If you own a rooted or non-rooted Google Pixel phone with a faster fingerprint scanner and want to get your hands on all the new features in the latest stock Android firmware, here is how to install Android 13 on your device via factory images. Google recently released the system images for the Android 13 operating system. With the official installation files now available, you can run Android 13 on Pixel handsets like Android 12L.
It is essential to note that the OTA files shared below contain an early version of Android 13, so it may still require smoothing around the edges.
Moreover, you’ll need to unlock the bootloader on Google Pixel mobile to flash the system factory image via a computer.
Although there are OTA files available for updating Pixel without unlocking the bootloader. But in that case, the safer alternative is to manually flash the OTA installer package for the mobile software to work.
Table of Contents
Android 13 Supported Pixel Devices:
Anyone with compatible hardware can test-drive Android 2022. However, keep in mind that list of supported devices does not include a broad range of handheld devices. For now, you can only set up Android 13 on the following devices:
- Google Pixel 4
- Pixel 4 XL
- Pixel 4a
- Pixel 4a 5G
- Pixel 5
- Pixel 5a
- Pixel 6
- Pixel 6 Pro
Install Android 13 On Google Pixel With Bootloader Locked:
Before starting, note that this method works to flash stock Android 13 on Google Pixel Phones. If you want to install the developer preview, refer to this guide for installation instructions and then update.
But here, we are going to stick with the over-the-air method in this tutorial because it does not require you to unlock the bootloader. So, let’s begin.
Step 1: First of all, you will have to download Android 13 OTA in zip file format for your Google Pixel device and save it on your computer. If you like, rename the file to an easier name.
Step 2: Place the downloaded file where the ADB folder is located on your desktop or laptop.
Step 3: To enable Developer options, navigate to Settings > About Phone > Tap Build Number 7 times and enter your pattern, password, or PIN to confirm (if prompted).
Step 4: Once done, go back to Settings > Developer Option > Enable USB Debugging.
Step 5: Next, connect your mobile phone to your computer and authorize your computer to prepare your device for the next step.
Step 6: With your PC ready, run the following command:
adb reboot recovery
Step 7: You will now see the “No command” on your phone. Press and hold the Power button on your handset. While keep pressing the power button, press that volume up button and release both buttons quickly. This will take you to Android recovery mode.
Step 8: On the recovery menu, select the option Apply Update from ADB.
Step 9: With that done, type the following command on your computer:
adb devices
You should now see a device serial number along with the “sideload” showing next to it. This verifies that your device is in sideload mode and ready to flash the firmware.
Step 10: Run the following command on your computer:
adb sideload “filename”.zip
The “filename” is the name with which you saved the file.
Step 11: Firmware update will start installing on your phone. Once installed, choose Reboot system now which will restart your device into Android 13.
Step 13: That’s all.
Conclusion
Google usually rolls out full and final version updates across regions in phases. Some places receive the firmware earlier than others. If you’re in a country where Android 13 is not out yet, the step-by-step guide above will help you manually install Android 13 before the official release in your place of residence.
