Android 15 is finally here! It’s the latest and greatest version of Android straight from Google. After a long road of developer previews and betas, the update is now rolling out to Pixel devices. Here’s how you can update your phone to Android 15. Of course, if you don’t want to wait for the OTA to make its way to your device, we have you covered there too.
What Pixel devices are getting Android 15?
The following Pixel devices will receive an OTA for Android 15.
How to I update to Android 15?
Updating to Android 15 is quite easy. But before you start the installation process, there are a few things you might want to keep in mind. Make sure to backup your device beforehand. In case something goes wrong and you need to do a force reset, or your data gets corrupted during the installation process and you lose it all. Having a backup will definitely save you.
Now, there are a few ways that you can update to Android 15. First up, the easy way.
Update via OTA
Of course, you can wait for the update to land on your device. Here’s how to keep checking.
Open the Settings app.
Tap on System.
Then tap on Check for Updates.
Tap on Software updates.
Now tap on Check for updates.
If it pulls the update, go ahead and start downloading it. Now this will take some time, Pixel devices are notoriously slow at updating, even with the smallest of updates.
Sideload the OTA
This next method is a bit tougher, and has more steps. It should really only be used if your phone is for some reason, not getting the OTAs the regular way. Or, you’re just impatient and want the update now.
Basically, what you’re going to be doing here is taking the a zip of the files that were changed and pushing it over to your device to force the update. You’re going to want to pay close attention here, as there are many steps and if you do something wrong, it likely won’t work.
Firstly, you’re going to need to download the Android SDK from the Android Developer website.
Then you’re going to want to open a command prompt or terminal (depending on the operating system of your laptop or desktop) in the folder that has the platform-tools.
Enable developer settings and USB debugging
Now that the SDK is installed. The next step is to enable developer settings and USB debugging, which will allow you to move onto the next step.
To do this, first go into Settings.
Then scroll down to System and tap on About Phone.
Next, tap on the Build Number seven times. Once you have tapped on it seven times, a dialog at the bottom of the screen will appear saying “you are now a developer”.
Press back so you’re on the main settings page. Now you should see a Developer Options option.
Go into Developer Options and find USB Debugging.
Flip the switch for USB Debugging to on.
Now, plug your smartphone into your computer and click “OK” on the dialog box on your phone asking you to Allow USB Debugging while connected to that computer.
You can use the command adb devices in the command prompt or terminal to make sure that it is reading your device too. If it says “unauthorized” that means you need to give it permission still.
Unlocking the bootloader
Before you can do anything, you’re going to need to unlock the bootloader. That’s another big selling feature for a Pixel smartphone. The fact that you can easily unlock the bootloader.
To get started, you are going to need turn off your phone completely. Then press and hold the power button and volume down button. This will take you into the bootloader menu.
Alternatively, you can use the command prompt to do this and type in adb reboot bootloader.
Now, to actually unlock the bootloader, you will need to use the command fastboot flashing unlock.
Moving back over to your phone, it will pop up with a dialog box asking if you are sure you want to unlock the bootloader. As it will factory reset your device. Use the volume buttons to highlight either yes or no, then use the power button to confirm it.
Once that is done, type in fastboot reboot-bootloader.
Flashing an OTA Update Image
Now, it’s finally time to flash that OTA. Of course, if you’ve done this before, you probably don’t need to worry about those last two steps.
And this also works without unlocking the bootloader. But to actually flash the entire factory image, you will need to unlock it.
In that command prompt or terminal window, type in adb devices to make sure that your device is connected.
Now, you’re going to put the device into bootloader mode. You can turn it off and then press and hold the power button and volume down button. Or type adb reboot bootloader into the command prompt.
Now, you are going to use the volume down button and press it twice. Until you have scrolled down to the Recover Mode option. Then press power to select it. Once you do that, it’s going to look like your phone is restarting, then show an Android with a red exclamation mark over it. Now don’t freak out and think that your phone is dead, this is supposed to happen. Hold the power button and press volume up. Now you’ll be in recovery mode.
Being in Recovery Mode, you will not press the volume down button til you highlight the Apply Update From ADB option then press the power button to select it.
In command prompt, type in adb sideload [OTA file].zip as the command. You’ll change the [OTA file] to the name of the ota file. It’s usually easier to rename the file, so it’s not a random string of numbers and letters.
In Recovery Mode, it will show the status of the update being pushed to your phone. Depending on the size, it could take a few minutes before it is completely pushed. But once it is, the phone will reboot back to the regular Android screen.
And then you’re all set. You’ve successfully sideloaded an OTA to your Pixel smartphone.
That’s just how easy it is to update your Google Pixel smartphone to Android 15.
