Google has begun rolling out Android Q Beta 5 for Pixel devices and you can download it for yours with this guide. As the software company earlier promised, Beta 5 was to arrive in Quarter 3 of 2019 and it definitely has. This is the second last beta before we receive the final version and also, the first release candidate build of Android Q. As APIs were already finalized in Beta 4, this iteration refines overall system, adds in final behaviors and readies the software for app testing.
Approaching final release, Android Q Beta 5 is the first release candidate build. For app developers, this means they can start finalziing their apps for Android Q compatibility. Further, many bugs and issues have been ironed out. For features, this build focuses on gestural navigation updates and how various functions are performed using these gestures. To try it out on your Pixel device, we have official Android Q Beta 5 download links right ahead.
Android Q Beta 5 Details
This is a complete overview as to what has changed, described by Google themselves.
What’s in Beta 5?
The Beta 5 update includes the latest Android Q system images for Pixel and Android jEmulator, along with the final Android Q developer APIs (API level 29), the official API 29 SDK, and updated build tools for Android Studio. These give you everything you need to test your apps on Android Q and build with Android Q features.
As we talked about at Google I/O, we’ve been working closely with device-maker partners to ensure a standardized Android gestural navigation for users and developers. Gestural navigation lets apps use the full screen for content while minimizing the visible system chrome and navigation – which is particularly important on today’s edge-to-edge screens. In Beta 5 we’re continuing to improve and polish based on your feedback and we wanted to provide an update on a few key areas.
We’ve introduced a swipe gesture from either corner to get to the Assistant – you’ll notice indicators in the bottom corners that we’re continuing to tune.
For apps using a navigation drawer, we’ve added a peek behavior when users have grabbed the drawer to indicate that a swipe will bring in the navigation drawer. This works for all versions of DrawerLayout, with DrawerLayout 1.1.0-alpha02 optimized for the best experience.
Custom launchers are another area where we’ve heard feedback and we’re continuing to work on issues, particularly with stability and Recents. Starting in Beta 6, we’ll switch users to 3-button navigation when they are using a custom launcher by default. We’ll address the remaining issues in a post-launch update allowing all users to switch to gestural navigation. Meanwhile, please continue to give us your feedback.
Do check out:
Download Android Q Beta 5 Images
As for now, the only ways to get Beta 5, you can either setup an Android Studio Emulator or you can download any one of the following images to flash them on actual hardware or sign-up with the Beta program to get OTA directly.
Here are the official download links available for Pixel smartphones:
Download system factory image for Pixel 3a XL (bonito):Â Download Android Q Beta5
Download system factory image for Pixel 3a (sargo):Â Download Android Q Beta5
Download system factory image for Pixel 3 XL (crosshatch):Â Download Android Q Beta5
Download system factory image for Pixel 3 (blueline):Â Download Android Q Beta5
Download system factory image for Pixel 2 XL (taimen):Â Download Android Q Beta5
Download system factory image for Pixel 2 (walleye):Â Download Android Q Beta5
Download system factory image for Pixel XL (marlin): Download Android Q Beta5
Download system factory image for Pixel (sailfish): Download Android Q Beta5
