Google is busy working on Android 16 and is at the stage of bringing the stable version to the public. However, Google has already started testing the first Android 16 based feature drop update, which will bring the recently revealed Material 3 Expressive redesign. If you have a Google Pixel smartphone and want to try the Material 3 redesign early, you can install the Android 16 QPR1 Beta on your device.
In this guide, we will be taking you through the steps to install Android 16 QPR1 on supported Google Pixel devices. Let’s get started.
How to get Android 16 QPR1 Beta on Google Pixel
Before we take a look at the steps on how you can install Android 16 QPR1 on your Google Pixel, let’s first look at which Google Pixel devices are supported to install the Android 16 QPR1 beta.
Supported Google Pixel Devices
- Pixel 6
- Pixel 6a
- Pixel 6 Pro
- Pixel 7
- Pixel 7a
- Pixel 7 Pro
- Pixel 8
- Pixel 8a
- Pixel 8 Pro
- Pixel 9
- Pixel 9a
- Pixel 9 Pro
- Pixel 9 Pro Fold
- Pixel 9 Pro XL
- Pixel Fold
- Pixel Tablet
If you have any of the above Google Pixel smartphones, you can follow the steps listed below on how to download and install the Android 16 QPR beta to your Google Pixel device. There are two ways to get the Android 16 QPR beta.
Join The Beta Program
One of the simplest and easiest ways to get Android 16 QPR Beta on your Google Pixel is by signing up for the beta program online.
- On your Google Pixel, head over to the Android Beta website.
- Click on the Opt-In button to join the beta.
- As long as you have signed in with the same Google Account on your Google Pixel and the website, you should be able to join the beta right away.
- Now that you have opted to join the Android beta, in an hour or so you should get the Android 16 QPR beta via OTA update that you can check in Settings.
The Android 16 QPR beta can take some time to show up as an update for your device. But, if you want to get it right away, you can sideload its firmware. However, it is a complicated method, so make sure to back up your device data.
Sideload Android 16 QPR Beta on Google Pixel
If you don’t want to wait for Google to release the Android 16 QPR beta update to your Google Pixel, you can easily download the firmware and sideload it to your Pixel smartphone. Just follow these steps.
- First off, head over to the Android Developer website to download the OTA Images for Android 16 for your Google Pixel.
- Please ensure that you click on the download link of the OTA that has been made for your specific Google Pixel model. Also make sure your device is updated to latest stable version.
- On your phone, go to Settings > About Phone. Tap Build Number seven times to enable developer options.
- Go back to Settings and navigate to System > Advanced > Developer Options. Here enable USB Debugging.
- Connect your Google Pixel to your PC using the USB cable. Make sure you have the ADB Platform tools installed on your PC. If not, download them from here.
- Copy the downloaded OTA zip file into the Platform Tools folder.
- Open the Command Prompt on your Windows PC from the platform tools folder. Follow the guide to open cmd at any specific location. On Mac you can right click on the folder and choose Open terminal at this location.
- Now, type in adb devices (On mac and Linux you may need to include ./ in the beginning on every command for eg, ./adb devices). It will show device id if your device is connected properly. If it ask for permission, allow debugging and enter the same command.
- Once the device is connected, execute adb reboot recovery command and your phone will boot into recovery mode.
- With the recovery menu open, use the volume down button to highlight the Apply Update via ADB option.
- Now, run the command adb sideload otafile.zip (replace otafile with the actual file name) and hit the Enter key. Example, adb sideload pixel7ota.zip.
- It will take some time for the update to be installed to your Google Pixel device. With the update complete, select the Reboot System Now option.
- Your Google Pixel will now reboot and will be running on Android 16 QPR beta with Material 3 Expressive redesign.
Closing Thoughts
This concludes the complete guide on how you can sideload or install the Android 16 QPR beta on your specific Google Pixel smartphone. If you have queries or doubts, feel free to leave them in the comments section below.
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