Android N Developer Preview
Google releases Android N Developer Preview for compatible Nexus devices Android Developer

If you own any of the Nexus devices such as Nexus 6, 9, 5X, 6P, Nexus Player, Pixel C or General Mobile 4G (Android One), then your device is eligible to taste the early builds of the next Android operating system version via developer preview. Installing the preview version would allow you to test and optimise the app in the new Android version. For the uninitiated, below are the detailed guides to install or uninstall the new preview version.

How to install Android N Developer Preview via OTA updates

If you have access to supported Nexus devices, you can receive over-the-air updates to preview versions by enrolling for the Android Beta Programme. The preview updates download and update automatically. Head over to the Android Beta Programme site, where you will see all the devices registered to your account.

  • Choose the device you want to receive Android N updates
  • Click Enrol, read and agree the terms and condition of services and then click OK
  • Once you have enrolled, your device will receive an update.

Flashing Android N Developer Preview manually

You can, alternatively, download the latest Developer Preview system image and manually update your Nexus device. But note that installing a system image would remove all data from your Nexus device.

How to flash a system image

  • Download system image for your Nexus device and extract it to a directory
  • Connect your phone to the computer using USB cable
  • Put the device into fastboot mode by using either the following methods;

Using the adb tool, execute the following command

adb reboot bootloader

Or, use hardware key combination. Turn off the Nexus device and, turn it on and then hold the relevant key combination. For instance for Nexus 5, press and hold the Volume Up, Volume Down and Power buttons together.

  • Unlock the device's bootloadre by executing the following command

fastboot flashing unlock

  • For older devices, type in the following command

fastboot oem unlock

  • You should now be presented with a confirmation screen
  • Open a terminal and head over to the extracted file image directory
  • Execute flash-all script, which will install all necessary bootloader, baseband firmware and operating system
  • When the script finished, reboot the device

You might consider locking the bootloader again for security. For this start the device in fastboot mode then execute the following command

  • fastboot flashing lock

Note that locking the bootloader will erase all data on your device.

How to uninstall Android N Developer Preview

Look for an appropriate factory system image and then manually flash it on your phone. Click here to get factory images for Nexus devices.

You can also unenrol the device from the Android Beta Programme. By doing so your device will receive an OTA update to the most recent version of Android that is available for public. Head over to Android developer official site to know more about developer preview version of Android N.

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