Updated: How to download Android 7.0 Nougat right now
<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/Google/Android%20N/android-n-update-google-hero-470-75.jpg" alt="Updated: How to download Android 7.0 Nougat right now"/><h3>Download Android 7.0 Nougat on a Nexus device</h3><p>You can get <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/android-7-what-we-want-to-see-1311290">Android Nougat</a> now on your Google-powered phone and tablet, even though the official launch isn't for a couple more weeks, according to search engine company.</p><p>That's good news because Android is the most popular operating system in the world, installed on over a billion active devices, from smartphones and tablets to smart appliances such as TVs and fridges.</p><mediainsert caption="null" mediatype="YouTube" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NguX8yqSqxU" width="420">YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NguX8yqS...sert><p>At the <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/world-of-tech/google-io-1307820">Google IO 2016</a> event, Google announced that you can now sign up your device for the Android 7.0 Nougat Beta Final Developer Preview.</p><p>This is the last developer preview before the final release of Android N 7.0 later this year. Also known as Android 7.0 Nougat Developer Preview 5, this release comes with a number of bug fixes, improvements and features. It's still an early version of Android 7.0 Nougat, but as it's so close to the final release, this is the safest - and most stable - way to download and install Android 7.0 right now without having to wait.</p><p>To sign up go to the <a href="https://www.google.com/android/beta">Android Beta website</a> and select "Enroll device." You'll need to have a newer Google Nexus, a <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/phones/mobile-phones/sony-xperia-z3-1263309/review">Sony Xperia Z3</a> or a <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/phones/mobile-phones/huawei-p9-1318442/review">Huawei P9</a> phone to make use of the Android 7.0 Nougat Beta Final Developer Preview, however.</p><p><img src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/How%20tos/download%20Android%207.0%20N%20right%20now/android%20beta-420-90.JPG" alt="How to download Android 7.0 N right now" width="420"></img></p><p>The current version of Android, <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/android-m-10-things-we-d-like-to-see-1269443">Android 6.0 Marshmallow</a>, hasn't even been out a year, and many Android owners are still waiting for it to become available for their devices. That hasn't stopped Google working on its follow-up, although Android 7.0 Nougat is still in its early stages.</p><p>But, even though it's still early days for Android 7.0 Nougat, you can still download and install it right now – although there are some caveats.</p><p>First, this is an Android 7.0 Nougat Beta Final Developer Preview, which means it's not intended for regular smartphone owners, but rather app developers who want to make sure their products work with Android 7.0 Nougat. So although you can expect some of the latest features of Android 7.0 Nougat to work, such as bundled notifications and multi-window support, you should expect some bugs and errors as well.</p><p>If you want – or need – an Android device that works smoothly and reliably, then you should wait for the final release of Android 7.0 Nougat, which will be "later this summer," promises Google.</p><p>The second important thing to remember about this early version of Android 7.0 Nougat is that it will currently only work with certain devices - such as Google's <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/tablets/google-pixel-c-1310691/review">Pixel C</a> tablet or a newer Nexus device: the <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/phones/mobile-phones/nexus-5x-1305317/review">Nexus 5X</a>, <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/phones/mobile-phones/nexus-6p-1305318/review">Nexus 6P</a>, <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/phones/google-nexus-6-1271190/review">Nexus 6</a>, <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/av-accessories/nexus-player-1271514/review">Nexus Player</a> or <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/tablets/nexus-9-1270539/review">Nexus 9</a>.</p><p>Sony has also announced that you can try out Android 7.0 Nougat on its Xperia Z3 smartphone, but it hasn't yet announced when Android Nougat will be available for newer Xperia devices.</p><p>Huawei also accidentally let slip the link to a software update for its P9 smartphone, which allows owners to upgrade to Android 7.0 Nougat before the official release.</p><ul><li>Still waiting for Android 6.0? <a href="http://www.techradar.com/how-to/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/how-to-download-android-6-0-marshmallow-right-now-1305391">Here's how to download Android 6.0 Marshmallow right now</a></li></ul><h3>What to do before you download and install Android 7.0 Nougat</h3><p>If you've got a Pixel C, a recent Nexus device, or a compatible version of the Xperia Z3 and you're certain you want to give this early version of Android 7.0 Nougat a try, then there are a few things you should do before you download and install it.</p><p>First of all, you should make sure you backup your device before you begin. The Android 7.0 Nougat Developer Preview ihas bugs in it, so if it doesn't work, or if Android 7.0 Nougat just isn't for you, having a backup will enable you to revert back to your previous version of Android quickly and easily.</p><p><img src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/How%20tos/How%20to%20download%20Android%20M/backup-420-90.jpg" alt="How to download Android 7.0 N right now" width="420"></img></p><p>Ensure that your device's built-in backup feature is enabled – to do this go to Settings > Backup & reset and make sure both 'Backup my data' and 'Automatic restore' are checked.</p><p>You can also backup your photos by plugging your Android device into a PC via USB, and then view the phone in Windows or Mac OS X , browse to the DCIM folder and copy it over.</p><p>To make sure absolutely everything is backed up, check out our comprehensive guide to <a href="http://www.techradar.com/how-to/phone-and-communications/how-to-backup-your-android-device-1298811">backing up your Android device</a>.</p><h3>How to download Android 7.0 Nougat on a Nexus device</h3><p>With your Android device backed up you can now download Android 7.0 N. Head over to the <a href="http://developer.android.com/preview/overview.html">Android Nougat Developer Preview</a> web page for all the information about Android 7.0 Nougat developer preview.</p><p>This page shows you an overview of the various stages of the preview, giving you a good idea of what sorts of features and functionality you'll be getting, and when.</p><p>With Android 7.0 Nougat it's now easier than ever to get the developer preview on your compatible device via the Android Beta Program. Go to the <a href="https://www.google.com/android/beta?u=1">Android Beta Program website</a>, and sign in using your Google account.</p><p>Once you're signed in you'll see your eligible devices listed. To enrol a device in the beta program click the 'Enroll Device' button. Once your device is enrolled you'll get over-the-air updates to Android 7.0 Nougat, just as you would with regular OS updates.</p><p><img src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/How%20tos/download%20Android%207.0%20N%20right%20now/elegabledevices-420-90.jpg" alt="How to download Android 7.0 N right now" width="420"></img></p><p>You can also install the Android 7.0 Nougat update manually by <a href="http://developer.android.com/preview/download.html">downloading and installing the Android 7.0 system image</a>. This is a more risky and complicated way of updating to Android 7.0 Nougat, and it also means you won't automatically get updates. If you're still keen on doing this, then follow Google's instructions on <a href="https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images#instructions">how to flash your Nexus device</a>.</p><h3>Going back to an earlier version of Android</h3><p>If you want to switch back to an earlier version of Android, then return to the <a href="https://www.google.com/android/beta?u=1">Android Beta Program website</a> and click 'Unenroll device'. An update will then appear on your smartphone or tablet, which when downloaded and installed will uninstall Android 7.0 Nougat and reinstall the latest stable public version of Android.</p><p>Be warned though: this will also wipe any user data from your device, so again make sure you backup your device first.</p><h3>Download Android 7.0 Nougat on Sony Xperia Z3</h3><p>Sony has announced that you can download the developer preview of Android 7.0 Nougat on a compatible Xperia Z3. There are currently two variants of the Xperia Z3 that can have the developer preview installed, so if your Xperia Z3 has the model number D6603 or D6653, then you'll be able to download and install the new version of Android.</p><p>Once you've confirmed that you have a compatible version of the Sony Xperia Z3, then the next step is to backup your data and files as we described on the previous page.</p><p>With your Xperia Z3 backed up, follow these steps to install Android 7.0 Nougat on the device.</p><p><img src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/How%20tos/download%20Android%207.0%20N%20right%20now/Download%20Android%20N%20new/xperiacomo-420-90.jpg" alt="How to download Android 7.0 N right now" width="420"></img></p><h3>1. Install the latest version of the Xperia Companion</h3><p>You've probably noticed that when you have plugged in your Sony Xperia device into your PC or Mac a pop-up window appears asking if you want to install Sony's Xperia Companion software.</p><p>This program supposedly helps you transfer files two and from your PC and your smartphone, but it's not normally necessary - however you will need the latest version to install Android 7.0 Nougat on your Xperia Z3.</p><p>You can <a href="http://support.sonymobile.com/global-en/xperiaz3/tools/xperia-companion/">download the latest version of the Xperia Companion software from Sony's website</a>.</p><p><img src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/mobile_phones/Sony/XperiaZ3/Sony%20Xperia%20Z3%20hands%20on/Sony_Xperia_Z3_review%20(8)-420-90.JPG" alt="How to download Android 7.0 N right now" width="420"></img></p><h3>2. Connect your Xperia Z3</h3><p>Next, make sure your Xperia Z3 is powered on and then plug it in to a USB port on your PC or Mac. The Sony Xperia software should automatically launch when your computer recognises the smartphone.</p><p><img src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/How%20tos/download%20Android%207.0%20N%20right%20now/Download%20Android%20N%20new/software%20repair-420-90.jpg" alt="How to download Android 7.0 N right now" width="420"></img></p><h3>3. Download and install Android 7.0 Nougat</h3><p>Hold down the Alt key on your keyboard and click on 'Software repair', which is displayed on the home screen of the Xperia Companion software. A step-by-step guide will now take you through the process of downloading and installing Android 7.0 Nougat.</p><p>At some point you will be asked to disconnect your Xperia Z3 from your PC and then turn off your device. Once the Xperia Z3 has turned off, hold down the volume down key on the smartphone and plug it back into your computer.</p><p>Android 7.0 Nougat will now continue to install.</p><h3>Going back to an earlier version of Android</h3><p>If you want to switch back to an earlier version of Android, then reconnect your Xperia Z3 to your PC and launch the Xperia Companion program. Click on 'Software repair' and follow the instructions to reset your device - but remember that this will also wipe all of your data, so make sure you backup first.</p><h3>How to download Android 7.0 Nougat on a Huawei P9</h3><p>If you own the Huawei P9 and are impatient to try out Android 7.0 Nougat, then there's a way to update your handset before the official release.</p><p>This is because Huawei accidentally released the OTA version of Android 7.0 Nougat that would have been officially released later on.</p><p>Some enterprising people have copied the link before it was removed and now offer Huawei's update. Because this is an unofficial release we recommend caution when using this method to upgrade to Android 7.0 Nougat.</p><p><img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/Huawei/P9/Review/HandsOn%202/P1220893-420-100.JPG" alt="How to download Android 7.0 Nougat" width="420"></img></p><p>First of all, follow this link to <a href="http://forum.xda-developers.com/p9/development/rom-stock-rom-eva-l19c636b168-t3419586">download the Huawei P9 Android 7.0 Nougat update</a>. Search the page for a file that's named EMUI-EVA-C900B040SP11-log. At the moment that file is not available, but keep checking back and someone may upload it.</p><p>If you did grab the ZIP file and downloaded it, plug in the Huawei P9 into your PC and move the ZIP file to the base directory of the internal storage. You can also do this with an SD card. Now, unplug your phone and turn it off.</p><p>Press the power button and both the volume buttons to boot the Huawei P9 into the Software Update menu. You can then select the update you downloaded and Android 7.0 Nougat will install.</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/allnews/~4/gxrfrNhCtqo" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>
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