How To Install Android Q On Google Pixel Phones

While there are still many Android devices waiting for Android Pie update, Google has just released Android Q beta developer version for its Pixel, Pixel 2 and Pixel 3 family.

With Android Q version, another name is Android 10, you can try it in advance before its official release around the globe in August. But you should not it’s the early software, just built for developers, so it’s not stable enough for daily use on average users. However, it’s still worth trying.

If you are eager to experience the Android Q (Android 10) version on your Pixel phone, then this post will show you two ways to install this Android beta update on your phone.

Supported Devices With Android Q Beta

As we mentioned, Google just released the Android Q beta for its Pixel family, including Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. Surprisingly, the first Pixel generation is still included in this beta update. However, we hope there will be more other OEM smartphones to get access to the Android Q program in the coming weeks and months, which is similar to the beta program for Android P last year.

For now, only Pixel users can try the latest Android version. We’ll update download links once other phones in this post when they’re available.

Also read: How To Install TWRP 3-2-3 Recovery On Google Pixel 3 & Pixel 3 XL

Join the Android Q Beta To Install It

The first way to get Android Q on your Pixel phone is to join the Android Q program to automatically install the latest version. To proceed, simply visit Google’s beta program website. From there, you’ll see the compatible devices to join the Android Q beta. In this site, sign in your Google account, opt-in to the beta and agree to the terms & conditions and you’re all set.

Steps to join Android Q program

  1. Head to Android Beta Program website
  2. Log into your Gmail(if you have not already)
  3. Scroll down and check the list of compatible devices
  4. Choose your device, and then click on blue Opt-In button
  5. Agree to Google’s terms & conditions, simply tap on OK

On your Pixel phone, just navigate to Settings > System and tap check for Android Q updates. You can now get the latest version of Android Q on your phone. The process will take about 15-20 minutes, depending on the Internet connection. We recommend you to back up your data before proceeding, just to be safe.

Steps to Manually Download and Install Android Q

If you could not join the beta program, you can still manually install this latest Android Q beta update as you have done with Android Pie. It’s known as “side-loading”. Honestly, you should wait for the beta program since it’s automatic. If you cannot wait, here are the download links and steps to install it on your Pixel phone.

Links Download Of Android Q For Pixel:

There are a few ways for you to manually flash the factory image files the latest Android version. It can be with ADB, custom tools, or something else. But in the area of this post, we’ll show you steps to install Q manually through ADB.

Before you proceed with sideloading Android updates, it is recommended that you have a knowledge of Android SDK, Terminal (OS X or Linux), or Command Prompt (Windows), since there is a chance it can harm your phone if something goes wrong during the process.

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To download the Android SDK, you can get it from Android Development website and follow the instructions to install it on your computer correctly.

Note:

If you follow these steps in this post and use a Windows machine, you don’t have to use the “./” seen in the guide. Simply enter the rest of the command line by line listed and it’s OK.

Enable Developer Options and USB debugging

  1. Head to SettingsAbout Phone.
  2. Tap on the Build number seven times until you see a message “you are now a developer.”
  3. Return to Settings menu and there will be an option Developer options. Simply tap on it.
  4. Scroll down, find and enable USB debugging
  5. Connect your Pixel phone to the computer and tap on “OK” in the dialog box that asks you to Allow USB debugging once connected. You can also choose “always allow access” on the computer.

Unlock your Pixel bootloader

To manually install Android Q version, the next step is unlocking bootloader of your Pixel phone.

To do so, you need to boot it into the bootloader. Simply press and hold the power + volume down buttons at once to enter the Bootloader Menu.

Now, open cmd/Terminal on your computer, run the following command to make sure your device is properly connected to your computer. If you see characters, it means that the connection is successful.

./adb devices

At the bottom of your phone screen, you can see the lock state of your phone along with other things.  To unlock your bootloader, you need to enter the following commands.

Note: 

Unlocking the bootloader will factory reset your Pixel phone, so all the data will be lost. If you have not yet backed up anything, simply press the Power button while Start is highlighted in the Bootloader menu to boot up your phone back normal. After that, boot it into Fastboot Mode again to unlock your bootloader.

Now enter:

./fastboot flashing unlock

There will be a message asking if you want to unlock your phone. If you are ready to unlock your bootloader, simply press Volume up button + Power button to confirm that you want to unlock your bootloader.

Type in the following command:

./fastboot reboot-bootloader

You should reboot the bootloader to make sure everything is still working correctly before moving on to the next step.

Steps to flash OTA update or factory image file on Pixel phones

Once the bootloader of your Pixel phone is unlocked, it’s time to flash the new Android Q beta firmware. To begin, you should make sure your phone is still connected properly with your computer. As long as the serial number of your Pixel phone comes back as a connected device, it means you can start updating your device.

Flashing a full Factory Image

First, enter the following command to flash the updated bootloader.

./fastboot flash bootloader [bootloader file].img

While there is not anything on the screen of your Pixel phone, you will see a dialog in your terminal or cmd. After flashing the bootloader, reboot your phone back into the bootloader by entering the command below:

./fastboot reboot-bootloader

Finally, you need to flash the system image of Android Q beta on your Pixel phone.

./fastboot -w update [image file].zip

Warning:

The above code will wipe out everything on your device. Normally, you can remove the “-w” from the command, but when switching to Android Q beta version, it’s not guaranteed to work properly.

Once done, your Pixel will restart itself and boot up as normal. The bootup time will take about 20-25 minutes since it to install system files. That’s all! You have successfully installed Android Q beta version on your Pixel phone.

Downgrade to Android Pie version

If you feel too many bugs during the daily use or you just want to return to Pie, you can do it with ease. The process is not difficult. All you need to follow the same steps above, except for unlocking your device’s bootloader again. You need to download the Android Pie factory image from Google and then flash it again on your Pixel.

There is also another simpler way of downgrading is to exit Android Q beta program. To do so:

  1. Launch any browser and visit www.google.com/android/beta (Return the Android Q beta page)
  2. Click on View your eligible devices button
  3. From there, tap on Opt Out button to roll back to Pie
  4. Confirm your choice by clicking on the blue Leave beta button
  5. Accept the notification to re-install Android Pie on your Pixel phone.

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