Android Codenamed "O" is the upcoming version of Google’s mobile operating system, but you don’t need to wait until the release date to get your hands on the latest features. If you have a compatible Nexus or Pixel device, you can install the developer preview of Android O beta right now.
You can get Android O on these modern Nexus devices:
- Nexus 6P
- Nexus 5X
- Nexus Player
- Pixel C
- Pixel
- Pixel XL
How to Enroll in the Android O Beta Program
If you have one of the devices mentioned above connected to your Google account, you can head here to get started with the beta program. After you sign in with your Google account, make sure to read all of the caveats before you just start clicking buttons. In particular: if you ever want to opt out of the beta program and roll back to the latest stable version of Android, your device will have to be wiped with a factory reset.
Once you’ve confirmed that you’re cool with the fact this may be super buggy on your device, you can simply hit the “Enroll Device” button below the eligible device you want to push N to.
A popup will appear with a standard set of this may wreck your device warnings, so if that doesn’t scare you off, click the checkbox and press the “Join beta” button.
Within a few minutes, the enrolled device should receive an update notification. This will install like any other update would—it downloads directly from Google, then flashes automatically.
Upon reboot, you’ll be running Android O!
How to Roll Back to Nougat
OK, so you gave Android O a shot, fell in love with all sorts of neat stuff about it, but ultimately just couldn’t handle the bugginess. There’s no shame in that, and it’s super easy to roll back to a stable version of Nougat.If you enrolled in the program using the OTA method, you need only go back to the Android Beta Program landing page and “unenroll” your device by clicking the button. Keep in mind here that this will perform a factory reset on your device, so if you’re OK with losing everything and starting over, go for it. There is currently no recommended way of rolling back without wiping the device. Back up anything you need before continuing!
