How to Install Android 13 Beta

This guide walks you through installing the Android 13 Beta on a supported Google Pixel device. It covers the two official methods—enrolling in the beta program and manually flashing a factory image—plus what to do if something goes wrong. Before starting, back up your data and ensure your device is fully charged.

What You’ll Need

A supported Google Pixel device (Pixel 4, 4a, 4a 5G, 5, 5a, 6, 6 Pro, or Pixel 6a).
A Google account (for the beta program method).
A computer with a USB cable (for manual flashing).
Android SDK Platform Tools (ADB and Fastboot) installed on your computer.
USB debugging enabled on your phone (for manual flashing).
A full backup of your phone’s data.

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Enroll in the Beta Program (Easiest)

On your Pixel phone, go to Settings > System > System update and check that your device is running the latest stable Android 12 update.
Open a web browser on your phone or computer and go to the official Android Beta for Pixel site (search “Android Beta for Pixel”).
Sign in with the Google account that is set as the primary account on your Pixel device.
Find your device in the list of eligible phones and tap Enroll.
Review the terms and conditions, then tap Join beta.
On your phone, go to Settings > System > System update and tap Check for updates. The Android 13 Beta should appear as an OTA update.
Tap Download and then Install. Your phone will restart and install the update. This can take 10–30 minutes.

Method 2: Manually Flash the Factory Image (Advanced)

Download the Android 13 Beta factory image for your specific Pixel model from the Android Developers website. Make sure you download the correct build for your device’s codename (e.g., “flame” for Pixel 4, “bramble” for 4a 5G).
Extract the downloaded ZIP file to a folder on your computer.
Enable Developer Options on your phone: go to Settings > About phone and tap Build number seven times.
In Settings > System > Developer options, enable USB debugging.
Connect your phone to your computer with a USB cable. When prompted, allow USB debugging on your phone.
Open a command prompt or terminal on your computer in the folder where you extracted the factory image.
Run the command adb reboot bootloader to reboot your phone into fastboot mode.
Once in fastboot mode, run the flash-all.bat script (Windows) or flash-all.sh (Mac/Linux) from the extracted folder. This will erase your device and install Android 13 Beta.
Wait for the script to complete. Your phone will reboot automatically. The first boot may take several minutes.

Common Mistakes

Not backing up data: Both methods can erase your data, especially manual flashing. Always back up before starting.
Enrolling with the wrong Google account: If you use a secondary account on the beta site, the update won’t appear on your phone.
Downloading the wrong factory image: Each Pixel model has a specific image. Downloading the wrong one will cause a flash failure.
Not enabling USB debugging: Without it, ADB commands won’t work, and the flash will fail.
Interrupting the update: Do not unplug the phone or close the command window during flashing.

Tips

Beta software is unstable. Install it on a secondary device if possible.
Keep your device plugged in during the OTA update to avoid battery drain.
If you encounter bugs, report them through the Android Beta Feedback app (preinstalled).
To revert to the stable version, unenroll from the beta site. You’ll receive an OTA that wipes your data.
For manual flashing, use a USB cable that supports data transfer, not just charging.

Troubleshooting

Update not showing after enrolling

Wait up to 24 hours—beta rollouts are staggered. Also, ensure you’re signed in with the same Google account on the beta site and your phone.

Flash fails with “device not found”

Reinstall the USB drivers (Windows) or check that your phone is in fastboot mode and connected properly. Try a different USB port.

Phone stuck in a boot loop

Boot into recovery mode (press and hold Power + Volume Down while booting) and perform a factory reset. If that fails, reflash the factory image.

Apps crashing or not working

This is expected in beta. Check for app updates in the Play Store. If a critical app fails, consider reverting to stable.

Battery drains quickly

Beta builds often have battery issues. Give it a few days to settle, and check for updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will installing the beta delete my data?

Enrolling in the beta program via OTA usually preserves data, but manual flashing wipes everything. Always back up.

Can I downgrade to Android 12?

Yes. Unenroll from the beta site, and you’ll receive an OTA that reverts to stable Android 12. This will erase your device.

Is Android 13 Beta safe to use as a daily driver?

No. Beta software is for testing and may have bugs that affect performance, battery, and app compatibility.

Which Pixel devices are supported?

Pixel 4, 4a, 4a 5G, 5, 5a, 6, 6 Pro, and Pixel 6a are eligible for the Android 13 Beta.

Do I need a computer to install the beta?

No. The OTA method only requires a web browser and your phone.

What if I don’t have a Pixel phone?

Android 13 Beta is only available for Pixel devices. Other brands have their own beta programs, but not for stock Android.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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