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Google has released Android 17 in beta for Pixel devices, skipping the usual Developer Preview given the arrival of new Canary builds, and you can install it now. Here’s how.
Google is supporting all Tensor-powered Pixel smartphones with Android 17, dating back to 2021’s Pixel 6 series and coming up to the latest Pixel 10 phones.
The Android 17 Beta is available for all of the following devices:
This will be the last major Android OS update for the Pixel 6 series (not Pixel 6a), with updates set to end in October 2026. Google’s latest Pixel 10a release, is not yet supported.
As of April 16, the latest Android 17 Beta is Beta 4 – this is the last scheduled Android 17 beta build ahead of the QPR1 release, which should arrive sometime in May or June.
To get set up with beta releases of Android 17, you’ll visit google.com/android/beta and “Opt in” on your selected device. Any compatible Pixel (listed above) with your same Google account will be able to join the program on this page. Once opted in, you’ll be able to check for updates on your device to actually install the update. This usually happens within a few minutes to an hour, but can occasionally take longer. You can also opt out of future updates from this page.
After you’ve opted in, go to Settings > System > Software Updates > System Updates and hit the install button.
By far, the fastest way to get a new version of Android on your Pixel is to sideload it. It’s a relatively easy process, but you’ll need to get set up to do it. Here’s how.
IMPORTANT: While Android Beta releases are typically safe, it’s in your best interest to either unlock your bootloader or, at the very least, turn on OEM Unlock in developer settings BEFORE installing an OTA file.
To get started, you’ll first need to download the files needed to actually put Android 17 Beta 3 on your Pixel.
There are two ways to do so. First, you can install a Factory Image, which wipes your phone and starts everything from scratch. Alternatively, and the way we’ll detail here, there’s an OTA file, which installs over your current version of Android without wiping your phone.
You can download the beta OTA file from Google’s Full OTA Image hosting site. That site contains OTA downloads for sideloading different updates, including the Android 17 Beta, on every Pixel and Nexus device, so you’ll need to scroll down to ensure you are downloading the file that is associated with your device. OTA downloads for Android 17 Beta 4 are provided HERE.
For the current Android 17 Beta, only Pixel 6/Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7/Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel 8/Pro, Pixel 8a, Pixel Fold, Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Pixel 9a, Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, Pixel 10 Pro Fold, and Pixel Tablet are available. You won’t be able to install it on the original Pixel/XL, Pixel 2/XL, Pixel 3/XL, Pixel 3a/XL, Pixel 4/XL, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5, or Pixel 5a.
Pixel 10a has still not been added.
Next, you’ll boot your Pixel into Recovery mode. To do this, fully power down your handset. Then hold down on the Power button and the Volume down button at the same time until you get to the Bootloader page. You will know you’re in the right place when you see an Android figure lying down on the screen.
Using your volume buttons, scroll down to Recovery mode. Select this by clicking the power button. Alternatively, if you’re already connected to a computer with ADB, you can use the reboot recovery command.
Now, you should see a smaller Android lying down with an exclamation mark over it. From here, press the Power button and the Volume up button for about a second to fully enter Recovery mode. Releasing the Volume up button will send you into Recovery.
Using the volume buttons, scroll down to Apply update from ADB and select it with the power button. This will launch a mostly blank screen with text near the bottom directing you on how to sideload an OTA.
This step is important as it’s the only way to transfer the downloaded OTA file to your handset. You’ll need to have ADB and Fastboot tools in a handy place. You can download ADB tools from the Android Developers website, either by installing Android Studio as a whole or the Command Line tools. You can also use the Universal ADB Drivers from ClockWorkMod, which can make the process a bit easier on Windows devices.
Personally, I unload the tools from the Android Developers website and add a shortcut to “cmd.exe” for a quick and easy installation method. For this, you’ll need to put the downloaded software build into the same folder as the “cmd.exe” file.
As long as everything is in place, you can now sideload the OTA file. On Windows, ensure your Command Prompt is directed to the ADB tools folder and type in adb sideload. If you’re on macOS or Linux, do the same thing in Terminal (use “cd” and “ls” commands to make sure your Terminal is pointed at the right folder – Google it if you need help) but type in ./adb sideload. You’ll then need to insert the file name of the .zip folder you downloaded from Google and hit enter to start the process.
If everything is working properly, you should see some dialog on your computer and handset that shows the process of the sideload and installation process.
Once the OTA is done installing, you will be taken back to Recovery Mode. The last step to jump into the new update is to select the Reboot now option with your power button.
Questions? Let us know in the comments.
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Last updated April 16, 2026
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Ben is a Senior Editor for 9to5Google.
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