How To Get Android Q Right Now

Michael Grothaus 14/03/2019 – 1:59pm

But be warned: beta is beta.

Google just dropped the first beta to its upcoming Android operating system. It looks like Android Q is going to be packed with tons of new features and even more refinements. Announcing the first beta, Google said:

"As the mobile ecosystem evolves, Android is focused on helping users take advantage of the latest innovations, while making sure users' security and privacy are always a top priority. Building on top of efforts like Google Play Protect and runtime permissions, Android Q brings a number of additional privacy and security features for users, as well as enhancements for foldables, new APIs for connectivity, new media codecs and camera capabilities, NNAPI extensions, Vulkan 1.1 support, faster app startup, and more."

Unfortunately, Android Q isn’t going to be available for consumers until much later in the year. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t get it on your device today. We’ll outline the steps on how to do so below.

Android Q Beta: A Word Of Warning

Though Google is making the Android Q beta available today, keep in mind that Android Q will not be a stable release until it ships to the public later this year. Running betas could severely affect your devices and your files—in other words, the software is a “beta” for a reason.

Betas are naturally full of bugs. That’s WHY they’re betas. The point of beta testing is to find the bugs and squash them. And betas can have some nasty bugs that can potentially cripple your Android phone. And manufacturers’ warranties generally do not cover beta software–even if you’re a legitimate developer.

That means if a beta bricks your Android, you could be out of luck. Time to buy a new one. So proceed down this road with extreme caution and only travel it if you are completely fine with something going disastrously wrong with your phone.

Android Q Beta: What Phone Do I Need?

The bummer for people who do want to try out the beta of Android Q is you need to own a Google Pixel phone to do so. Right now Google is not releasing the beta for any other Android devices.

The good news is that Google is supporting Android Q Beta 1 on every Pixel device they’ve ever made. Yep, that’s right: even the original Pixel smartphone can run Android Q beta 1. Here’s the full list of compatible devices right now:

• Pixel
• Pixel XL
• Pixel 2
• Pixel 2 XL
• Pixel 3
• Pixel 3 XL

Android Q Beta: How Do I Get It?

If you’ve got a Pixel device, you’re ready to get the Android Q beta. The first thing you need to do is go to Android’s official beta website here: https://www.google.com/android/beta. Sign in with your Google account and then follow the steps to register your Pixel device for the beta program.

After the registration process is complete you’ll get access to the Android Q beta, which you can then install on your device. The good news is that after that you’ll be able to get Android Q beta updates over the air via Android’s software update.

You’ll keep getting Android Q beta updates on your Pixel as the development of the OS proceeds and you’ll be among the first to be able to get access to the Golden Master edition (the one that ships to consumers) when Google releases it later this year.