How to install Android 15 on your Pixel phone right now

1 month ago 17

After numerous beta releases, the stable version of Android 15 is finally here! The latest update includes new privacy features, improved foldable and tablet features, and so much more. While you can eventually snag it through an over-the-air update, you might not want to wait that long. In this guide, we take a look at how to install Android 15 on your Pixel phone.

What devices can install Android 15 today?

Robert Triggs / Android Authority

Android 15 was just literally released so for now you’ll only find it on Pixel devices. Here’s a full list of Pixel products that can install Android 15 is here:

Google Pixel 8 Pro
Google Pixel 8
Google Pixel 8a
Google Pixel Fold
Google Pixel Tablet
Google Pixel 7a

Google Pixel 7 Pro
Google Pixel 7
Google Pixel 6a
Google Pixel 6 Pro
Google Pixel 6

If you don’t see your Pixel on that list, you’re stuck on Android 14 (or earlier) indefinitely. While the stable, final build of Android 15 isn’t available for other brands just yet, if you want to test out Android 15 on a backup device you’ll find the Android 15 beta is still available on some HONOR, IQOO, Lenovo, Nothing, OnePlus, OPPO, realme, Sharp, TECNO, vivo, and Xiaomi smartphones. If you own a recent smartphone from one of these brands, check out our comprehensive list of devices that support the Android 15 beta.

How do I install Android 15?

Adamya Sharma / Android Authority

There are three ways to install Android 15 on a Pixel phone. The first is the assisted method, which we recommend to nearly everyone. This uses the Chrome browser to automate most of thebeta steps and is most useful if you are moving to Android 15 from any prior version.

There are also non-assisted methods using ADB and Fastboot. These are more complicated but give you a bit more freedom. These methods are also helpful if you are already on a version of Android 15, as you’ll be able to install a newer version of Android 15 without needing to wipe your phone first.

Remember that in all cases, moving from Android 14 to Android 15 requires a complete wipe of your phone’s data. If you don’t want to do this, you should not install Android 15 on your phone.

If you’re ready, it’s time to prepare!

Prepare to install Android 15

You will need the following materials and prerequisites to get started:

A Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, or Linux computer with access to the internet and the latest Chrome browser.
A short, thick USB cable for connecting your phone to the computer. The original USB cable that came with the phone is best for this.

Before you move on to the next steps, double-check that you have everything you need. You don’t want to get into the process of installing Android 15 and discover you aren’t fully prepared! Once you’re ready, continue on by using either the assisted or manual installation methods below.

Install Android 15 using the assisted method

FINAL WARNING: This process will unlock your bootloader and completely erase all your phone’s data.

Ensure your computer has the proper drivers for your phone, which you can grab from Google’s Pixel drivers page. This is an essential step — if you skip this, flashing will not work!
Plug your phone into your computer using the USB cable.
In your phone’s Settings, go to System > Developer options. If you don’t see Developer options, go to Settings > About phone and scroll all the way down to the Build number. Tap on the Build number seven times until your phone says you are a developer. Developer options should be available now.
In Developer options, enable OEM unlocking and USB debugging.
Visit the Android Flash Tool page for installing Android 15.
Select the version of Android 15 you’d like to install. For some models, there’s a 64-bit-only version and a version that also supports 32-bit software. Either one works. If you don’t know which one to pick, choose the one that just says “(signed),” which supports both 64-bit and 32-bit software.
Follow along as the flashing tool takes care of everything for you. Simply follow the instructions and remember not to touch your phone unless specifically instructed to do so by the flashing tool.

That’s it! You should now have Android 15 installed on your Pixel smartphone.

Install Android 15 using the manual method

If the more straightforward assisted method mentioned above does not work for you, you can try the manual methods. Primarily, there are two manual methods:

Flashing Factory Images through Fastboot: This requires an unlocked bootloader but is the recommended path for upgrading from Android 14 to Android 15 without the assisted method. Unlocking the bootloader will completely wipe your device. The Fastboot installation will wipe your device again, but you can alter this behavior.
Sideloading OTA packages through ADB and Recovery: This method is useful for Pixel devices with a locked bootloader and for users who want to preserve data moving from Android 15 to Android 15. This is not recommended if you are moving from Android 14 to Android 15.

Irrespective of the method you choose, there are some common steps that you need to get in place:

Install ADB on your computer by following our guide. The process also installs Fastboot on your computer, as Fastboot is part of the Android SDK Platform Tools alongside ADB.
Ensure that you have USB Debugging enabled on your smartphone:
- On your smartphone, go to Settings > About Phone.
- Locate the Build Number entry. Tap seven times on it. You will see a toast popup saying, “You are now a developer” or “No need, you are already a developer.” This means that Developer Options has been unlocked on your device, and you will see a new entry in your Settings menu.
- Now navigate to Settings > Developer Options > Enable USB Debugging. Confirm your selection when prompted in the warning.
Ensure your computer has the proper drivers for your phone, which you can grab from Google’s Pixel drivers page.
Connect your phone to the computer. Presuming this is the first time you are connecting your phone to your computer, you will get a prompt on your phone requesting authorization for the connection. Grant it.

With this, you will have your common steps in place. You can now move forward with the rest of the tutorial, depending on the install path that you choose.

Flashing Factory Images through Fastboot

FINAL WARNING: As part of this process, your phone will be completely wiped. Please ensure you have taken adequate backups before proceeding.

Download the official Factory Images on your computer for your phone. Ensure you download the file for your specific phone only, as flashing the file intended for a different phone model may mess with the installation process and render your device useless.
Optional but recommended: Verify the SHA-256 checksum of the file you have downloaded. This reassures you that the file has been downloaded completely and correctly. Google mentions the SHA-256 checksum next to the download link.
Unzip the file to a convenient location. For ease of installation, you can copy the contents to the directory where ADB and Fastboot are located on your computer.
Connect your phone to your computer.
Open up a command prompt on your computer and run the command adb reboot bootloader. This will reboot your phone to Fastboot mode.
Unlock the bootloader of your phone: You do this by running the Fastboot command fastboot flashing unlock. Note that this will erase all data on the device.
- If your device reboots into the OS after a data wipe, you will need to skip all the setup steps and enable USB Debugging again. Once you do, reboot back into the Fastboot mode.
On a Windows PC, double-click on the flash-all.bat file. This will run the batch installation file and execute all the necessary commands by itself. On a Mac/Linux PC, you will need to run flash-all.
- In case you want to preserve your system and app data between installations, you will need to open the flash-all script in a text editor program and delete the “-w” attribute from the command. This attribute denotes a wipe, so remove it if you do not want a wipe.
Once the script finishes, your device will reboot into the new OS.
Optional but recommended: Relock the bootloader of your phone by rebooting your phone into Fastboot mode and running the command fastboot flashing lock.

Sideloading OTA packages through ADB

FINAL WARNING: This process should only be used if you’re already on Android 15. If you are on any other version, use the assisted method or Fastboot.

Download the official OTA update zip file on your computer for your phone. Ensure you download the file for your specific phone only, as flashing the file intended for a different phone model may mess with the installation process and render your device useless.
Optional but recommended: Once the file has finished downloading, rename it to a simpler name, like abc.zip, for example. This will save you from typing out the long name that the file initially downloaded with.
Optional but recommended: Verify the SHA-256 checksum of the file you have downloaded. This reassures you that the file has been downloaded completely and correctly. Google mentions the SHA-256 checksum next to the download link.
Place the file in the directory where ADB is located on your computer.
Connect your phone to your computer.
Open up a command prompt on your computer and run the command adb reboot recovery. This will reboot your phone to recovery mode.
- In case your phone does not reboot into recovery, you can also manually reboot into recovery by shutting down your device and then pressing and holding the power button and volume up button.
Use the volume keys to navigate to the Apply Update from ADB option in the Recovery menu. Press the power button to select it.
On the command prompt on your computer, run the command adb devices. This will return a device serial number with “sideload” written next to it. This indicates that your phone is connected in sideload mode and is ready to receive further installation commands.
On the command prompt on your computer, run the command adb sideload abc.zip. You will need to replace “abc.zip” with the filename that you have chosen.
ADB will install the update zip file on your phone.
Once installation is complete, choose the Reboot system now option on your phone, and your device will reboot into the freshly installed Android 15 build.

That’s it! You should now have Android 15 installed on your Pixel smartphone.

FAQ

Android 15 beta has been around for a while but the stable build arrived on October 15, 2024.

If you have a recent Pixel phone, you should get Android 15 the same day it goes stable. If you have a non-Pixel, you will need to wait for a time. The amount of time depends on your manufacturer. Generally, if you have a recent Samsung flagship or the most recent OnePlus flagship, you should likely see Android 15 before the end of 2024.

Yes. Certain manufacturers already have their own beta programs open to some phones. However, you’ll need to check with your phone’s specific manufacturer to see if a) there’s a beta program and b) your phone is eligible for it. Be aware stable versions are still incoming.

If you use any of the methods on this page, you will need to wipe your phone. However, if you don’t want to manually update you’ll eventually get an over-the-air (OTA) update, that will not wipe your phone.

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