Google just recently released the Developer Preview of the next iteration of Android, that is Android 15. While the Android 14 update is yet to arrive on several eligible devices, Google is going all in with Android 15 on schedule. Usually, the new Developer Preview for Android is released in mid-February and Google has done exactly that.
If you are wondering who the Developer Preview is meant to be for and what are the supported devices, then you are in the right place. In this story, we will share the Android 15 supported devices and how you can install the Developer Preview on your eligible device. Let’s dive in.
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What’s New in Android 15?
So what is new with this new update? Well, to start things off, Android 15 brings a cool new easter egg that’s called Vanilla Ice Cream. The easter is somewhat similar to the Android 14 easter egg; although the design is rectangular, reminiscent of an ice-cream cone.
Aside from the easter egg, there are a few more functional changes to Android 15. Although the number is still small, since this is a Developer Preview, we can expect more features as we progress through the different stages of Android 15 beta. For now, here’s all that’s new with Android 15:
- HDR/SDR Ratio: You can now see your phone’s HDR/SDR ratio of images. This setting is available in the Developer Options under Debugging.
- Addition of Haptics: Google has generously added haptic feedback when dragging the brightness slider.
- Keyboard Vibration: Previously available only in the Gbaord, Android 15 brings native Keyboard Vibration support with a toggle to turn it on and off.
- Notification Cooldown: This helps you slow down the jarring notification sound when you receive too many messages simultaneously.
Google expects to release the Android 15 public beta by March 2024 and reach platform stability by July 2024. The stable update, however, is something Google has not talked about yet.
Android 15 Supported Devices
Earlier, Google used to promise three OS updates for its devices along with four years of security patches. With the Pixel 8, the company is taking it a step above with seven OS updates and seven years of security patches.
With these two policies in mind, we’ve shared a (official) list of all the Android 15-supported Pixel devices below along with the download links. All in all, if you have a Pixel 6 or an older device, you will be able to install the Android 15 Developer Preview.
- Pixel 6
- Pixel 6 Pro
- Pixel 6a
- Pixel 7
- Pixel 7 Pro
- Pixel 7a
- Pixel Tablet
- Pixel Fold
- Pixel 8
- Pixel 8 Pro
Android 15 Developer Preview 1 Factory Images/OTA Links
If you are eager to try out the Android 15 Developer Preview, you only need an eligible device and its factory image, which we have listed below.
| Device | Factory Images |
| Pixel 6 | Download |
| Pixel 6 Pro | Download |
| Pixel 6a | Download |
| Pixel 7 | Download |
| Pixel 7 Pro | Download |
| Pixel 7a | Download |
| Pixel 8 | Download |
| Pixel 8 Pro | Download |
| Pixel Tablet | Download |
| Pixel Fold | Download |
How to Install Android 15 On Your Phone: Step-By-Step Guide
Developer Previews are not as stable as Public Betas. As the name suggests, a Developer Preview is meant for developers only. It is important to mention that some devices were initially being bricked upon sideloading apps.
Google quickly rolled back the update and then released a new update that’s much more stable. However, reports from users suggest that the Android 15 Developer Preview is as stable as a public beta or even better.
It is, though, safe to install a Developer Preview on a secondary or a spare device since anything happening to that device won’t affect you much. So if you are willing to take the bet and install Android 15 on your phone, follow the steps below.
Disclaimer: Proceed with caution and at your own risk. GetDroidTips is not responsible for any damage that may occur to your device during or after the installation process.
Step 1: Download OTA & Unlock the Bootloader
So, the first step is to download the correct OTA file on your computer and then unlock the bootloader of your Pixel device. You can download the relevant OTA files for your Pixel device from the section above.
Do note that unlocking the bootloader of your device will delete all your data so make sure to have a backup of it before proceeding. Follow the steps below.
Enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap on System.
- Then, tap on About phone.
- Tap on the Build number several times until you become a developer.
- Go back to the main menu and click on Developer options.
- Turn on the toggle next to USB debugging and OEM unlocking.
Boot Into Fastboot Mode
- Connect your phone to a computer using a USB cable.
- On your phone, tap on Allow.
- Download and install the Minimal ADB Drivers tool on your computer and run it.
- Type the following command and press Enter:
adb devices - If your device is detected, type the following command and press Enter:
adb reboot bootloader
Unlock Bootloader
- Now, enter the following command and press Enter to unlock the bootloader:
fastboot flashing unlock - On your device, navigate to the Yes option using the Volume Up button and press the Power button to confirm.
- Once that is done, simply restart your device by pressing the Power button.
Note: Do not disconnect your device from your computer yet.
Step 2: Boot into Recovery
Now that you have unlocked the bootloader, you need to boot into recovery mode to install the OTA image. Follow the steps below:
- Press and hold the Power button and the Volume Down buttons simultaneously until you see the bootloader menu.
- Navigate to the Recovery option using the Volume buttons and press the Power button to confirm.
- Alternatively, enter the following command on your PC and press Enter:
adb reboot recovery
Step 3: Sideload OTA Update
Now that you are in recovery mode, you can simply apply the update from here. Follow the steps below.
- Navigate to the Apply update from ADB option using the Volume buttons and press the Power button to confirm.
- Make sure your phone is connected to your computer via a USB cable.
- Copy the file path of the OTA image by right-clicking on it and selecting “Copy File Path.”
- Now, open the Minimal ADB Tool and execute the following command (replace “Android-14-DP1.zip” with the path of the OTA file):
adb sideload Android-14-DP1.zip - Wait for a few minutes and your device will restart and boot into Android 15.
Conclusion
Android 15 has just seen light and we can’t wait to try out what’s next. Meanwhile, we can enjoy the limited new features of Android 15 with the Developer Preview 1. However, keep in mind that Developer Previews are not as stable as Public Betas and are intended for developers. Proceed with caution and at your own risk, and consider installing it on a secondary or spare device.
If you decide to install Android 15, follow the step-by-step guide provided in this article. Remember to back up your data before unlocking the bootloader and proceeding with the installation. If you have any questions, let us know in the comments section below.