How to Download Android 8.1 to Get Pixel 2 Features on Your Old Phone
Android: The Pixel 2 comes with special features that go beyond stock Android, and Google is now adding some of these additions to older Android 8.1 devices. The latest update won’t be officially released until December, but you can download the first preview version now with little effort.
How to download the preview version of Android 8.1
Installing the latest version of Android is easy, but first you need to make sure you have a device that supports the update. This is limited to Google’s own gadgets for now. This includes the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, as well as last year’s Pixel and Pixel XL phones. It also applies to the Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, and Pixel C.
When you’re ready, go to the Android Beta Program website and you’ll be prompted to sign in to your Google account. After that, you should see a page describing the preview system with the section “Your Suitable Devices”. Tap on the device you want to update and the Android 8.1 preview should start downloading automatically over the air.
What’s new in Android 8.1 Oreo?
Google hasn’t officially revealed what’s included in Android 8.1, but Gadget Hacks has already revealed several new features. Many are taken from the Pixel 2, and a couple are simple fixes that annoy Android 8.0 issues.
The best new feature might be the dark theme that Google introduced with the Pixel 2. To enable it, simply change the wallpaper on your home screen to a dark image and your menus and folders will automatically change to reflect it. It’s great if you don’t feel like staring at a white screen all day, especially at night, right before bed.
Android 8.1 has a semi-transparent notification shade from the Pixel 2 for a nice visual update. You will also get the new power menu featured in Google’s latest smartphone. It slides out from the side of the device where the physical power button is located and has a sleeker design than the old menu.
In terms of fixes, the latest Android update takes care of a couple of annoying notifications that couldn’t be dismissed on Android 8.0: Apps running in the background and Apps running on top of other apps. You still can’t just swipe them off, but Gadget Hacks has a separate guide on how to deal with these notifications in Android 8.1.
That’s all you need to know for now, although it’s possible Google may have more features in this Android 8.1 preview – or more in a second beta next month.