How to Install Android 15 on Pixel Phones Right Now

After months of beta testing, Google has finally released the stable Android 15 for Pixel devices. The update has begin rolling out and it might take a few weeks to fully roll out. But not everyone is patient when it comes to updates which is natural as we have already waited long enough. And so there exist some manual update methods.

If you have been waiting for the Android 15 for so long and can’t wait any further, you can follow this guide to sideload Android 15 on your Pixel phone. There are a couple of methods to install the update manually, and you can choose the one you find easier or that works.

Android 15 isn’t as significant an update as Android 14, but it is still a major Android update, which brings a bunch of new features and changes. The Android 15 update arrives on Pixel devices with October Feature Drop and monthly update.

As for supported devices, Google has made some changes. The Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5, and Pixel 5a will no longer receive major Android updates. This means that only Tensor-powered phones will get the Android 15 update. Here is the list of Pixel phones eligible for the Android 15 update.

  • Pixel 6
  • Pixel 6 Pro
  • Pixel 6a
  • Pixel 7
  • Pixel 7 Pro
  • Pixel 7a
  • Pixel 8
  • Pixel 8 Pro
  • Pixel 8a
  • Pixel Fold
  • Pixel Tablet
  • Pixel 9
  • Pixel 9 Pro
  • Pixel 9 Pro XL
  • Pixel 9 Pro Fold

How to Install Android 15 on Pixel (Sideload)

As there are a few methods, some of them require specific files for your phone. Here are the requirements based on the method you are following.

Easy Way to Get Android 15

If you get the OTA update on your Pixel phone, but don’t know how to install it, then you can follow these steps. This will not work, if the OTA update is not available on your device. But you should follow this method before trying out other methods as it is the simple and risk free.

  1. Connect your Pixel to an Internet connection.
  2. Now go to Settings > System > Software Update.
  3. Tap on Check for Update and it will look any update available.
  4. If the Android 15 update is available, you can download and install it on your device.

This is the easiest way to install Android 15. If the OTA update is not available yet for your device, you can follow other methods mentioned below.

Sideload OTA Manually

If you want to skip the wait time, then this is the best method to install Android 15. First ensure you have no updates pending using the previous method. To install the Android 15 through the OTA image, your device should be running on the latest Android 14 build. Now let’s see the process.

  1. Copy the downloaded sdk tool file to your PC and extract it.
  2. Now copy the OTA image to the extracted SDK folder.
  3. On your Pixel phone, go to Settings > About Phone and tap seven times on Build Number. You will get a message “You are now a developer or You are already a developer.”
    How to Install Android 15 on Pixel Phones
  4. Now go to Settings > System > Developer Options. Here enable USB Debugging. it may ask for your device password.
  5. Now connect your phone to your PC. If you see a popup for USB Debugging, tap Allow.
  6. Go to the extracted sdk folder, and open the cmd or terminal in that location. You can also use cd command to set the location to sdk folder. Follow this to open cmd at any specific location.
  7. Now execute the following command to check if device is connected through adb:
    • adb devices
  8. If you see some device id, then your phone is connected. If not allow the debugging and execute the same command. Once the device is connected, enter the next command to recovery mode.
    • adb reboot recovery
  9. Now you can run the following command to sideload the ota zip file. Make sure to rename your ota zip file to ota_file.zip.
    • adb sideload ota_file.zip
  10. Once the sideload is done, reboot your phone by selecting your Reboot system now.

Now you disable the developer options and enjoy the Android 15.

Install Android 15 using Factory Image

This method is only for advanced users who are aware of the risk involved in unlocking the bootloader. For this method to work, the bootloader of your phone must be unlocked (steps below). It will also reset your phone, so make sure to backup your data. Also download the factory image and sdk folder from the requirement section.

Flash Factory Image Manually

This method will erase all your data so make sure to take backup. Also if you have already unlocked the bootloader of your phone, then you skip Step 8.

  1. Open Settings and go to About Phone. Tap seven times on Build Number to enable developer options.
  2. Go back to main Settings and open Developer Options. Here enable USB Debugging to use ADB. Also enable OEM Unlocking.
    How to Install Android 15 on Pixel Phones
  3. As mentioned in the requirements, you must have downloaded the sdk platform tools. Extract it on your PC and remember the extracted folder location.
  4. Extract the Factory Image that you have downloaded on your computer. Copy the extracted factory image files inside the sdk platform tools folder.
  5. Now connect your pixel phone to your PC using USB. Open cmd (command prompt) at the sdk platform folder location. Follow this guide to open cmd at specific location. You can also use cd command to navigate to the required directory.
  6. In the command windows enter the following command to check if device is connected.
    • adb devices
  7. The above command will return your device id. If not, you must have got a pop-up on your phone, Allow debugging and try the same command again. Once connected, enter the below adb command to boot your phone into fastboot mode.
    • adb reboot bootloader
  8. Once your phone is in fastboot mode, enter the below command to unlock bootloader (It will wipe all the data from your phone).
    • fastboot flashing unlock
  9. If you see as confirmation, select Yes or Confirm using physical buttons. And wait for the unlock. Your device bootloader will be unlocked.
  10. Now you need to flash the flash-all file. For windows flash .bat file and for mac flash the .sh file. for this type the name of the file with extension and press enter. Example for windows you can enter:
    • flash-all.bat
  11. It will now install the Android 15 on your Pixel. And after that your phone will reboot into the system.

If you want, you can now relock the bootloader using the below command. Boot your phone to fastboot mode following the same steps as above and then execute the below command.

Fastboot flashing lock

Flash Factory Image using Android Flash Tool

  1. Make sure the bootloader is unlocked, or follow up to step 8 from last method. Also enable USB Debugging in Developer options.
  2. Open the Factory Image file page. Scroll down and look for your device. Next to Android 15 factory image link, you will see the flash link. Tap on it and it will open the Android Flash Tool.
    flash android 15 factory image
  3. Allow adb access and it will detect your device. Or you can manually click on Add New Device, then select the device model and click on Connect.
    How to Install Android 15 on Pixel Phones
  4. Follow the on screen instructions and you will have Android 15 running on your Pixel in no time. You can lock the bootloader following the steps mentioned above.

So this is everything on how to install Android 15 on Pixel phones. You can now enjoy Android 15. In case you have any queries, let us know in the comment section.

Also Check:

Explore Stories

AUTHOR.

Photo of author

Ashutosh singh

Computer Science graduate and tech enthusiast. Love testing new tech gadgets ever since my first windows phone from Samsung. Working as a technical writer for more than five years, and I believe I have also developed good SEO skills. In my spare time, I like watching movies, and playing games.

Leave a Comment

Share to...