Install Android 14 on Google Pixel via ADB and Fastboot

The Google Pixel series is the first Android smartphone to get all the latest updates from Google. Either it is a security update or fully upgraded firmware. Now, we are looking forward to the latest and new version of Android for Google Pixel. If you can not wait for the official release, that would be later this year. You can install Android 14 on Google Pixel via ADB commands or Fastboot. In this guide, we will cover both methods.

Google has finally released the Android 14 developer preview to the public for beta testing. Initially, the developer preview version is only available to download if you signed up for the beta program. However, if you are in the beta testing program of Android 14, you will be getting regular updates of Android 14. So you can test the operating system, send the logs, and report the bugs to the developers. So they can make the operating system seamless and bug-free.

Disclaimer: The OS that we will flash using this guide is Developer Preview, not the official release of Android 14. You might come across some bugs, and you might be unable to use it as your daily driver.

Features of Android 14:

The Android 14 comes with new and improved features. For example, Google has improved haptic feedback along with notifications. Alongside, the following are some mention-worthy features introduced in the new operating system.

1. In Android 14, you can easily share Wi-Fi credentials with other Android users using the Android Nearby Share feature.
2. Introduction of new and cool theme-based wallpapers. Once you have selected a specific wallpaper, the color scheme of the whole interface is adapted to the wallpaper. Even the icons are according to the chosen theme. It gives a very smooth and consistent strategy for the entire interface.
3. After taking screenshots, you can add text, doodle on them, or add stickers according to your likes and dislikes.
4. Furthermore, the Android operating system now supports AVIF format pictures, known for their small size yet high quality.

Install Android 14 on Google Pixel via ADB:

Moving on to the guide, we will use two methods that can be utilised to flash Android 14 on Google Pixel. First, we will discuss the technique of using ADB commands to install Android 14 on Google Pixel.

This guide works on Google Pixel 3, Pixel 3a, Pixel 3 XL, Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a, Pixel 5, Pixel 6, and Pixel 6 Pro.

Prerequisites:

Now, moving on to the guide. First of all, you need to undergo some prerequisites:

• We will use ADB commands to install Android 14 on Google Pixel by flashing OTA files. First, you need to install ADB on your Windows or macOS operating system. Then, you can use this guide to download and install ADB on your computer.
• Secondly, you will have to download the OTA update from this link respective to your Pixel model. Remember, as we are sideloading the firmware via ADB. So, you need to download the file under the OTA heading from the link above.
• Enable USB Debugging on your Pixel:
  • Settings > About phone> Tap Build Number seven times to enable Developer Options, and then navigate to Settings > Developer Options > Enable USB Debugging.
• Connect your Pixel Device with your computer using Data Cable. If the prompts come on your phone screen, Allow it to connect to your computer.

Now we are done with the prerequisites, its time to install the Android 14 Developer Preview on Pixel:

1. First, download the OTA package from the prerequisites above and move it to the folder where ADB is located.
2. Now open the terminal window ( 1. press ALT + D 2. write CMD 3. Press Enter) in the same folder and enter the following command:

   • adb reboot recovery

3. After a reboot, you will see an Android figure in the background. Next, press and hold the Power key. While holding down the Power key, press the Volume Up key once and then release the Power key.
4. Now, your phone will be in the recovery menu.
5. In the recovery mode, now using the volume and power buttons, navigate and select “Apply Update from ADB.”
6. On the terminal of your computer, run the following command.

   • adb devices

7. Now, on the screen, you will see your phone’s serial number with sideload written next to it. It shows that your phone is connected in sideload mode with your computer.
8. On the terminal, enter the following command:

   • adb sideload "filename".zip

   • (for ease, you can rename the downloaded OTA file and rename it to a more accessible text. Instead of the filename, you have to enter the name of the file downloaded for flashing from the OTA subheading)
9. Now, the Android 14 Download Preview will be flashed on your Pixel phone. Once the process is complete, select the “Reboot System Now” command from the recovery menu.

Install Android 14 on Pixel via Fastboot (Full factory image)

You can install Android 14 on the Google Pixel phone if your bootloader is unlocked via flashing factory images. It usually deletes all the data present in your phone, but we will cover an extra step that can save the data present in your phone while flashing the factory image.

From the prerequisites of method one. You need to follow all of them. First, you need to install fastboot from the linked guide. Also, you need to enable USB debugging mode. Furthermore, this time, you need to download the factory image from the link above instead of downloading the OTA file.

1. First of all, extract the contents of the .zip file (factory image) and move the files to the ADB and fastboot folder.
2. Usually, the process is to flash the flash-sh.sh script file. Now, if you want to save the data that is present in your Google Pixel, open the flash-all.sh file (macOS) (flash-all.bat file if you are using Windows) using Notepad or any text editor.
3. Once the file is open, locate and remove the -w flag in the fastboot update command. It will prevent deleting the data present on your phone. However, while flashing the factory image, it is recommended to factory reset the phone. Suppose you don’t care about the data, which is all backed up on your Gmail/Google account. Then, you don’t need to make any changes to the file.
4. Connect your phone to your computer via a USB data cable.
5. Now, on your computer, in ADB and fastboot folder. Open the terminal ( 1. press ALT + D 2. write CMD 3. Press Enter) and enter the following command:

   • adb reboot bootloader

6. Now your phone will boot into fastboot mode.
7. On your computer, write the following command.

   • flash-all

8. It will run the flash-all. sh on your MAC OS computer. For example, suppose you are running a Windows computer. Click and run the flash-all.bat file. It is an executable file.
9. Wait for the phone to flash the factory image. Then, with a boot, your phone will start into Android 14.

Also, check out: How to install stock firmware on Google Pixel Smartphones.

Last Remarks

That’s all on how to install Android 14 on Google Pixel via ADB and fastboot. If you have any questions or queries, feel free to write to us or drop a comment below. Do let us know how you find the all-new Android 14 on Pixel. What were your expectations, and what is reality? Did the new operating system come up to your expectations? If you were expecting some features in the latest operating system, they are still not introduced. We are here to hear it all. Happy Flashing ..!