In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of installing the Android 15 Custom ROM on the Google Pixel 3a and Google Pixel 3a XL. You’ve come to the right place if you’re eager to experience the clean, feature-packed Android 15. Google recently launched Android 15 for its Pixel lineup, followed by the official source code release for developers. This has led to the creation of custom ROMs based on Android 15 for Pixel 3a and 3a XL, users can now enjoy an unofficial AOSP build of Android 15. Ready to transform your device with the latest Android features? Let’s get started!
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Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL Overview
Google announced the Pixel 3a and 3a XL, two new mid-range smartphones, on May 7, 2019. The product release date was May 15, 2019. These devices may have been inexpensive but offered a feature-full experience.
Pixel 3a:
The Pixel 3a’s 5.6-inch OLED screen has a pixel density of approximately 441 ppi. The screen takes up about 75% of the front, making a huge aesthetic statement. The brains of the Pixel 3a are an octa-core CPU running on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 (10 nm) chipset (2×2.0 GHz 360 Gold & 6×1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver).
With its 12.2 megapixel rear camera, OIS, and phase detection autofocus, the Pixel 3a can record 4K video at 30 FPS. The 8-megapixel front-facing camera makes taking selfies and participating in video calls easy.
The Pixel 3a’s non-removable Li-Po battery is 3000 mAh, which is a solid balance between power and battery life, and it also supports 18W wired charging via PD2.0.
Pixel 3a XL:
The Pixel 3a XL has a 6.0-inch OLED screen with a 1080 x 2160 resolution and an approximately 76.3% screen-to-body ratio, both of which enhance the viewing experience. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 (10 nm) chipset and octa-core CPU (2×2.0 GHz 360 Gold & 6×1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) are the same in both the Pixel 3a and the Pixel 3a XL.
The camera is excellent, packing the same wide-angle lens and 12.2 megapixels as Google’s Pixel 3a. The front-facing 8-megapixel camera takes gorgeous selfies and records video calls in superb clarity.
Faster wired 18W charging with PD2.0 and a larger 3700 mAh non-removable battery make the Pixel 3a XL ideal for extended use.
The Pixel 3a and 3a XL were attractive options for consumers who want a powerful smartphone but don’t want to break the bank to get it since they strike a solid balance between low pricing and high-end hardware.
The Pixel 3a series stood out due to its fantastic display, quick processor, significant cameras, and appropriate battery capacities, as well as its seamless hardware and software integration.
Android 15 and Its Features
Google has officially rolled out Android 15, packed with a wide array of new features and significant improvements. This latest version promises enhanced productivity, stronger privacy protections, and smoother overall performance. Released on September 3, Google has made the source code available through the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). While Pixel devices are the first to receive the Android 15 update, it will soon be available on select devices from brands like Honor, iQOO, Lenovo, Motorola, Nothing, OnePlus, Oppo, Realme, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, Tecno, Vivo, and Xiaomi in the upcoming months.
Android 15 introduces several innovative features, including Private Space—which allows users to keep sensitive apps separate from the rest of the phone—and Improved Audio Image Descriptions. Additionally, there are new satellite connectivity options, an Earthquake Alert System, offline maps for Wear OS, and enhanced Bluetooth capabilities. Other key updates include Partial Screen Recording, Malicious App Blocking, App Archiving, Audio Sharing, improved low-light camera performance, better battery life, enhanced theft protection, a more user-friendly taskbar, and robust fraud and scam protection. Android 15 aims to deliver a more secure, versatile, and responsive user experience.
What’s Working and Known Bugs:
Whats working? Everything seems fine Known issues ? Please let me know with a proper logs
Steps To Install AOSP Android 15 on Pixel 3a and 3a XL
This guide will walk you through the steps to install the AOSP Android 15 Custom ROM on the Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL. If you’re looking for a clean, pure Android experience with the latest features and updates, you’ve come to the right place. Google has recently launched Android 15, and while it’s officially available for Pixel devices, the source code is also available for developers.
Before we dive into the installation guide, please ensure that you’ve met all the prerequisites mentioned below to avoid any issues during the installation process.
Pre-Requisites
Before proceeding, you are strongly advised to back up your device’s storage and all your essential files. This ensures that no data is lost in case anything goes wrong during the process. Following the steps carefully will help avoid any permanent damage or bricking of your device.
Charge Your Phone
Ensure your device has at least 50% or more battery before unlocking the bootloader or flashing the ROM to prevent any unexpected shutdowns during the process.
Download ADB and Fastboot Binaries
You can skip this part if you have already installed TWRP Recovery on your Pixel 3a and 3a XL. For those who haven’t, ADB and Fastboot commands (platform-tools) are required to boot your device into bootloader mode, allowing you to perform the necessary flashing operations. ADB (Android Debug Bridge) establishes a connection between your device and computer, while Fastboot is a more advanced command-line utility for flashing and modifying Android devices.
You can download the ADB and Fastboot Binaries (Platform-Tools) here.
Download Google USB Drivers
You’ll need the appropriate USB drivers to ensure a successful connection between your Pixel 3a and 3a XL and your computer. These drivers enable file transfers, flashing, and other operations between your devices.
You can download the official Google USB drivers here.
Unlock the Bootloader of Your Phone:
Unlocking the bootloader of your Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL is essential before you can install any custom ROM. Make sure to follow Xiaomi’s official instructions for unlocking the bootloader. Unlocking the bootloader will wipe your device, so back up your data beforehand.
Install TWRP Recovery:
You must install TWRP Recovery on your phone to install any custom ROM on your device. After unlocking the bootloader, follow our guide to install TWRP Recovery on your Pixel 3a and 3a XL.
Download Android 15 ROM:
You can download the Android 15 custom ROMs for the Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL from the links below:
| Evolution X | Google Pixel 3a | Development Page |
| Lineage OS 22 | Development Page | |
| Evolution X | Google Pixel 3a XL | Development Page |
| Lineage OS 22 | Development Page | |
Download Android 15 Gapps:
Currently, there are no specific GApps packages officially released for Android 15. However, based on community feedback, NikGApps for Android 14 seems to be a reliable alternative. You can try using the NikGApps Core package from the Android 14 version to flash onto your Android 15 custom ROM.
You can download the NikGApps Core for Android 14 from the following link: Download NikGApps Core for Android 14
This package should provide the basic Google services, including the Play Store, on your Android 15 device. Since this is a workaround, there may be some compatibility issues, but it’s worth trying until an official Android 15-compatible GApps package is available.
Make sure to flash it right after the ROM installation during the TWRP installation process, and don’t forget to check for updates to GApps periodically.
Warning!
GetDroidTips is not responsible for any issues that may happen to your device if you flash it on another device and brick it. Do it at your own risk.
Instructions To Install:
- Connect your device to the PC via a USB cable. Make sure USB Debugging is enabled.
- Then, go to the platform-tools folder, type CMD in the address bar, and hit Enter. This will launch the Command Prompt.
- Execute the below command in the CMD window or enter recovery mode using the Volume and Power button combination to boot your device to TWRP Recovery:
adb reboot recovery
- Now head to the Install section and navigate to the downloaded vendor and firmware. Perform a right swipe to flash it.
TWRP Home - If you want Google Apps as well, you need to flash it at this instance. Go to Install, select the GApps ZIP file, and perform a right swipe to flash this file.
- When that is done, you may reboot your device. Head over to Reboot and select System.
The first boot after installing a custom ROM may take a bit longer than usual, so don’t panic if it seems slow. After the device boots, you will need to set it up as a new device, just like when you first got it.
Conclusion
If you’re eager to try the latest Android 15 OS on your Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL, flashing this custom AOSP build is the way to go. While it is unlikely that the Pixel 3a and 3a XL will receive an official Android 15 update from Xiaomi, this custom ROM will give you access to most of Android 15’s features and updates. However, as with any custom ROM, you might encounter some bugs or stability issues, so it’s a good idea to report them to the relevant XDA forum.
That’s all for this guide. We hope it helped you successfully install Android 15 on your Pixel 3a and 3a XL. If you have any questions or run into any issues, feel free to leave a comment below. Good luck!