How to Install Android 14 Developer Preview on Any Android Device

Just two days ago, Google released the second developer preview of Android 14 exclusively for Pixel devices. This release comes with a range of new features and improvements that developers can test and build their apps for the upcoming version of Android. However, if you don’t have a Pixel device and want to experience Android 14, don’t worry! You can still install the developer preview on any Android device that supports Project Treble.

Project Treble is an initiative by Google to streamline the Android update process and make it easier for device manufacturers to release updates faster. Essentially, it separates the vendor implementation from the Android OS framework, enabling faster updates without the need for device-specific modifications. If your Android device supports Project Treble, you can install the Android 14 developer preview and experience the latest features firsthand. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of installing Android 14 on your Android device.

What is an Android Developer Preview?

An Android Developer Preview is an early version of the upcoming Android operating system that Google releases to developers for testing purposes. It’s a way for developers to explore new features and APIs, test their apps for compatibility, and provide feedback to Google. Developer Previews are typically released several months before the official public release of the new Android version. They may be unstable and contain bugs, so they are not recommended for everyday use by regular users. Instead, they are intended for developers who want to prepare their apps for the new version of Android and provide feedback to Google on issues or bugs they encounter.

Checking Your Device’s Compatibility with the Android Developer Preview

Before installing the Android 14 Developer Preview on your device, it’s important to check if your device supports Project Treble. As we will be using a ported GSI ROM, it’s important to note that your phone should support Project Treble for the installation to work. You can check if your device supports Project Treble by downloading the Project Treble app from the Google Play Store. Once you’ve confirmed that your device supports Project Treble, you can proceed with the installation process.

However, please note that installing a Developer Preview on your device may cause stability issues or even brick your device, so proceed with caution and make sure to backup your device before proceeding.

Downloading Android 14 Developer Preview GSI

Before you can install Android 14 on your Project Treble phone, you need to download the Android 14 developer preview GSI image. You can find the developer preview Android 14 developer preview ported GSI ROM on the web by following the download link below.

Download: DP 2 GSI Ported

Installing Android 14 Developer Preview via TWRP

If you have installed TWRP on your Android device, you can follow these steps to install Android 14 developer preview. Here are the steps to install Android 14 Developer Preview via TWRP:

• Power off your phone.
• Boot into custom recovery mode (e.g. TWRP).
• In TWRP, select Wipe, and then swipe to wipe Dalvik Cache, Cache, System, and Data.
• Select Install, then navigate to the location where you saved the Android 14 GSI system image, and select it.
• Swipe to confirm the installation.
• Flash Magisk Zip (it’s needed for boot) in the same way as step 4 and 5.
• (Optional) Flash a custom kernel if available, following the same process as step 4 and 5.
• Reboot to the system.

This is the process for installing Android 14 using a custom recovery. Once your phone has rebooted successfully, you should now be running Android 14 on your Project Treble Phone.

Installing Android 14 via ADB Fastboot

Before installing Android 14 via fastboot, there are several steps you need to complete because the default system settings do not allow for the installation of non-stock software.

Step 1: Download Android SDK Platform Tools

To use fastboot commands, you need to have the Android SDK Platform Tools download on your PC. You can download and extract the Platform Tools from the below link.

Download: SDK Platform Tools

Step 2: Enable USB Debugging

To enable USB Debugging, follow these steps:

Step 2.1: Enable Developer Options

• Go to “Settings” > “About Phone” and tap on the “Build Number” multiple times until you see a message saying “Developer options enabled.

Step 2.2: Enable OEM Unlocking

• Go to “Settings” > “System” > “Developer Options” and turn on the “OEM Unlocking” toggle.

Step 2.3: Enable USB Debugging

• Also, make sure to enable the USB Debugging toggle in the same “Developer Options” menu. If you see a warning, ignore it and proceed with the toggle.

Once these steps are completed, you are ready to move on to the next step of installing Android 14 via fastboot commands.

Step 3: Unlocking the Bootloader

To unlock the bootloader, you need to access the command prompt in the Platform Tools folder that you have downloaded. To do this, follow these steps:

• Open the folder where the Platform Tools are stored.
• Type “cmd” in the top bar to open the Command Prompt. (Like in Picture)

• In Command Prompt type the “adb devices”
• You see in mobile screen “Allow USB Debugging” enable that.

• After allow USB debugging type “fastboot flashing unlock” and enter.
• In final for Unlocking the Bootloader type in Command Prompt “fastboot flashing unlock_critical”

Step 4: Boot into Fastboot Mode

The next step after unlocking the bootloader is to boot your phone into fastboot mode. Simply type this command.

adb reboot bootloader

Step 5: Installing Android 14 via Fastboot

Once you have completed all the necessary steps, you are ready to install Android 14 on your phone using ADB Fastboot. Follow these commands:

• Flash the vbmeta.img file: (Download Link)

fastboot --disable-verity --disable-verification flash vbmeta vbmeta.img

• Wipe the system partition:

fastboot erase system

• Flash the Android 14 GSI image:

fastboot flash system system.img

• Factory reset the device:

fastboot -w

• Finally, reboot the phone:

fastboot reboot

Congratulations, you have successfully installed Android 14 on your device using fastboot. This guide provided you with step-by-step instructions on how to install the latest Android version using fastboot commands.

Conclusion

In conclusion, installing Android 14 developer preview on any Project Treble phone is a relatively straightforward process. Whether you choose to install it via custom recovery or fastboot commands, it is essential to ensure that your phone supports Project Treble, has an unlocked bootloader, and is equipped with the necessary software and tools. This guide has covered all the important steps and details to help you successfully install Android 14 on your device. Now you can explore the latest Android version and enjoy the latest features and improvements.