Like last year's beta release of Android Pie, Google has allowed the Android Q Developer Previews to support some non-Pixel devices. Announced at Google I/O 2019, there are 15 non-Pixel smartphones eligible for the Android 10 Beta, including 2017's Essential PH-1.
With a few steps, you can enjoy the latest version of Android once again on your Essential Phone before it officially unveils in late-summer, early-fall. It comes as no surprise that Google includes Essential in the Android Q Beta. Not only is Essential run by Android co-founder Audy Rubin, but Essential Phone is one of the few devices to run stock Android.
While Essential does include instructions on its website for installing the Android Q Beta, I ran into some issues, and there's a good chance you will too. Therefore, after some trial and error, I've laid out the three easiest ways to install the beta below, including the over-the-air update, manually without a custom recovery, and manually with a custom recovery.
Option 1: Over-the-Air (OTA)
By far, the easiest method to get Android Q Beta on your Essential Phone is with the OTA update, which lets you install Android Q the same way you would any official software update pushed out by Essential. However, before you check "About Phone," you need to sign up for the beta first.
It's a requirement to give access to only those that know it's unstable software and that data will be collected to uncover bugs and other issues that will help with the continued development of the stable release. To sign up, simply install the Essential Q Beta app from the Play Store.
- Play Store Link: Essential Q Beta (free)
Once installed, open the app and select "Enable Phone Access" so that it can retrieve your device's serial number. Then, input the requested information, which includes your email address and first and last name. Once filled in, select the button at the bottom. The next page will state that once your information is confirmed, you will receive the update over the air.
With a little bit of patience, you will get a notification for a new software update which you can select to download and install Android Q Beta on your Essential.
Option 2: Without a Custom Recovery
With a custom recovery, this process is super easy to get Android Q Beta installed manually, nearly identical to updating a rooted phone with the latest security patch. However, since a lot of you are probably not running modified software, we'll first show the manual process if you're running unmodified software on Essential PH-1.
Step 1: Download ADB & Fastboot on Your PC
To install the Essential Q Beta manually, you'll need to use ADB commands. ADB commands are commands you send from a computer to your Android phone to perform tasks not available within the software. You'll also need Fastboot.
While there are multiple ways to add these programs to your computer, we believe the best method is to install Google's official SDK Platform Tools. This method has proven to be the most reliable across different computers and devices.
- Instructions: How to Install ADB & Fastboot on Mac, Linux & Windows
Step 2: Download the OTA File
On your computer, visit Essential's Android Q Beta Program webpage. At the bottom of the page, you'll be presented with four options. Choose "Flash Android Q Beta to PH-1," and check the checkbox below acknowledging its usage. Select "Submit" to bring up a new page with links to for the files.
On the next page, choose the version labeled "Download (OTA)."
Once downloaded, move the ZIP file to the platform-tools folder inside of your ADB installation directory. For Windows users, you'll find this folder here:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Android\android-sdk\platform-toolsHowever, if you decided to use the minimal ADB installer, the folder will be in a different location. If you're unsure of the folder's location, or if you're on a Mac or Linux machine, use your computer's search function to find the platform-tools_ folder.
After you've copied the ZIP file into the platform-tools folder, keep the window open, as you will need it for the next step.
Step 3: Open a Command Prompt or Terminal Window
Open a Command Prompt or Terminal window. For Windows, press the Windows button on your keyboard, type in "cmd," and hit Enter. On a Mac or Linux computer, open it up from the folder with all your applications or via another way, such as Spotlight on a Mac or a shortcut in the dock.
In the Command Prompt or Terminal window, input the following code, replacing "location" with the location of your platform-tools folder. On a Windows machine, you can copy the location from the address bar at the top of the File Manager window. Otherwise, on Windows, Mac, and Linux, you can just drag and drop the folder into the terminal after cd with a space after it.
cd locationThe cd command will redirect the command prompt or terminal to that directory, allowing you to access its files. Only with this redirect can you start to use ADB and fastboot commands. No matter which operating system you are using, leave the Command Prompt or Terminal open, as you will need it for most of the steps below.
Step 4: Unlock the Bootloader
The next step is to unlock the bootloader of the Essential PH-1. We've already laid out this process in our guide on unlocking the Essential Phone's bootloader, so make sure to check that out. We include a lot of details, breaking down each step to avoid any issues. Also, be aware that this process will reset your phone, so make sure you back up all your data.
- Instructions: How to Unlock the Bootloader on the Essential PH-1
Starting with Android 9.0, your backup files are protected by the lock screen passcode. Therefore, make sure you can remember your old passcode, in case you switch it after restoring your phone.
Step 5: Install the Android Q Beta
Once your phone reboots and brings you to the initial start screen, verify that ADB commands can still be sent by inputting the following command into Command Prompt on Windows.
adb reboot recoveryFor Mac and Linux users, you 'll need to put ./ before the command. Therefore, it will look like this instead:
./adb reboot recoveryYou'll be presented with a new screen on the phone with Android's mascot lying down. Hold the Power button and tap Volume Up to see the recovery menu options. Using the Volume buttons to navigate, highlight "Apply update from ADB," and confirm by pressing the Power button.
Jon Knight/Gadget Hacks
Two lines of text will appear confirming your device is ready to accept sideloaded firmware. Back on your computer, type the following in a Command Prompt and include a space at the end. Do not press enter yet.
adb sideloadOn Mac and Linux, type the following into the Terminal, also including the space at the end. Do not press enter yet.
./adb sideloadDrag-and-drop the OTA.zip file you downloaded in Step 2 into the Command Prompt or Terminal window. This will populate the full file name and location saving you time and potential issue for typing it wrong.
Before pressing Enter, make sure the command looks like this for Windows:
adb sideload filelocation OTA.zipOr like this for Mac and Linux:
./adb sideload filelocation OTA.zipA percentage number will show up in the Command Prompt or Terminal window. Once it reaches 100 percent, restart your phone and your phone will reboot with Android 10 Beta installed.
Option 3: With a Custom Recovery
There is another way to update to Android Q Beta which is much easier than Method 2 above. However, it does require you to have a custom recovery. A custom recovery is modified recovery which gives you extra functionality over your Essential PH-1. Tools such as TWRP let you back up your phone entirely (not just the apps and app data), root your phone with tools such as Magisk, run custom ROMs, and sideload OTA updates.
If you haven't already, you should consider installing TWRP. It will make future Android Q Beta updates easier to install and will let you make full copies of your phone to return to if something goes wrong. We have a detailed guide on adding TWRP to your Essential Phone, so make sure to check that out.
- Instructions: How To Install TWRP Recovery on the Essential PH-1
Step 1: Download the OTA File
With that out of the way, you'll need to visit Essential's Android Q Beta Program webpage on your computer. At the bottom of the page, you'll be presented with four options. Choose "Flash Android Q Beta to PH-1," and check the checkbox below acknowledging its usage. Select "Submit" to bring up a new page with links to for the files.
On the next page, choose the version labeled "Download (OTA)."
Step 2: Download the TWRP File
Since installing Android Q Beta will wipe the device, you'll also lose the TWRP you already have. So, I recommend downloading the TWRP zip file as well. You need this file to keep your custom recovery after flashing the update. If you don't want a custom recovery anymore, by all means, skip this.
Step 3: Transfer the OTA & TWRP Files
Once the files are downloaded, use a USB cable to connect your phone to your computer. Remember, the included cable with the Essential Phone is USB Type-C on both ends, so if your computer doesn't have USB-C input, you'll need to get a USB-C to USB-A cable.
Now, transfer the OTA file and the TWRP file to the "Downloads" folder on the Essential Phone. If you need help on this part, let me know in the comments. It's pretty easy on Windows. On a Mac, you'll need the Android File Transfer tool.
If you run to any trouble, you can also visit the links in Step 1 and Step 2 directly on your Essential PH-1 to download the files without the need of a computer.
Step 4: Boot into Your Custom Recovery
Hold the Power button until the power menu appears, then choose "Reboot." When you select "Reboot," hold down the Volume Down button on the side of the phone. After a few seconds, your phone will reboot to the bootloader menu. Using the Volume buttons to navigate, move to "Recovery mode," and press the Power button to confirm. Your phone will then restart again, this time into TWRP. Input your passcode to access TWRP.
Step 5: Install the OTA File
From the TWRP menu, choose "Install." Find the OTA.zip file you place in the "Downloads" folder. Choose the file and swipe right on the bottom slider to install the ZIP file. Next, select the back button to return to the previous screen, then choose the TWRP installer ZIP file. Swipe right on the bottom slider to install this as well.
Once both are installed, choose "Reboot System." Your phone will reboot, only this time, it will jump right into your newly installed Android Q system.
Jon Knight/Gadget Hacks
From my testing, I found the latest Elemental X kernel works with Android Q. I also found that Magisk also works, meaning you don't have to give up root access as well. For how to add the custom kernel from Elemental X or Magisk, check out those links.
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Cover image and screenshots by Jon Knight/Gadget Hacks
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