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Google released the first developer preview of the upcoming Android O update several months ago, but the Android beta program was still busy with Android 7.1 Nougat at the time. Now, Google says a full beta test of Android O will begin soon, and that means the Android Nougat beta is now closed.
The current build of Android O (which has neither a name nor a version number) is an early alpha of the platform. The only way to install it is to connect your eligible phone to a PC and use the Android SDK tools to flash the system image. It’s not terribly difficult if you’re familiar with Android, but it’s not the sort of thing average consumers should be attempting. In order to flash these images, you need to have a recent Nexus device or a Pixel. Additionally, the bootloader must be unlocked, which again requires a little setup with the SDK tools.
Google says the Android O beta is “coming soon” when you visit the Android beta program page. This is the preferred way to test upcoming versions of Android; the betas are usually more stable and they’re vastly easier to install. After signing in, you can choose which of your eligible devices (still just Nexus and Pixel) you’d like to enroll. Beta program updates are delivered to your phone or tablet as an OTA update, so the boot loader can remain locked.
While Google did not provide a specific date for the launch of the Android O beta, it’s likely it will open up registrations next week during Google I/O. The company is expected to talk more about the upcoming version of Android in detail, and developers at the event will be able to learn more about how Android O will affect their apps. Some big changes are coming in Android O, too.
In Android O, Google is clamping down on what apps can do in the background. This is part of a trend that started in Marshmallow with Doze Mode, a way of putting apps to sleep while the device is idle. In Android O, apps will be limited in how often they can run actions from the background and request system information like location. This should allow for better battery life, but developers might need to modify the behavior of their apps. Android O will also include support for system-wide auto-fill apps and notification channels for more granular control of interruptions. Developers need to know how to work within these restrictions in advance of Android O’s release.
If you’ve got a supported device and an adventurous spirit, keep an eye on the Android Beta page next week. Google I/O runs from May 17-19th.
