Android 16 is coming faster than usual and it has already reached the Platform Stability milestone with Beta 3. Xiaomi is boarding the train early with the release of its Android 16 Developer Preview Program for two phones.
The Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 14T Pro are the chosen test subjects. The former launched with Android 15, while the latter originally ran Android 14, so this is its second major update. They also represent two major platforms – Qualcomm (Snapdragon 8 Elite) and MediaTek (Dimensity 9300+), respectively.
If the name didn’t give it away, this release is intended for developers who want to test their apps on Android 16 and try out the new APIs and features.
If you want to try the beta, you must update the phones first. The Xiaomi 15 should be running OS2.0.109.0.VOCMIXM or later, while the 14T Pro should be on OS2.0.103.0.VNNMIXM or later.
There are two methods of updating. One is using the local update feature – you can download the ROMs from Xiaomi’s Android Beta page, then go into the Settings and pick the ROM to install. You can also download ROMs for Android 15/HyperOS 2 if you want to downgrade back to the current OS version.
The other update method goes through Fastboot and requires that you have an unlocked bootloader, so the local update method is preferable. Keep in mind that this will wipe your data, so back it up first.
There is an Android Beta Feedback app built into the ROM, so if you stumble into any issues with the software, you can send a report to Xiaomi.
Last year, Google started seeding Android 15 to Pixel phones in mid-October. Xiaomi announced HyperOS 2 at the end of October and released the update for the Xiaomi 14 just days later. Google is expected to release the stable version of Android 16 in May.
