How to install Android 13 on Google Pixel
Android 13 is available now for select Google Pixel devices ahead of its rollout to the broader Android ecosystem. Although it is not Main Upgrade, there’s a lot to be excited about – here’s how to install Android 13 on Google Pixel devices.
What’s new in Android 13?
Android 12 arrived around this time last year as a major overhaul of the mobile operating system, but Android 13 is a much less impactful update. Most of the key changes on Android 13 are behind the scenes, with just a few user-facing changes like a new Easter egg, more Material You color options, and more.
Which Google Pixel devices support Android 13?
While Google is extending its support schedules overall, Pixel devices still only get major upgrades for three years. However, there are nine devices that are eligible for Android 13. This includes:
- Pixel 4/XL
- Pixel 4a
- Pixel 4a 5G
- pixels 5
- Pixel 5a
- Pixel 6/Pro
- Pixel 6a
How to Install Android 13 on Google Pixel
The easiest way to get Android 13 on your Google Pixel smartphone is to use the system’s built-in update tool. To get the update to download to your device, go to Settings > System > System update. A quick press on the “Check for updates” button. should Pull down the update.
This will generally download and install the update on your device within a few hours, but you may have to wait up to a couple of days. Also, the installation process takes a bit longer this way, since the update will be installed in the background while your phone is still on and will be applied on a later restart.
How to sideload Android 13 on Pixel
If you’re impatient, you can get Android 13 on a Google Pixel phone faster by sideloading an OTA file.
- Download the OTA file
- Boot up in recovery mode
- Navigate to ADB Sideload
- Connect the handset to a computer that has ADB tools installed
- Enter the sideload command
- Reboot your phone
1. Download the OTA file
To get started, you must first download the beta OTA file from Google’s full OTA image hosting site. This page contains OTA downloads for sideloading various updates, including Android 13, on any Pixel and Nexus device. So you need to scroll down to make sure you download the related file your Device. Downloads are available here.
Note: This process will not erase your device, but it’s a good idea to back up any irreplaceable data in case something goes wrong.
2. Boot into recovery mode
Next, boot your Pixel into recovery mode. To do this, turn off your handset completely. Then press and hold power button and the volume down button exactly the same time until you get to the bootloader page. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see an Android character lying on the screen.
Scroll down with your volume buttons recovery mode. Select this by clicking the power button. Alternatively, if you are already connected to a computer with ADB, you can use the reboot recovery Command.
You should now see a smaller android with an exclamation mark over it. From here, press the power button and the Volume up button about a second to fully enter recovery mode. Release of increase volume button sends you to recovery.
3. Navigate to ADB Sideload
Use the volume keys to scroll down to Apply the update of ADB and select it with the power button. This will launch a mostly blank screen with text at the bottom instructing you how to sideload an OTA like this for Android 13.
4. Connect the handset to a computer that has ADB tools installed
This step is important as it is the only way to transfer the downloaded OTA file to your handset; You must have ADB and Fastboot tools in one convenient place. You can download ADB tools from the Android Developers website. ClockWorkMod’s universal ADB drivers also make the process much easier when you’re on a Windows computer compared to the drivers that are already on your computer.
To verify that your connection is working, open Command Prompt (Windows) in that folder and type ADB devices. Your phone may ask for permission at this point, and you should click the option to remember this computer too. When things work right ADB devices shows your device as connected. You cannot charge to two devices at the same time using this method.
5. Enter the sideload command
With everything in place, you can now sideload the OTA file. On Windows, ensure your command prompt is directed to the ADB Tools folder and type adb sideload. If you’re on macOS or Linux, do the same thing in the terminal (use the “cd” and “ls” commands to make sure your terminal is pointing to the right folder, google it if you need help), but type it in ./adb sideload. You then need to paste the filename of the .zip folder you downloaded from Google and press Enter to start the process.
If everything is working correctly, you should see a dialog on your computer and handset showing the process of sideloading and the installation process.
6. Restart your phone
Once the OTA installation is complete, go back to recovery mode. The last step to jump into the new update is to select from Restart now Option with your power button.
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