Earlier this month, HTML code suggested that Google's Android N Developer Preview could make its way to non-Nexus devices. Apparently, Sony Xperia Z3 is one of the first to get this honor of testing the new operating system.

Android N Developer Preview now available for Sony Xperia Z3

Google surprised everyone with an early release of its next-gen mobile operating system versionlast month. While Android N is yet to get an official name (we are rooting for Nutella!), it has already received 2 developer previews so far. Offering improved Doze mode, multi-window split-screen multitasking, and better notifications handling, the upcoming OS will be a feature-rich offering from Google.

Working with Google, Sony has now announced that the owners of Sony Xperia Z3 variantsD6603 and D6653 will be able to flash the preview on their devices to try out the new operating system. Until now, Google has only offered Android previews on the Nexus lineup. Android N developer previews were seeded to Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6, Nexus 9, Nexus Player, and Pixel C. Developers and Android enthusiasts will be able to test their"apps with new system behaviors for saving power and memory. Extend [their]apps with new features such as multi-window UI, direct reply notifications and more,” Sony said.

Sony promises to deliver "official milestone updates as they get released throughout the preview." However, unlike Nexus devices which receive OTA updates for all the new firmware updates coming to Android N, users on Sony Xperia Z3 will have to manually flashpreviews with the Xperia Companion app available for Windows and OS X.

How to install Android N on Xperia Z3:

You can easily install Android N on Xperia Z3 if you own D6603 orD6653 variant of the device. Here is how to install Android N on Xperia Z3:

Connect your Xperia Z3 device to a Windows or OS X computerwith a USB cable.Xperia Companion, if installed, will open automatically.Xperia Companion version should be 1.1.24 or later. You can download the latest version fromhere.On you computer, hold down the ALT key and click onSoftware repairon the home screen; follow the onscreen instructions.You’ll be asked to disconnect and turn off your Sony Xperia Z3, then to reconnect whilst holding down theVolume Downkey to start the flashing process.

Note:You can return to factory settings at any time by connecting back to Xperia Companion and following theSoftware repair.Like Google, Sony alsocautions that the developer previewis notintended forusage as primary software.

Source | Via