[Download] Nothing Releases Android 15 Beta Program Starting with Phone 2a, Nothing OS 3.0?

Earlier this month, Google rolled out the first public beta of Android 15 to the Pixel lineup. Now, right before the Google Keynote (Google I/O ‘24), Nothing Tech announced their own Android 15 Beta program for the Nothing Phone (2a)

Nothing is working on the next-gen OS based on Android 15 called Nothing OS 3.0. For that, the firm officially released the Android 15 Developer Program for the Phone (2a) with first Beat available for download now! This exciting beta grants you early access to the latest Android iteration, allowing you to tinker with new features and witness what the Nothing OS 3.0 has to offer.

However, the Android 15 Beta 1 may not be based on Nothing3.0 firmware just yet. Though, it comes with most of the Nothing OS features, apps, and some added AI features.

Here, checkout everything the Nothing Android 15 Developer Preview Program Beta 1 has to offer and how to download and install it.

What’s in Nothing Phone (2a) Android 15 Developer Preview?

• Glyph SDK Support: Nothing open’s its Glyph SDK to developers to support their own apps for the Glyph interface found on all Nothing Phones.
• Custom Wallpapers and Boot Animation: Nothing is offering a taste of their custom exclusive wallpapers and a new boot animation for the Nothing OS!
• Android 15 Features: Most of the core Android 15 functionalities can be tested using the DP.

Android 15 Features and Changelog

Here are all the Android 15 features and changes. Most are for developers, despite being a public build. Apart from the one listed for the Beta, here is the complete changelog.

Android 15 Beta 1 introduces something new for the developers:

1. Window inset changes
2. App-managed profiling with ProfilingManager
3. Inter-character text justification option
4. OS-level support for app archiving with PackageInstaller.requestArchive()
5. Changes to key management for end-to-end encryption
6. Wallet role

Camera and Media Enhancements

1. In-app Camera Controls: Android 15 introduces new extensions for enhanced control over camera hardware and algorithms within apps.
2. HDR Headroom Control: Developers now have the ability to fine-tune HDR (High Dynamic Range) content with the setDesiredHdrHeadroom API, striking a balance between Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) and HDR content for optimal viewing experiences.
3. Loudness Control: With the introduction of the LoudnessCodecController API, based on the CTA-2075 loudness standard, developers can manage audio loudness inconsistencies, ensuring a seamless audio experience across different content and applications.

Connectivity Improvements

1. Satellite Support: Android 15 extends platform support for satellite connectivity, accompanied by UI enhancements to provide a consistent user experience across satellite-enabled devices.
2. Smoother NFC Experiences: The tap-to-pay experience receives enhancements in Android 15, focusing on making NFC interactions more seamless and reliable, thereby enriching Android’s NFC app ecosystem.
3. Wallet Role Integration: A new Wallet role allows tighter integration with users’ preferred wallet apps, facilitating smoother transactions and enhancing user convenience.

Core Functionality Updates

1. Changes to Package Stopped State: Android 15 introduces stricter regulations regarding app removal from the FLAG_STOPPED state, emphasizing user-initiated actions and canceling pending intents to enhance system security and stability.
2. New Media Processing Foreground Service Type: Developers targeting Android 15 can leverage the new mediaProcessing foreground service type for operations like media transcoding, ensuring efficient resource utilization and improved performance.
3. Key Management for End-to-End Encryption: The introduction of the E2eeContactKeysManager class facilitates end-to-end encryption in Android apps, bolstering data security and privacy.

Developer Productivity and Tools

1. PDF Improvements: Android 15 includes significant enhancements to the PdfRenderer APIs, offering developers more versatile tools for working with PDF documents.
2. Automatic Language Switching Refinements: Additional controls introduced in Android 15 enable apps to fine-tune automatic language switching mechanisms, optimizing language localization for diverse user bases.
3. Granular Line Break Controls: TextViews in Android 15 now feature granular line break controls, preserving text layout integrity and enhancing readability for users across different screen sizes and resolutions.

Embracing New Form Factors

1. Cover Screen Support: Android 15 introduces support for cover screens on supported flippable devices, allowing apps to adapt their UIs for enhanced usability on these unique form factors.

Privacy and Security Enhancements

1. Screen Recording Detection: Android 15 empowers apps to detect screen recording activities, enhancing user privacy and security.
2. Protecting Files Using fs-verity: The FileIntegrityManager in Android 15 incorporates new APIs for leveraging the fs-verity feature in the Linux kernel, bolstering file security and integrity.

User Experience Enhancements

1. Improved Do Not Disturb Rules: AutomaticZenRule enhancements in Android 15 enable apps to customize Do Not Disturb rules more effectively, enhancing user experience and device usability.

Download Android 15 for Nothing Phone 2a

Here, download the Android 15 Beta package, which will help you upgrade to the latest Android 15 from Nothing Tech.

Note: The EEA & Global variants have the same firmware now as they have been unified! This is great news as you only need a single file. Codenames – Pacman (Global) – (Europe) – (India)

• Android 15 Beta for Nothing Phone 2a | Download
• Download the roll-back package | Download

How to Install Nothing OS Android 15 for Phone 2a?

Warning: Before you dive headfirst into the installation process, it’s crucial to understand what you’re getting yourself into. This is a developer preview, which means it’s an early build intended for developers and advanced users. It might have bugs, missing features, and stability issues. Regular users are strongly advised to wait for a more polished, official release.

Important Considerations Before Installation

• Backup is Critical: Upgrading to the Developer Preview will erase all your data. Creating a comprehensive backup is absolutely essential.
• Unstable Software: Be prepared for bugs, crashes, and unexpected behavior. This is a developer preview, not a daily driver experience.
• Limited Functionality: Certain Nothing apps like X/Weather, Launcher, Recorder, and Widgets might not be pre-installed.

Installation Procedure

• Go to “Settings > About phone > Software info” to confirm that your system has been updated to the latest version (Nothing OS 2.5.5a). If not, please go to “Settings > System > System update” to check for updates.
• Download the latest software update package.
• Create a folder named “ota” (without the quotes) at the root of the internal storage. Meaning outside every folder.
• Copy the OTA update ZIP file from above to that folder.
• Open the phone app and Dial *#*#682#*#*

• The local update tool should launch.
• In the drop-down list that appears, select the upgrade package you just copied.
• Tap the “Directly apply OTA from selection” button to start updating.
• Reboot your device after the upgrade process is complete.
• A pop-up will appear asking if you would like to reboot your device. We strongly recommend selecting “Confirm” here, as upgrades require a reboot to enter the new version.
• Upgrade successful

Note: If the dialer doesn’t work in your region,

You can also use the Activity Launcher app or QuickShortcutMaker to locate and execute the “OfflineOTAUpgrade” tool.

How to roll back to the stable build?

This roll-back solution will erase all the data of your devices. Please be sure to backup first.

1. Download the roll-back package from above.
2. Follow the same steps from above.