How To Install Android Q Beta 3 Before The June Enrollment Date

Bulls729 · May 15, 2019

As most of you know if you try to enroll your 3A device into the Preview Program, it will not show up and will see that Google is preventing them until June. However you can still install the official build directly from Google now which includes the May 5th, 2019 Security Patch.

Don't use the Factory image, as a lot of people are taking advantage of carrier specific promotions, most of these devices cannot yet be OEM Unlocked until they are SIM unlocked. So you will not be able to install the Factory Image unless that condition is met.

You can Sideload the OTA.

Keep in mind you will be installing Beta software on your device and doing so at your own risk.

I will be writing this guide in the perspective for someone who has never installed a custom rom or used ADB before on a PC.

Ensure your device is setup and you can access the home screen.
Swipe down from the top to access the settings menu.
Scroll down to and click "About Phone."
Scroll to "Build Number", tap on it 6 times in a row until it says developer options enabled.
Click back in the setting menu.
Click on "System"
Click the "Advanced" Dropdown.
Click "Developer Options"
Scroll down to "USB Debugging" and enable it, accept the warning.
Download the "SDK Platform Tools" from here: https://developer.android.com/studio/releases/platform-tools.html
Unzip them to a folder on your desktop.
Download the latest "Full OTA Image" from ~~here~~: ~~https://developer.android.com/preview/download-ota~~ (3A Files were removed, I have mirrored the non-XL OTA, but I don't have the XL)
Pixel 3A: sargo-ota-qpp3.190404.015-dde326a4.zip (https://mega.nz/#!iWhFXaIL!O0fIHTWivEZR8My9q2C9AtEVO7uxJIPQIf51sKUFrTc)
Pixel 3A XL: bonito-ota-qpp3.190404.015-d4e9922f.zip (No current mirror)
Move that ZIP file into the Platform Tools folder on your desktop, do not unzip it.
Connect your Pixel to your PC via the USB A to C cable, the driver should automatically install.
A popup will appear on your pixel to grant debugging access to the connected computer, allow it.
Open the "Platform Tools" folder on your desktop, click the file explorer bar where it says "This PC>..." and type "CMD" and click enter, it will open the command prompt with access to that folder.
Enter the following command
Code:
```
adb reboot recovery
```
The phone will reboot, when it goes to a screen with the android mascot and exclamation mark hold the power button and click volume up this will access the recovery menu.
Select "Apply update from ADB." and hit the power button to choose it.

Enter this command into command prompt on the PC
Pixel 3A:

Code:

adb sideload sargo-ota-qpp3.190404.015-dde326a4.zip

Pixel 3A XL:

Code:

adb sideload bonito-ota-qpp3.190404.015-d4e9922f.zip

It will take a couple minutes, once done hit "Reboot System Now"
Congratulations, you are now on the official Android Q Beta 3 software for Pixel 3A!

crackedvenom2 · May 15, 2019

Thanks for the mirror

stevew84 · May 15, 2019 at 12:08 AM

I've been around this place for a while, but the Pixels have been a bit tricky. Just to clarify, the only prerequisite to flash is to be OEM unlocked?

I've never sideloaded like this, especially with the default bootloader/recovery.

Lastly, can we revert back if need be?

Bulls729 · May 15, 2019 at 2:36 AM

stevew84 said:
I've been around this place for a while, but the Pixels have been a bit tricky. Just to clarify, the only prerequisite to flash is to be OEM unlocked?

I've never sideloaded like this, especially with the default bootloader/recovery.

Lastly, can we revert back if need be?

If you want to flash the Factory Image than you need to be OEM Unlocked.

If you're not you can Sideload the OTA via the method in the main post.

I've updated the main post with a mirror for the 3A OTA: https://mega.nz/#!iWhFXaIL!O0fIHTWivEZR8My9q2C9AtEVO7uxJIPQIf51sKUFrTc

stevew84 · May 15, 2019 at 2:37 AM

Bulls729 said:
If you want to flash the Factory Image than you need to be OEM Unlocked.

If you're not you can Sideload the OTA via the method in the main post.

I've updated the main post with a mirror for the 3A OTA: https://mega.nz/#!iWhFXaIL!O0fIHTWivEZR8My9q2C9AtEVO7uxJIPQIf51sKUFrTc

Thanks. Reverting back via same method?

Bulls729 · May 15, 2019 at 2:37 AM

crackedvenom2 said:
Latest version I see is sargo-qpp3.190404.015-factory-29c0085a.zip and I'm getting

E: footer is wrong
Update package verification took 0.1 s (result 1).
E:Signature verification failed
E:error:21
Installation aborted.

Do I have to factory reset or anything? It's been a little bit since I flashed anything but I know I followed the instructions except the version you show isn't on there. Can you make a mirror? Could it possibly be that? The version I'm finding is sargo-qpp3.190404.015-factory-29c0085a.zip

The file you mentioned is the factory image, which you can't use unless OEM unlocked, you need to sideload the OTA image using those steps, they were removed but heres a mirror: https://mega.nz/#!iWhFXaIL!O0fIHTWivEZR8My9q2C9AtEVO7uxJIPQIf51sKUFrTc

dubt17 · May 15, 2019 at 4:25 AM

Thank you! I thought I was out of luck, but couldn't complain because by turning in an S8 it's a free pixel.

Now it's a free pixel with Android Q

stevew84 · May 15, 2019 at 5:08 AM

So confirmed working using the Mega linked OTA and sideload method?

Bulls729 · May 15, 2019 at 5:09 AM

stevew84 said:
So confirmed working using the Mega linked OTA and sideload method?

I'm sure you'd like another source, but the MEGA mirror is the exact file I downloaded from the Google Dev Page prior to it being removed. I'm just bummed I didn't grab the XL OTA zip.

stevew84 · May 15, 2019

Bulls729 said:
I'm sure you'd like another source, but the MEGA mirror is the exact file I downloaded from the Google Dev Page prior to it being removed. I'm just bummed I didn't grab the XL OTA zip.

Oh no I don't care about the source. Just curious if the file itself and the method you provided is working for everyone.

EDIT: Confirmed working.

crackedvenom2 · May 15, 2019 at 2:05 PM

Bulls729 said:
The file you mentioned is the factory image, which you can't use unless OEM unlocked, you need to sideload the OTA image using those steps, they were removed but heres a mirror: https://mega.nz/#!iWhFXaIL!O0fIHTWivEZR8My9q2C9AtEVO7uxJIPQIf51sKUFrTc

Yes thank you. I had edited the post once I saw you provided mirrors

Vonsk · May 16, 2019 at 6:25 PM

Just out of curiosity, is anyone keeping track of 'known' bugs? I think it should be an edit attached to these kinds of posts if there are any major ones

only one I know of so far is listed below:

-Samsung Wearable (does not open at all or communicate with watch)

Bulls729 · May 16, 2019 at 6:35 PM

Vonsk said:
Just out of curiosity, is anyone keeping track of 'known' bugs? I think it should be an edit attached to these kinds of posts if there are any major ones only one I know of so far is listed below:

-Samsung Wearable (does not open at all or communicate with watch)

The Top Issues are listed here: https://developer.android.com/preview/release-notes

you can also file bug reports there as well.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Vonsk · May 16, 2019 at 6:43 PM

Bulls729 said:
The Top Issues are listed here: https://developer.android.com/preview/release-notes

you can also file bug reports there as well.

I followed that link and did not see mention of the bug I just listed, which I did indeed file. I followed up on it and it was actually reported as a duplicate since others have already reported it (which leads me to call it a known issue). The only thing I found was some vague "financial apps might not work as expected" and that's about it.

I know it's hard to ask for here, but things that are lay-user or layperson friendly are SUPER NICE. Just calling out that Samsung Wearable literally doesn't work at all right now I think is nice for people to know going into it. *shrug*

ClawMacaw · Nov 11, 2017 3 0 0

It is still possible to find the original images for both 3a devices on the "Downloads for Pixel" page on the android developer website, the forum won't let me post the link.

Bulls729 · May 17, 2019 at 1:53 AM

ClawMacaw said:
It is still possible to find the original images for both 3a devices on the "Downloads for Pixel" page on the android developer website, the forum won't let me post the link.

Yes the Factory images are and have still been up, but these are only useful to those who have a device that is OEM Unlocked. A good amount of people took advantage of the T-Mobile $400 credit trade in. And those devices are not able to be OEM Unlocked until they get a SIM unlock, while silly they tied the SIM Unlock status to the OEM Unlock ability. So for those with OEM Locked phones they can only use the side-load procedure wit an OTA zip which have been removed.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

ClawMacaw · Nov 11, 2017 3 0 0

Bulls729 said:
Yes the Factory images are and have still been up, but these are only useful to those who have a device that is OEM Unlocked. A good amount of people took advantage of the T-Mobile $400 credit trade in. And those devices are not able to be OEM Unlocked until they get a SIM unlock, while silly they tied the SIM Unlock status to the OEM Unlock ability. So for those with OEM Locked phones they can only use the side-load procedure wit an OTA zip which have been removed.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I see. How embarrassing, I didn't realize there was a difference between the OTA and the factory images.

Bulls729 · May 17, 2019 at 7:22 AM

CAExempt said:
How would I go about reverting back to Pie? I've downloaded the correct image file for Pie on the Pixel 3a (non XL)

If you have a device that is able to be OEM Unlocked you can restore using the Factory Image. If not you can go to this reddit link which shows information to context Pixel Support to revert your device.

https://reddit.com/r/android_beta/comments/bpjxhb/pixel_3axl_and_android_beta/

xxBrun0xx · May 22, 2019 at 2:44 AM

Bulls729 said:
Yes the Factory images are and have still been up, but these are only useful to those who have a device that is OEM Unlocked. A good amount of people took advantage of the T-Mobile $400 credit trade in. And those devices are not able to be OEM Unlocked until they get a SIM unlock, while silly they tied the SIM Unlock status to the OEM Unlock ability. So for those with OEM Locked phones they can only use the side-load procedure wit an OTA zip which have been removed.

The other problem is that when you unlock bootloader, you don't pass safetynet (so apps like Google pay, boxer, many banking apps, etc won't work at all). You could unlock bootloader, flash Q beta 3 image, then relock bootloader, but unlocking it wipes your phone so you'd need to set up from scratch. Wait for the beta ota and you won't have to wipe to use Q

jblazea50 · May 22, 2019 at 6:26 AM

OTA sideload won't erase data, correct?

How To Install Android Q Beta 3 Before The June Enrollment Date

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