How to install Android 14 on your Pixel right away

Google kicked off the new Android development and testing cycle with the Android 14 developer preview 1 release a few days ago. It gives us a very early look at what the team has in store for the next Android version. As the name suggests, the build is recommended for developers so that they can prepare their applications for the upcoming Android feature and changes. They are also able to share feedback with the Android team to help them get the new Android version ready for prime time when it enters the stable release.

An early developer build also means there could be performance stability issues and you may even see vital features not working as intended. These are the reasons it is advised you should not install Android developer build unless you are a developer, especially on your daily driver. But if you wish to proceed with Android 14 installation after knowing all the risks involved, you can follow the steps mentioned ahead.

Android 14 developer preview 1 eligible devices

Google has released the Android 14 developer preview build only for select Pixel devices:

• Pixel 7 Pro
• Pixel 7
• Pixel 6 Pro
• Pixel 6
• Pixel 6a
• Pixel 5
• Pixel 5a
• Pixel 4a with 5G

Android 14 installation pre-requisites

The first thing you need is obviously an Android 14 eligible smartphone which we have listed above. You will need to have a PC running Windows, macOS, Linux, or Chrome OS. It should have internet connectivity and a supported browser (Google Chrome recommended). You should have a good quality USB cable to connect your smartphone and PC. We recommend using the cable that came bundled with the smartphone retail box.

One important thing you need to remember is Android 14 DP1 installation requires unlocking the bootloader of your phone. This is a process that wipes all the data and your device gets factory reset. This is a one-time thing and once you have the developer build installed, you will receive all future builds as an over-the-air (OTA) update.

There are two ways you can install the Android 14 developer preview on your Pixel device. One is using the Android Flash Tool which is a lot more convenient and easier to follow for even regular users. The second one is flashing the device manually which is usually done by advanced users. We will cover the one with the flash tool as it is pretty straightforward and as a user, you have less chances of running into issues.

Install Android 14 using Android Flash Tool

1. Install Google USB Driver on your Windows PC if you do not have it already.
2. On your Pixel phone, visit Settings > About Phone > Build Number and tap on the build number seven times. This will enable developer options on the device.
3. Visit developer options on your phone and enable OEM Unlocking and USB debugging options.
4. Connect your Pixel to the PC using the USB cable you have.
5. Visit the Android Flash Tool website on the Chrome browser and click the Get Started button.
6. Click Allow ADB Access to proceed.
7. Choose the device you have from the list of options. You will need to allow USB debugging on your smartphone as well.
8. Next up, all you need to do is follow the on-screen steps, and voila. You will have Android 14 running on your Pixel device.

This is how you can have the latest Android 14 running on your Pixel with ease. If you have any particular questions or doubts, feel free to ask them in the comments section below.