How to Install Android Pie on OnePlus 6?

OnePlus has recently launched the latest Oxygen OS Beta build based on the Android 9.0 Pie. While the OS is still in Beta, it shows enough promise to consider upgrading your OnePlus 6 to the Android Pie Beta build. It reportedly features a brand new user interface for the Android Pie and new gesture navigation based on the same OS among other features and system improvements. But that’s not all there is to it. The new Android Pie beta build also supports accent color customization and features a new Do Not Disturb mode with adjustable settings as well as a new Gaming Mode 3.0 with added text and third party call notifications, and new navigation system. With so many enhancements to the already existing OS, it seems to be quite difficult to pass on this offer.

However, since the operating system is still in Beta, there are a few downsides to it as well. For starters, some applications may not behave as expected when using this beta version. Furthermore, the Google Play Service might not work at times, and the Google Play Store might claim that “The Device is not certified by Google”. Looking at the pros and cons, it would seem that taking the upgrade doesn’t really give you much to lose. And in case you don’t like what you get, we’ve decided to add instructions on rolling back to your current version of Oxygen OS at the end of the article.

Before we begin with the steps, MP stands for Stable official version and DP stands for Developer preview version. We’ve posted steps for both, upgrading from MP to DP and from DP to DP. In addition we’ve also added steps to downgrading to the latest stable version. However, downgrading might result in clearing of the storage partition and would clear all the contents on your device, so upgrade only if you’re ready! Without further ado, let’s begin the steps, you can use the table of contents below and go to the section of your choice.

Upgrading from a Stable Version to Android Pie (MP to DP)

Most of the readers here will probably be upgrading from the stable version of the Android Operating system as installed on their OnePlus 6 devices. If that’s you, then follow these steps to upgrade your device to Android Pie:

1. First, download the ROM Upgrade package.
2. You should end up with a .zip file now. Next up, connect your phone to your PC using the charging cable.
3. Copy the ROM upgrade package to the outermost directory or root directory (don’t put in any folder) of your device storage and disconnect your phone from your PC.
4. Go to Settings.
5. Head into System Updates.
6. Tap on the Overflow icon (three dots) on the top right-hand corner.
7. Select local upgrade.
8. Choose the installation package which you had copied to your phone in step 3.
9. Tap on Immediately upgrade.
10. Wait for the upgrade to finish.
11. Reboot your OnePlus 6 phone.

When your phone reboots, it should have a new Android Pie OS installed in it. You have successfully installed the new Android 9.0 Pie beta build on your OnePlus 6 device. Enjoy!

Upgrading from Developer Preview to the latest Android Pie build (DP to DP)

Now if you’re a developer, you probably should know your way around the OnePlus 6. However, if you’re new to the developer arena, or you just installed the Developer Preview onto your OnePlus 6 phone and don’t really know how to upgrade your phone to the new Android Pie beta build, then you should follow the steps below to upgrade to the new Oxygen OS beta build from your Developer Preview version:

1. Download the ROM upgrade package.
2. Connect your OnePlus 6 to your PC and copy the .zip file to your phone storage. Make sure that it’s copied to the outermost directory (don’t put the file in any folder)
3. Go to Settings > System Updates > Overflow icon (three dots on the top right-hand corner of the screen.)
4. Select Local upgrade, you’ll see the zip file which you copied to your device in step 2.
5. Choose to Immediately upgrade.
6. Let the system upgrade completely to 100%. Now, this is where things differ from installing the new Android Pie beta build in the stable version.
7. Shut your phone down instead of rebooting it.
8. Enter the Recovery Mode by pressing down on the power button and volume down button simultaneously until the screen lights up.
9. Select Wipe Data/Factory Reset and confirm.
10. Reboot your phone once the Factory Reset is complete.

You have now upgraded from your Developer Preview version to the beta build of Android Pie on your OnePlus 6 phone. Take note, however, that this installation will erase all files that are currently on your device, so make sure to take a backup of all those files before you choose to install Android Pie on your OnePlus 6. This is done to ensure that the Developer Preview doesn’t create a conflict with the Android Pie beta build and cause the system to crash. Make sure to boot your phone in Recovery mode and Factory Reset your phone after the System Upgrade has been installed.

Downgrading from Android Pie to your stable version of Oxygen OS

While the Android Pie beta build does show quite a lot of promise, it might not be best suited for all, and some may even prefer the older OS of the OnePlus 6 in comparison to the new beta build because of issues on their favorite apps. As it turns out, rolling back the new OS is as easy as installing the Android Pie in the first place, with the steps following the same sequence. Follow these steps to Rollback your OnePlus 6 from your Android Pie beta build:

[eckosc_contrast_block]Note: Downgrading to the stable version from Android Pie will clear all the data on your device. So make sure you backup all the important data on your phone. We won’t be responsible for any data loss.[/eckosc_contrast_block]

1. Download the older stable version of the Oxygen OS.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and copy the Rollback installer into your phone storage, make sure it’s copied to the outermost directory (not inside any folders.)
3. Go to Settings > Tap on System Updates.
4. Tap on the Overflow icon (three dots on the top right-hand corner of the screen.)
5. Select Local upgrade.
6. Choose the rollback installer you copied to you OnePlus 6 in Step 2.
7. Choose to Immediately Upgrade.
8. Wait for the installation to finish.
9. Reboot your OnePlus 6.

Once the OnePlus 6 device reboots, the Android Pie beta build will have been rolled back and you would be left with the Stable Version of the Oxygen OS which you were using before you installed Android Pie. For whatever reason you may have decided to downgrade, it is now successful and you no longer have Android Pie on your OnePlus 6 phone.

These were the instructions on how to upgrade to Android Pie from both the stable version and the Developer Preview version on the OnePlus 6 as well as downgrading from the Android 9.0 Pie to the stable Oxygen OS. While the Android Pie build is still in beta, it still is quite promising. Remember that when you choose to upgrade or downgrade your phone, you do so at your own risk and that it can end up bricking your OnePlus if done incorrectly. Be sure to follow all the steps properly and decide whichever operating system you find better for the OnePlus 6: the Android 9.0 Pie beta build, or the stable Oxygen OS.