Android 16's big redesign has finally arrived, with the QPR1 update now available to Google Pixel owners. Here's how to install it.
Following a familiar initial release of Android 16 earlier this year, the one we've all been waiting for has arrived. The big Material 3 Expressive redesign is now live with the first Android 16 QPR1 stable release now available to Google Pixel devices.
We've got a full breakdown of everything new in the video below.
Thanks to Google's expanded software support schedule, more devices than ever can run Android 16 QPR1. The list includes every Pixel released since 2021:
Meanwhile, the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro XL all run this update out of the box.
The main way to install Android 16 QPR1 on a Pixel phone is just to accept an OTA update. To do this, go to Settings > System > Software updates and tap "Check for update." This may not work immediately, but it might be able to pull the update a little faster than you'd get a notification.
Alternatively, you can sideload the update manually.
To do this, follow the steps below:
IMPORTANT: While this process is typically safe, it's in your best interest to either unlock your bootloader or, at the very least, turn on OEM Unlock in developer settings BEFORE installing an OTA file.
To get started, you'll first need to download the files needed to actually put Android 16 QPR1 on your Pixel.
You can download the OTA file from Google's OTA Image hosting site. That site contains OTA downloads for sideloading different updates, including Android 16 QPR1, on every Pixel and Nexus device, so you'll need to scroll down to ensure you are downloading the file that is associated with your device. OTA downloads for Android 16 QPR1 are provided HERE. Check the latest available build for each device.
Next, you'll boot your Pixel into Recovery mode. To do this, fully power down your handset. Then hold down on the Power button and the Volume down button at the same time until you get to the Bootloader page. You will know you're in the right place when you see an Android figure lying down on the screen.
Using your volume buttons, scroll down to Recovery mode. Select this by clicking the power button. Alternatively, if you're already connected to a computer with ADB, you can use the reboot recovery command.
Now, you should see a smaller Android lying down with an exclamation mark over it. From here, press the Power button and the Volume up button for about a second to fully enter Recovery mode. Releasing the Volume up button will send you into Recovery.
Using the volume buttons, scroll down to Apply update from ADB and select it with the power button. This will launch a mostly blank screen with text near the bottom directing you on how to sideload an OTA.
This step is important as it's the only way to transfer the downloaded OTA file to your handset. You'll need to have ADB and Fastboot tools in a handy place. You can download ADB tools from the Android Developers website, either by installing Android Studio as a whole or the Command Line tools. You can also use the Universal ADB Drivers from ClockWorkMod, which can make the process a bit easier on Windows devices.
Personally, I unload the tools from the Android Developers website and add a shortcut to "cmd.exe" for a quick and easy installation method. For this, you'll need to put the downloaded software build into the same folder as the "cmd.exe" file.
As long as everything is in place, you can now sideload the OTA file. On Windows, ensure your Command Prompt is directed to the ADB tools folder and type in adb sideload. If you're on macOS or Linux, do the same thing in Terminal (use "cd" and "ls" commands to make sure your Terminal is pointed at the right folder - Google it if you need help) but type in ./adb sideload. You'll then need to insert the file name of the .zip folder you downloaded from Google and hit enter to start the process.
If everything is working properly, you should see some dialog on your computer and handset that shows the process of the sideload and installation process.
Once the OTA is done installing, you will be taken back to Recovery Mode. The last step to jump into the new update is to select the Reboot now option with your power button.