Almost exactly one month ago, Google released Android P Developer Preview 2 during Google I/O. This was a couple of months after the first Developer Preview was released. Google seems to be ramping up development as they have just released Android P Developer Preview 3 and Android P Beta 2. It’s available now to install via OTA or download if you have a Google Pixel, Google Pixel XL, Google Pixel 2, or Google Pixel 2 XL.
Traditionally, the second Developer Preview has the big new features. We saw that with the addition of gestures, adaptive settings, Digital Wellbeing, and much more. Now that we’re on the third preview, we’re getting close to the official release of Android 9.0.
Android P Beta 2 Release Notes Summary
API level 28 Date: June 2018 Build: PPP3.180510.008 (See supported Android P Beta devices) Emulator support: x86 & ARM (32/64-bit) Security patch level: June 2018 Google Play services: 12.4.46 API diff: API 27 → API 28, DP2 → API 28
The big thing about this update is the final APIs (level 28). Developers can publish updates compiled against or targeting API 28. App updates pushed to the Play Store during the preview allow users to test compatibility on existing devices running Android P. Developers will soon be able to use ML Kit to generate Smart Reply suggestions in their own app, which is something Google has been testing recently. Lastly, the Android Beta partners will be receiving the update in the coming weeks. This includes the following devices:
- Essential Phone
- OnePlus 6
- Sony Xperia XZ2
- Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S
- Nokia 7 Plus
- Oppo R15 Pro
- Vivo X21
Download Android P Beta 2 on the Google Pixel & Pixel 2
Download links for the OTA and Factory Image files can be found in the chart below along with flashing instructions. Alternatively, you can sign up here for the Android Beta program. We will be diving deep into this update to find all the new changes.
How to Install Android P Beta 2 on the Google Pixel & Pixel 2
OTA Image Instructions
- Download the OTA image for your device
- Move it to the internal storage of your device
- Make sure you’ve set up ADB if you haven’t already
- Reboot to recovery with the following command:
adb reboot recovery - Select the option “Apply update from ADB”
- Sideload the OTA with the following command:
adb sideload <OTA_image.zip>
Factory Image Instructions
- Download the factory image for your device
- Extract the factory image zip on your PC
- Run the flash-all.bat if you’re on Windows or flash-all.sh if you’re on Mac/Linux. This will wipe all data on your device! If you want to flash the update without losing any data, please follow these instructions instead.
