Android 16 Has Reached Platform Stability: How to Install Beta 3 on Your Pixel

After two Developer Previews and two betas, Android 16 has reached platform stability with beta 3. Google is getting closer to solidifying the newest OS for launch in June, shortly after the 2025 I/O conference.

The good news is that if you’ve held off installing any of the previous Android 16 builds due to potential bugs and poor performance, that abundance of concern should be somewhat lifted, but it is still a beta, after all. The downside is that with the exception of a few minor changes in the forthcoming releases, new features will be sparse going forward.

If you want to give Android 16 a go and own a compatible Pixel phone or tablet Pixel Device, we’ll show you how to install it easily. For more, don’t miss these Android security and privacy features and how to get Android 16’s Live Updates feature working with Google Maps.

What features are new in Android 16 beta 3?

The latest Android 16 beta brings a couple of new features for developers to play with and a handful of bug fixes. Let’s dive in.

New features in beta 3

• Auracast broadcast audio: Pixel 9 owners with the latest beta have enabled a technology that will allow compatible hearing aids “to receive direct audio streams from public venues like airports, concerts, and classrooms.”
• Another accessibility feature is outline text, which will replace high-contrast text with a larger contrasting area to improve readability for users with low vision.
• Developers an test an upcoming feature called Local Network Protectionwhich will give users more control over what apps can access devices on their local network. LPN is planned for a future, major Android release.

Bug fixes in beta 3

Here’s a list of bug fixes that were addressed in beta 3, according to the Android Developer blog.

• Fixed issues that sometimes caused devices to reboot unexpectedly.
• Fixed various issues that were causing excessive battery drain in some cases.
• Fixed various other issues that impacted system stability, performance  and Bluetooth pairing.
• Fixed an issue that caused the At a Glance widget to display out-of-date information on the always-on display.

What devices can install the Android 16 beta?

In order to install the Android 16 beta 3 (or any of the prior betas), you’ll need a compatible Pixel device. Here’s the full list of supported devices.

• Pixel 6 and 6 Pro
• Pixel 6A
• Pixel 7 and 7 Pro
• Pixel 7A
• Pixel Fold
• Pixel Tablet
• Pixel 8 and 8 Pro
• Pixel 8A
• Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL and 9 Pro Fold

How to install the Android 16 beta 3

Installing the Android beta is easy. Here’s how to do it.

1. Go to the Android Beta site and log in to your Google account.
2. Click or tap on the “View your eligible devices” or just scroll down to the section.
3. You should see the devices associated with the Google account you’ve logged in with.
4. Under the device on which you’d like to install the Android 16 beta, click or tap the “+ Opt in” button.
5. Agree to the terms of the beta program and click or tap “Confirm and enroll.”

Once your device is enrolled, you can check to see if the update is waiting for you. It typically doesn’t take long.

• Go to your Settings menu. Tap System.
• Tap Software updates. Tap System update.

From there, the Android 16 beta should start downloading to your device. If it continues to say “Your Pixel is up to date,” give it a few more minutes or try restarting your phone.

For more, check out how Android 16 brings lock screen widgets back from the dead.