page.title=Device Images page.image=images/cards/card-download_16-9_2x.png meta.tags="preview", "system image" page.tags="preview", "developer preview" page.image=images/cards/card-n-downloads_2x.png @jd:body

The Android N Developer Preview includes device system images to help you test your app and the new APIs coming in the next release of the platform. This document describes how to get Preview system images on a device for testing.

Getting Preview on Devices

In order to effectively test your apps with the Preview, use a Preview emulator provided with the Preview SDK or configure a device with a Preview system image. The N Developer Preview allows you to update devices for use in testing the functionality of the Preview APIs and system behaviors with your apps. You can get the Preview on a device by opting a device into the Android Beta Program or by downloading a preview system image and installing it on a device.

Warning: The Android system images are previews and are subject to change. Your use of the system images is governed by the Android SDK Preview License Agreement. The Android preview system images are not stable releases, and may contain errors and defects that can result in damage to your computer systems, devices, and data. The preview Android system images are not subject to the same testing as the factory OS and can cause your phone and installed services and applications to stop working.

You can create emulators containing the Preview within the Preview SDK. For more information about getting the Preview SDK, see Set Up the SDK.

Over the air updates

You can receive Preview versions of Android on compatible devices by enrolling them in the Android Beta Program. Once you enroll a device in this program, it receives Preview versions of Android over-the-air (OTA). These updates are automatically downloaded and can installed just like official updates.

For more information on the Android Beta Program and to enroll devices, see the Android Beta Program web site.

Warning: If you enroll a device for receiving a preview version of Android, and then later opt-out of receiving those updates on the device, all user data on that device is removed.

Installing system images

These system images allow you to install a preview version of the platform on a physical device for testing. By configuring a device with one of these images, you can install and test your app to see how it performs on the next version of the platform. The process of installing a system image on a device removes all data from the device, so you should back up your data before installing a system image.

Device Download / Checksums
Nexus 5X
"bullhead"
bullhead-Nxxxx-preview-xxxxxxx.tgz
MD5: xxxxxxx
SHA-1: xxxxxxx
Nexus 6
"shamu"
shamu-Nxxxx-preview-xxxxxxx.tgz
MD5: xxxxxxx
SHA-1: xxxxxxx
Nexus 6P
"angler"
angler-Nxxxx-preview-xxxxxxx.tgz
MD5: xxxxxxx
SHA-1: xxxxxxx
Nexus 9
"volantis"
volantis-Nxxxx-preview-xxxxxxx.tgz
MD5: xxxxxxx
SHA-1: xxxxxxx
Nexus Player
"fugu"
fugu-Nxxxx-preview-xxxxxxx.tgz
MD5: xxxxxxx
SHA-1: xxxxxxx
Pixel C
"ryu"
ryu-Nxxxx-preview-xxxxxxx.tgz
MD5: xxxxxxx
SHA-1: xxxxxxx
Android One
"one"
one-Nxxxx-preview-xxxxxxx.tgz
MD5: xxxxxxx
SHA-1: xxxxxxx

Install an Image to a Device

In order to use a device image for testing, you must install it on a compatible device. Follow the instructions below to install a system image:

  1. Download and uncompress one of the system image packages listed here.
  2. Backup any data you want to preserve from the device.
  3. Follow the instructions at developers.google.com/android to flash the image onto your device.

Note: If you manually install a preview system image on a device, that device does not automatically receive additional preview updates. If you want to update a device with a new preview system image, you must perform another manual installation.

Revert to Factory Specifications

If you want to uninstall the preview and revert the device to factory specifications, go to developers.google.com/android and download the image you want to flash to for your device. Follow the instructions on that page to flash the image to your device.

Warning: Installing a factory image causes all user data on the device to be removed.