more convenient OTA method.
