Google’s newest Android 11 Beta 1.5 has been launched and here is how you can download it for your Pixel device. After only a week since the first 11 Android Beta build, Google has released a small follow-up update. The brand is categorizing this new Beta build as a small patch-fix to various bugs that have been reported by users on the initial Android 11 Beta 1. Since it doesn’t change anything dramatically or add in new functionality, Google is calling it Android 11 Beta 1.5. If you own a Pixel phone, here is how to download Android R Beta 1.5 for it.
We usually don’t see decimal naming schemes when it comes to Android Betas. In fact, this is the first one that we are witnessing since the Beta program’s inception. Nonetheless, it is great to see that Google listens very closely to user feedback and responds properly. The main goal with Android 11 Beta 1.5 is to achieve more stability and reliability. Same as Android 11 compatibility, you can download Beta 1.5 for Pixel 2 / 2 XL, Pixel 3 / 3 XL, Pixel 3a / 3a XL and Pixel 4 / 4 XL phones.
Android 11 Beta 1.5 – Small Bug Fix Update
The first Android 11 Beta brought a whole host of features especially for those who were installing it to update from Android 10. As a follow-up, Beta 1.5 builds on the same feature but offers bug-fixes and better stability. There aren’t any new feature changes which is also why the small update size for those updating from Android 11 Beta 1. Anyhow, for the bug-fixes, here is the official change-log:
General
- Devices no longer crash (reboot) while using gesture navigation to switch apps in different orientations while rotating the device at the same time.
- On Pixel 3 and 3a, users setting up devices after reset can now activate a pSim service if the phone is currently using an eSIM service.
- Fixed issues that users were having when using contactless payments through Google Pay.
Bluetooth
- The system no longer incorrectly enforces the Bluetooth privileged permission for RemoveBond. This resolves issues that could affect pairing, unpairing, and bond reset flows for Bluetooth devices, such as for Forget Watch on Wear OS devices.
Based on our testing, you might encounter the following issues when using Android 11 Beta 1.5. These issues are already known, so there’s no need to file issue additional reports for similar issues.
Known issues: Android Auto
- Users might experience an issue during Android Auto projection with audio routing. When a user is connected with Android Auto in the vehicle and playing music or using navigation, the audio may be played on the phone’s speaker instead of the vehicle speakers. We have fixed this issue internally and it will be available to you in the Android Auto release 5.4 update this month.
- Users may experience issues with Android Auto projection not starting after plugging in for the first time. We are investigating this issue.
- Note: Some issues may be resolved by updating the Android Auto, Google Play Services and the Google app to the latest release from the Google Play Store and then rebooting the device.
Users can sign-up for the Beta program to receive OTA updates directly on their device. However, for those wishing to install manually, read ahead to download the factory images for Android R Beta 1.5.
Download Android 11 Beta 1.5 Images
This small update build wasn’t planned in the official Android R release schedule hence it doesn’t account as a Beta 2. Google will still release two major Beta builds — the next arriving in July — before stable release in Quarter 3 of 2020.
To download the images, there are two ways: download factory images and flash manually or use Android Flash Tool. We have listed them both ahead.
Use Factory Images
Here are the official download links available for compatible Pixel smartphones:
Download system factory image for Pixel 4 XL (coral): Download Android 11 Beta 1.5
Download system factory image for Pixel 4 (flame): Download Android 11 Beta 1.5
Download system factory image for Pixel 3a XL (bonito): Download Android 11 Beta 1.5
Download system factory image for Pixel 3a (sargo): Download Android 11 Beta 1.5
Download system factory image for Pixel 3 XL (crosshatch): Download Android 11 Beta 1.5
Download system factory image for Pixel 3 (blueline): Download Android 11 Beta 1.5
Download system factory image for Pixel 2 XL (taimen): Download Android 11 Beta 1.5
Download system factory image for Pixel 2 (walleye): Download Android 11 Beta 1.5
Use Android Flash Tool
Alternatively, users can also utilize Android Flash Tool to flash the files manually. Flash Tool is Google’s automated web-app that will automate the process of downloading firmware files and flashing it on your phone. You would need to have ADB / Fastboot utilities, proper USB drivers installed on your computer along with a compliant web browser such as Google Chrome.
To install Android 11 Beta 1.5 using Android Flash Tool follow this link:
We can’t wait for the stable release to be live in the next few months, do let us know about your feedback about Android R Beta 1 in the comments below.
