As usual, although Android Pie has barely arrived on most Android handset, here comes the next version: Android Q. No one knows what it's going to be called yet, but those who want to try it out can — provided, of course, they're using any of Google's Pixel phones. Yes, even the original Pixel is included.
To be clear, this just refers to the first developer preview, which means it's primarily for developers because they're probably the only ones who can deal with the risks associated with using unfinished software. In other words, those without knowledge about what to do in case a device gets bricked should maybe think twice about downloading Android Q. It'll be released as a stable download, of course, but that's likely months away.
Users who aren't concerned about any of that, then prance ahead. For now, Android Q only supports the Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, and, as mentioned, both the original Pixel phones.
The installation process is pretty straightforward, but do know that in case an issue occurs and it's so bad a user wants to revert to Android 9 Pie to get rid of it, the phone will have to be completely reformatted.
Here's how to install Android Q on any Pixel phone:
Make Sure To Back Up your Device
The most critical process of any update? Backing up data. Simply open the Settings menu, navigate to System, and choose Backup. If the feature is turned on, it'll display the last time it backed up data. If not, turn it on.
Backing a phone's entire contents may take a while, but it's an important step that should never be skipped. In case Android Q goes awry for some reason, users can rest easy knowing their precious data is stored safely in the cloud, ready to be downloaded anytime.
Enroll In The Android Q Beta
After backing up, users must then enroll in the beta by simply logging in using their Google account, then selecting the compatible device they'd like to install Android Q on. This way, they'll receive an over-the-air update, just like getting a stable version of Android.
Once enrolled, Google will notify the user about their status and tell them a system update for their enrolled device is ready. Simply follow the on-screen instructions to install Android Q successfully. After that, Google will send a notification as soon as new developer previews arrive, prompting users to download and install them akin to a system update.
