How to Install the Android N Developer Preview 4 Right Now

This guide will explain how to easily install the latest Android N Betafor Google’s Nexus smartphones and tablets. Google surprisinglyunveiled the new update in March, announced it was stable at Google IO, and have now released a 4th beta preview. With the Android N update moving along, below we go over what you need to know and how to get it right now.

As of right now the upcoming Android N update is available as a developer preview for anyone with a compatible device willing to flash the Factory Images. Google also offers a beta program with over the air update as well. On May 18th Google confirmed N is still on track for a release this summer, and today released what’s likely the last developer preview and final version of Android N before the global release.

Read: Android 6.0 vs Android 5.1.1 Lollipop: What’s New

First we’ll mention the over-the-air beta process, which is the easiest and quickest way to get Android N, and updates. Users can also download the Android N System Factory Image which contains all the files needed to install a stock version of Android N on the Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6, Nexus 9, Pixel C, Nexus Player, and select Android One devices. Currently there is no support for the original Nexus 5. Get the Android N Beta 4 release right now.

Those who’ve already signed up for the beta can expect an over the air update notification to arrive soon, or manually install the latest release following our instructions below.

This is essentially everything that you would download as an OTA update for regular Android updates, although Google stresses this is an early version of Android, which isn’t finished, and shouldn’t be used on daily driver smartphones. That said, Google is calling it stable, and the changelog mentions this has the final Android N API 24 package and apps can be published to the Google Play Store with full support.

Update: On May 18th at Google IO the company released the Android N Developer Preview 3 update with Android VR, improved performance, better multi-tasking and much more. Google is calling this a “stable beta” that’s good enough to be used daily. All prior releases were buggy, slow, and not what they considered stable.

Update #2: As of June 15th we’re not on the Android N Developer Preview 4, for all compatible devices, final APIs, and finished software. This is likely the best and most stable version of Android N yet, and the last developer preview before the global release date which could arrive in July.

Android N Beta

Just like the past releases, those who are interested in trying Android N preview 4 right now can do so with the instructions below, or simply use the beta sign up page. Simply click that link, have a supported device, and opt-in to the beta. Once done the device will receive an over-the-air update notification within a minute or so, download, and install the latest Android N preview. It’s already rolling out as version “NPD56N” so check for updates.

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What’s New

According to the official Google Blog Post and Ars Technica, noteworthy changes we can expect from the Android N developer preview are native multi-window support for tablets and smartphones for improved multi-tasking, direct reply to notifications right from the pulldown bar, bundled notifications for a cleaner look for similar notifications, and significant improvements to Android Doze, which saves battery life. Doze puts Android into a deep-sleep low-power mode to save battery, and with Android N this will happen whenever the screen is turned off, not just when untouched for extended periods.

Of course, we can expect loads of changes, new features, improvements and other things to be revealed as more users try Android N, Google releases updated developer previews and more. Stay tuned for more details, and read on to install it right now.

This guide will show you how to install the latest Nexus Android N Beta software release. This is something you can do from Windows, Mac, Linux or ChromeOS. There are multiple ways this can be done, and lots of things that can go wrong, but below are the easiest steps without spending hours setting up all of Google’s developer software. Again, this isn’t final software and an extremely early look, so proceed with caution.

This latest DP4 release also has a lot of changes, which can be found here.

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How to Install ADB on Windows, Mac, Ubuntu & ChromeOS

Before you can install the Android N Preview to the Nexus 5x, Nexus 6p, or others you will need to install ADB and Fastboot to your computer. This is a program that runs on your PC/Mac to connect to your Android device through a USB cable and flash the Android software to your device.

Installing ADB and Fastboot is one of the most annoying parts of installing Android factory images, but several new tools make it incredibly easy.

How to Install ADB on Windows

If you are using a Windows machine, including up to Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 you can use the 15 second adb installer to streamline the process. We’ll confirm Windows 10 momentarily.

Download the ADB installer for Windows. Find the file, right-click on it and choose Run as Administrator. When prompted you need to give the app access to run as an administrator. After the app launches type a Y and enter to select yes to Install ADB & Fastboot, to intsll ADB/Fastboot systemwide and to install Drivers. When a new window pops up follow the steps to install the drivers.

After this is installed you should be ready to install the Android N Beta on your Nexus smartphone or tablet.

How to Install ADB on Mac, Linux & ChromeOS

Nexus Tools makes it easy to install ADB on a Mac, Linux or even ChromeOS. All you need to do is open Terminal on your computer and past in the code from xda. Open terminal by going to search, and simply typing Terminal and opening the program.

This will install ADB and Fastboot on Mac, Linux and Chrome OS without the need to do anything else. It’s extremely easy, and avoids all the ADB package mess that typically takes much longer to complete.

After the script completes you can type ADB or Fastboot to start running either program. This is where you’ll need to be to flash the new Android N system images provided by Google onto your device. Remember to head into settings > developer options and enable USB Debugging first.

How to Install the Android N Beta Now

The first thing you need to do is download the just released Android N Developer Preview System Image for your device. You can find them at the links below. You’ll have to agree to the terms that this is a preview copy only and not final, and then proceed. We’ve already noticed a few features missing, so again, proceed at your own risk. Below are the Developer Preview 4 download links.

• Nexus 5X Android N Image
• Nexus 6 Android N Image
• Nexus 6P Android N Image
• Nexus 9 Android N Image
• Pixel C Tablet Android N Image
• Nexus Player Android N Image

There is also a download for Android N on the Xperia Z3. You will need to unzip these files to a folder you can access, we just unzipped it to our Mac desktop. After you have the Android N preview 4 system image unzipped you will need to find this folder and type cmd into the address bar on Windows, or open terminal and change the folder to this folder on Mac, Linux or Chrome OS. Reminder, if you’re on a MAC you need to make sure terminal is running inside the folder you just unzipped.

If your Nexus is not bootloader unlocked you should do that first. We could not install the Android N System image and update with the device locked. This will wipe your device and erase all user data, settings, pictures, etc.Repeat, this will erase everything!

Open a Terminal in the adb folder and type the command below then hit enter.

adb reboot bootloader

In Fastboot type:

fastboot oem unlock

Then hit enter. Follow the on-screen instructions and choose to erase the device. Wait a minute or so for it to unlock. This removes everything on your device.

Nexus 6P users will need to use “fastboot devices” and then “fastboot flashing unlock” to unlock the bootloader. Then proceed.

Install Android N Now on the Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus 6, Pixel C and more

Flash the Image

Now open the folder containing the unzipped Android N System Image file you just downloaded. Type cmd in the address bar. Type the following commands posted below and hit enter. On a Mac you can open Terminal in the folder by enabling terminal shortcuts in settings. This is key for Mac users. Head to System Preferences and select Keyboard > Shortcuts > Services. Find “New Terminal at Folder” in the settings and click the box. Now when you’re in Finder, just right-click a folder and you’re shown the open to open Terminal. Or just do it from the desktop where you unzipped the Factory image as shown below.

Once in terminal simply copy and paste the commands below to install the Android N beta to your Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus 9, or even the Nexus Player. No Nexus 5 support, sorry.

flash-all.bat

This will flash all of the needed files. If you are on a Mac or other computer you will need to type;

sudo ./flash-all.sh

This will push all of the files and update your device to the latest Android N developer preview beta. The files will start pushing and installing and your Nexus device may reboot and you will see an Android figure and then a moving Android logo. The logo screen may stay for a long time. Don’t unplug the device. This may last 10 minutes or longer. When Android prompts you to complete setup you can unplug the Nexus. It took less than two minutes for us.

It’s worth noting that some users may experience a “missing system.img” error and the installation will be aborted. This is because the way you’re trying to flash the update. Instructions on how to get around this can befound right here. Essentially users will need to unzip the update.zip folder and move all the images to the original folder we mentioned above, then manually flash them one by one, vs the flash-all command mentioned above. Only do this if you run into issues.

When the process finishes you can enter your information or Gmail account and start using Android N right now on your Nexus devices. We’ll be digging around and adding more details as they become available.

Android N Over-the-Air Update

For those who’d rather not toy around with all this stuff, we have good news. For one, Android 7.0 “N” will be released this summer, so the wait isn’t too long. And Google is offering an OTA update process for the developer preview this year too. Meaning no messing with the scary stuff above, and accepting an over the air update like any other previous update.

We’re still waiting for the over-the-air update to arrive for the developer preview 4, but it should begin arriving sometime today. Owners can wait for that, or manually flash it with the tools and instructions above.

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