How to install Android 12 Developer Preview on your Pixel 3 or newer

Recognition: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

Move over Android 11, there’s a new developer preview in town! The last few Android releases have focused more on refining the operating system than reinventing it, and that trend appears to continue with the Android 12 Developer Preview. According to Google, the main goal is to make Android 12 “more intuitive, powerful and secure”. For more information on the new Android Developer Preview, check out our announcement feature.

As you would expect from an initial preview, the Android 12 Developer Preview is aimed exclusively at developers and is a very early version. We don’t recommend trying it out unless you have a secondary device lying around as it is certainly too buggy to use as a daily driver. For those who have a spare pixel or want to exercise caution, your only option right now is to manually download and apply the update. While using a factory image is usually the standard method, we strongly recommend that you skip the factory images in favor of OTA images. While you still have to install it manually, you don’t have to completely erase your device using an OTA image. If you’re a developer and want the cleanest method, factory images might be better.

Publisher’s Note: The current Android Developer Preview is only compatible with Google Pixel smartphones from the Pixel 3 series. Later developer previews may extend to devices outside of the Pixel family, but we wouldn’t expect this anytime soon.

Here’s what you need to get started

Recognition: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

A compatible Pixel 3 or higher device and USB cable to connect to your computer.
The Android SDK installed on your computer with ADB and Fastboot command works successfully – read the tutorial here.

Now for the actual steps.

Download the correct files to install Android 12 Developer Preview

You need to download the correct file for your device before you begin. We recommend using OTA images over factory images as the process is simpler and you can keep old files if you are interested.

Click here to get the OTA image for your particular Pixel device. It is also possible to use the full factory images (here). However, this requires additional frameworks like unlocking your bootloader and more. If you want to keep things simple we recommend loading the OTA from the side, and we’ve designed our instructions below for this type of installation.

Prepare your phone

Once you’ve installed the file, you’ll need to restart your phone in recovery mode in order to apply the OTA. You are now ready to install Android 12 Developer Preview!

First turn off your phone.
Next, hold down power and Volume down Buttons simultaneously.
The bootloader menu is now displayed. Use the volume keys to scroll down Recovery mode.
Choose Recovery mode by clicking the power button.
You get an android robot with an exclamation mark. Now press the power button and the volume up button for about a second.
When you let go of the volume up button, you will be fully restored.
Next, press the volume buttons and scroll down to Apply update from ABD. Press the power button to select the option.
At last, you’ll see a blank screen that tells you how to load an OTA from the page.

Prepare your PC to install Android 12 Developer Preview

Now that your phone is ready, it’s time to do the magic.

Connect your handset to your PC using a USB cable. Remember that ADB tools must be installed on your PC.
Enter in Windows command prompt. On Linux or Mac you want to use terminal. For Windows users: Make sure you navigate to the location where you save the folder.
Next you need to enter adb sideload for Windows or ./adb side load for Mac / Linux.
Now you want to enter the name of the ZIP folder from before. Beat enter.
Once you’re done, your phone will return to Recovery mode and you can remove the USB cable.
Go to Restart now Use the volume buttons and press the power button.