Here’s how to Download and Install Android Nougat on a Nexus right now
Yesterday, Google started rolling out the Android Nougat is rolling out to Nexus devices via an OTA update (over-the-air-update).
Which devices are eligible?
- Nexus 6, Nexus 9, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus Player
- Pixel C
- General Mobile 4G (Android One)
The OTA update — which adds features like improved multitasking and better notification control — will be trickling out to users over the coming weeks, but if you really want Nougat right now, this instant, there is a way.
The simplest way to get the update is to wait for it to show up on your phone, or check for the OTA update manually –
How to download Android 7.0 Nougat via OTA update
Over-the-air (OTA) updates are the easiest way to download Android 7.0 Nougat. Follow these steps to check if you’ve received the update.
- Open Settings > About > System updates.
- Tap Check for updates.
If the update shows up here, you can download and install Android Nougat on your Nexus device.
How to download Android 7.0 Nougat via Android Beta Program
If the OTA update(over-the-air-update) hasn’t appeared yet, you can try installing Android 7.0 Nougat via the beta program. The release build is available for some devices such as the Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X, Nexus 9 (Wi-Fi), and Pixel C via this method. We strongly recommend that you back up your Android device before attempting an update.
- Visit Android Beta Program on your desktop or mobile browser, and Sign into your Google account associated with your Nexus device.
- Scroll down and select the handset or tablet you want to enroll. Once you’re enrolled, go to Settings > About > System updates.
- Now you’ll see details about the update including a build name in the second line. This appears in brackets after Android N.
- The release build name is NRD90M for Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X, Pixel C, and Nexus 9 (Wi-Fi). If the build name on your device starts with NP, it’s a preview build, and we suggest you don’t install it.
How to manually download and install Android 7.0 Nougat
The beta program is the simplest way of getting the Android Nougat right now, but if you don’t want to do that for some reason, you can try another way. Be sure to take a full backup of all your data and proceed at your own risk, if you must –
- Install the latest Android Debug Bridge (ADB) tool on your PC.
- This installs the ADB program, which can be accessed through the command terminal on your PC.
- Add the folder where you’ve installed ADB to the PATH by following these steps – Right click My Computer and click on Properties. Click on Advanced System Settings.
- Click on System Properties > Advanced > Environment Variables. In the window, select Path, then click on Edit, and then type in the name of the directory where you installed the SDK, and remember that each entry is separated by a semi-colon.
- Enable USB debugging on your device. First, go to Settings > About Phone > Software information. Tap Build number seven times until the dialog box says you are now a developer.
- Go to Settings > Developer options. Tick USB debugging. Download the correct OTA binary for your device:
Nexus 6P
Nexus 5X
Pixel C
Nexus 9 (Wi-Fi) - Connect your device to your computer over USB, and make sure USB debugging is enabled as described above.
- Via the ADB tool, go to the command terminal and execute the following: adb reboot recovery. Your device is now in recovery mode, and users will see an Android logo with a red exclamation on their display.
- Hold the power button and press the volume up key once, and you will be shown a menu. Within the menu, select Apply update from ADB. Remember, volume keys help you navigate up and down, while the power button makes a selection.
- Run the following command on the ADB tool via your PC: adb sideload (ota file.zip). Do replace the ‘ota file.zip’ in the command with the actual name of the OTA file you have downloaded.
- Once the update finishes installing, users should choose the option Reboot system now.
