What's In Here
Android 8.0 Oreo Released!
Finally, after the long wait we will now witness how to install Android Oreo on our Android devices! Yes folks, Google’s latest operating system Android 8.0 which is also known as Android Oreo has been officially released! This time Android 8.0 is no longer in development mode. However, it is more likely to be unstable like any operating system, software, or apps considering it is still in the early stage.
Actually, records says that the official release of Android 8.0 Oreo was initially distributed on August 21, 2017. However, reports shows that the initial release during the previous week was still in BETA program. Fortunately, we’ve seen the light now! BUT there is a catch and I wouldn’t be surprised. Not all Android devices will have an upfront Android Oreo 8.0 firmware update. Not just yet.
Android Oreo 8.0 Initial Supported Android Devices
There are only selected Android devices eligible for the Android 8.0 Oreo update. The following Android devices are:
- Google Pixel
- Google Pixel XL
- Nexus 5X
- Nexus 6P
However, from Android Central, they mentioned that there are other two (2) Android devices that are eligible for Android Oreo (8.0) update. They are:
- Google Pixel C
- Nexus Player
Which Android Devices Will Soon Have Android Oreo 8.0?
It was reported that the following manufacturers will soon have the Android Oreo 8.0 updated too. Maybe before the end of this year.
- Essential
- General Mobile
- HMD Global (Nokia Smartphone maker)
- Huawei
- HTC
- Kyocera
- LG
- Motorola
- Samsung
- Sharp
- Sony
Android 8 Oreo UPDATE 08May2018
It was recently reported that a couple more Android smartphones will receive Android 8 Oreo versions.
- Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge will probably get the Android 8 update sometime in May according to a Korean website which was also mentioned in SamMobile.
- Samsung Galaxy S9 Android 8.1 Oreo seems to be under testing phase after it was spotted.
- Huawei Mate 8, P9, Honor 8, Honor Note 8, and Honor 6X was reportedly to receive Android Oreo beta in China.
- LG G6 was also spotted to get the Android 8.0 update.
It is not easy for either manufacturer to just let their Android devices to get the Android Oreo 8.0 update. This is because there should be an agreement between the manufacturers and regional carrier. One of the main reasons here is because the latter usually need to add their default apps in the firmware build.
How to Install Android Oreo (version 8.0) on Your Android Phone
DISCLAIMER: Each steps or procedures here are based on the common or the normal process of updating an Android device. It is not common that you will brick your Android device if you followed the steps correctly. We will not be held liable if you brick your Android device if it fails to get the update or something happens during the installation. Update at your own risk.
According to the Google Android Oreo (8.0) instruction before updating your devices, make sure that you have an unlocked bootloader. Consult your technicial on how to unlock your bootloader. This is because unlocking bootloader may vary on different Android devices. Here’s an example steps on how to unlock bootloader on Nexus 6P.
How To Enable Developers Options, Turn On USB Debugging and Unlock Bootloader on Nexus 6P
Here’s a short YouTube video from “DroidModderX ROOT Master” showing a quick and easy way on how to unlock bootloader of Nexus 6P. Before you proceed watching the video, it is recommended that you download and install the following:
- Download and install fastboot here.
- Download and install the Nexus 6P USB Driver here.
- First we need to enable Developers options. Go to Settings;
- Scroll down until you see About Phone/Tablet;
- You need to tap the Build number seven times (7x) simultaneously. After that you will now see the Developers options;
- Then you need to turn on USB Debugging option by tapping Developers options > USB debugging;
- Within the same window, check Enable OEM unlock;
- Plugin your Nexus 6P to your computer and click “OK” when you see the notification “Allow USB debugging“.
- Watch the video below for further steps.
Install Android Oreo (8.0) Update via OTA
There are reports that there are Android mobile users seeing this Android operating system update. These are end-users who owns one or more of the aforementioned devices above. The Android Oreo 8.0 update were received via OTA (over-the-air). If you have not yet received the notification update, you can check it manually.
- From your screen, open the app drawer;
- Navigate to Settings;
- Go to System;
- If you can’t see System updates, tap on About;
- Then tap on System updates;
- Tap on Check update.
With the steps above, you will get a notification and confirmation that you can download and install Android Oreo (8.0) update.
Install Android Oreo (8.0) Manually if not available via OTA
The following steps is highly NOT recommended especially if you are not familiar with installing Android update manually or thru command line. There is a high chance that you might brick your phone if not properly executed. It is like you are FORCING your Android device to get the Android Oreo (8.0) update even if it isn’t the official version for your device yet.
What You Should Do Before You Start
Aside from unlocking bootloader, you should enable USB Debugging option first. This is because you will be running ADB command lines.
Manually Flashing Android Oreo 8.0 Stock firmware
Ensure that your Android device bootloader is unlocked, turned on USB debugging, and installed all the necessary drivers. Then you can now start with manually flashing Android Oreo 8.0.
- Get the Factory image after you found your device on this page. However, this page only contains the factory firmware images for Nexus and Pixel devices. You need to acknowledge the Terms and Conditions before you will be redirected to the download page with flashing instructions;
- Download the latest firmware and decompress it in the Platform Tools folder where your adb and fastboot are located. This will make it easier for you to flash the firmware so that it won’t be difficult for you to switch paths during the installation;
- Plugin your Android device to the computer and run this fastboot command to make sure that communication has been established. HINT: Once you see your device’s serial number then you can proceed.
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./fastboot devices
-
- You can now flash the updated bootloader by using the following command (note that you will not see anything on your screen however a dialog will appear on your terminal/comand prompt:
-
./fastboot flash bootloader <the bootloader file>.img
-
- Once the new bootloader flashing has been successfully completed, you need to reboot to your bootloader to see and make sure that everything is working as expected. Use the following command:
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./fastboot reboot-bootloader
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- The next step is to flash the updated radios and reboot again the bootloader after
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./fastboot flash radio <radio file>.img
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./fastboot reboot-bootloader
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- We’re almost done. This time you will now flash the system image update. WARNING: In the command below, the parameter “-w” will wipe your device’s data automatically. So if you don’t want this to happen, just remove this parameter in the command.
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./fastboot -w update <image file>.zip
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Once you have completed the steps above, your Android device will automatically reboot. The booting process might take a little bit slower than the usual and this is normal. This is preparing your Android device with the new Android Oreo 8.0.
Final Thoughts
With the 2 ways on how to install Android Oreo on your Android devices, it is up to you which you way you prefer. BUT, based on our experience it will not harm if you follow also a few of our suggestions:
- Make sure that you have at least around 75% battery charge;
- Make it a “golden rule of thumb” that you create a backup of your data. You might want to review all of our installed apps, accounts, photos, files, phone book, messages, etc;
- Make sure that your Internet connection is stable;
- Make sure that if you will do the manual installation, the connection between your Android phone and computer is not loose;
- Make sure that your USB cable is working properly.
Happy Android Oreo days to you, mate!
References
If you are an Android developer enthusiast then you might want to read on how to work with Bitbucket and Android Studio when pushing your codes.
Recently, Google released Android P with AI Learning Machine technology. You might want to check it out too!
