Key Takeaways
- Android 16 Developer Preview 1 is now accessible to the general public.
- In the interim, this primary preview construct is simply appropriate with choose Pixel units.
- When you can manually flash the preview onto your gadget, utilizing Google’s Android Flash Device 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. Lately, 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, however it must be famous that this launch is primarily meant for builders searching for an surroundings 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 fundamental, on a regular basis handset — there’s an inherent threat of instability in early Developer Preview builds resembling this one.
Associated
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 units at present assist Android 15 Developer Preview 1?
Naturally, Pixel units obtain preferential remedy
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, the whole record contains solely of Google’s personal Pixel line of {hardware}. Over time, I count on extra handsets and tablets from third-party OEMs to be added into the combination.
It is fascinating to see Google’s Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Professional handsets make the reduce this 12 months.
It is fascinating to see Google’s Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Professional handsets make the reduce this 12 months — 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 homeowners of older Pixel {hardware}.

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Google reportedly aims to take on the iPad by merging ChromeOS and Android
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 gadget?
Android Flash Device 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 operating. As a substitute, you will wish to make use of Google’s Android Flash Device 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 information switch.
After getting the whole lot you want, comply with these steps:
- Allow developer choices in your cellphone by navigating to Settings > About cellphone > and tapping on the construct quantity seven instances in a row.
- From right here, you will be prompted to enter your cellphone’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 identical record of on-screen settings.
- Plug your cellphone into your Mac or PC utilizing your USB cable.
- In your Mac or PC, navigate to Google’s Android Flash Tool internet portal by way of 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 at the very least 10GB of obtainable storage in your pc. You will be requested to not work together along with your cellphone except particularly prompted to by the Android Flash Device, and to not unplug your cellphone out of your pc through the course of.
It is essential to notice that following together with this course of will wipe all information off your cellphone, and the gadget will probably be restored again to default manufacturing unit settings.

Associated
Google doesn’t care about tablets again: the Pixel Tablet 2 is reportedly dead
The Pixel Pill 2 has reportedly been canceled, creating uncertainty about the way forward for the Pixel pill collection.
There’s a secondary methodology for getting Android 16 Developer Preview 1 up and operating in your cellphone, however it’s a extra concerned course of. Doing so requires manually unlocking your bootloader, getting into Fastboot mode, extracting manufacturing unit picture recordsdata, 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 pictures 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 methodology is not for the faint of coronary heart.
As soon as your cellphone has efficiently rebooted, you will end up plopped onto the out-of-box expertise (OOBE) display screen.
No matter which methodology you go for, the tip end result must be an up-and-running construct of Android 16 in its earliest rendition. As soon as your cellphone has efficiently rebooted, you will end up plopped onto the out-of-box expertise (OOBE) display screen, and from right here you’ll be able to go about organising your gadget. Throughout 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. Finally, as soon as the secure model of Android 16 reaches common availability subsequent 12 months, it’s going to be mechanically pushed out to your gadget as effectively.

Associated
How I set up Android 15’s Private Space to keep sensitive apps hidden
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 cellphone.
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