Key Takeaways
- Android 16 Developer Preview 1 is now obtainable to the general public.
- In the interim, this primary preview construct is simply appropriate with choose Pixel gadgets.
- When you can manually flash the preview onto your machine, utilizing Google’s Android Flash Software streamlines the method.
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. In recent times, 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 must be famous that this launch is primarily meant for builders on the lookout for an atmosphere to check their apps in. Google says the secure model of Android 16 is deliberate to hit the market within the second quarter of 2025.
It isn’t advisable that you simply set up this software program launch in your most important, on a regular basis handset — there’s an inherent danger of instability in early Developer Preview builds comparable to this one.
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Forget Android 15: Google’s Android 16 in now officially in preview
With many Android handsets nonetheless ready on their Android 15 replace, Google is trekking ahead with Android 16 Developer Preview 1.
Which gadgets presently assist Android 15 Developer Preview 1?
Naturally, Pixel gadgets obtain preferential therapy
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 interim, your complete record 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 minimize this yr.
It is attention-grabbing to see Google’s Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Professional handsets make the minimize 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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Google is reportedly planning emigrate ChromeOS over to Android to create one unified working system.
How do I obtain and set up Android 15 Developer Preview 1 on my machine?
Android Flash Software 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 an alternative, you will wish to make use of Google’s Android Flash Software to get your self arrange.
Along with a supported handset, you will want entry to both a Mac or a PC, in addition to a USB cable able to knowledge switch.
Upon getting every thing you want, comply with these steps:
- Allow developer choices in your telephone by navigating to Settings > About telephone > and tapping on the construct quantity seven occasions in a row.
- From right here, you will be prompted to enter your telephone’s PIN or password to proceed.
- Subsequent, backtrack to the primary Settings web page, after which faucet on System > Developer choices.
- Toggle on USB debugging from the record of settings that seem on-screen.
- Toggle on OEM unlocking from this similar record of on-screen settings.
- Plug your telephone into your Mac or PC utilizing your USB cable.
- In your Mac or PC, navigate to Google’s Android Flash Tool internet portal through your internet browser.
- 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 no less than 10GB of obtainable storage in your laptop. You will be requested to not work together along with your telephone until particularly prompted to by the Android Flash Software, and to not unplug your telephone out of your laptop in the course of the course of.
It is necessary to notice that following together with this course of will wipe all knowledge off your telephone, and the machine will likely be restored again to default manufacturing unit settings.

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There’s a secondary technique for getting Android 16 Developer Preview 1 up and working in your telephone, nevertheless it’s a extra concerned course of. Doing so requires manually unlocking your bootloader, getting into Fastboot mode, extracting manufacturing unit picture information, and getting into terminal instructions on a PC or a Mac.
If you would like to comply with the steps for manually flashing manufacturing unit photographs of this primary preview construct, our sister web site Android Police has published a step-by-step guide on the right way to just do that. Simply be forewarned that this second technique is not for the faint of coronary heart.
As soon as your telephone has efficiently rebooted, you will end up plopped onto the out-of-box expertise (OOBE) display screen.
No matter which technique you go for, the top end result must be an up-and-running construct of Android 16 in its earliest rendition. As soon as your telephone has efficiently rebooted, you will end up plopped onto the out-of-box expertise (OOBE) display screen, and from right here you may go about establishing your machine. 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. Ultimately, as soon as the secure model of Android 16 reaches normal availability subsequent yr, it will be robotically pushed out to your machine as properly.

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A brand new characteristic in Google’s newest Android replace offers you a discrete place to maintain personal apps, untouchable by the remainder of your telephone.
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