How To Install Android 6.0 Marshmallow On Nexus 5, 6, 9 or Nexus Player [Preview 3]

Google has officially announced the name and version number of next iteration of Android. The announcement came from Google’s developer blog officially yesterday, Google also unwrapped the new Android Marshmallow Android statue at its HQ. The highly anticipated Android M stands for Android Marshmallow and the version number is going to be Android 6.0. Android M 6.0 focuses on core Android system enhancements. It brings better security, better battery life and better performance. Back in May, when Google announced Android M, it allowed its Nexus users to taste the under development developer previews. Google soon rolled out the 2nd developer preview images and now with the name and version number announcement, Google pulled out the 3rd preview of Android Marshmallow. The 3rd Android M preview contains fixes to the bugs found in previous preview builds, and is much secure to flash as compared to preview 1 and 2.

It’s obvious that whenever Google will release the very first full Android M images, the Nexus devices will be the first ones to get it, but if you still can’t wait for the update to roll out officially, you can get your hands on the upcoming Android M by flashing the Android M 3rd preview images via ADB tools. The images are safe to flash, you can easily revert back your system in case something goes wrong. In case you’re wondering how you will flash the images or if you’re new to the term ADB, you may not worry at all as we are going to show you the complete process in the following tutorial.

We are going to show you how you can install Android 6.0 Marshmallow Preview 3 on your Google Nexus 5, Google Nexus 6, Google Nexus 9 and Google Nexus Player. Let’s go ahead without any further ado and get it done now.

Here are some pre-requisites in order to make this installation safe and secure

1. This guide is only for Google Nexus 5, 6, 9 and Nexus Player. Do not try this tutorial on any other device. It may result in bricking it.
2. Your phone’s battery should be charged at least over 50%. This is recommended in order to avoid power issues during the flashing process.
3. Enable USB debugging mode on your device. You have to enable developer options first. You can do so by going in to settings > tap build number for 7 times. Now you will have developer options in settings. Open developer options > Enable USB debugging.
4. Backup all your important contacts, text messages and call logs. Also copy your media content to your PC. Backup is recommended as your device will be wiped during the flashing process.
5. Download and install latest Google USB drivers. Installation of these drivers will be a little different. Download the file from the attached link and unzip it. Now connect your phone to your PC. Right click “Computer or This PC > Click on Manage > Device Manager > Find your device i.e. Nexus 5 or Nexus 6 > Right click Update driver > Browse My Computer For Driver Software > Locate and select the Google USB folder that you got after unzipping > select install now”.
6. Once the installation has been completed, your device will be shown as Android  Composite ADB Interface.
7. Download and install Minimal Android ADB & Fastboot drivers on your computer.

Download Android M Developer Preview image file according to your phone.

• Nexus 5 GSM/LTE: hammerhead-MPA44G-preview-3fff4cf7.tgz
• Google Nexus 6: shamu-MPA44G-preview-6ad5fb56.tgz
• Google Nexus 9: volantis-MPA44G-preview-7ff8343a.tgz
• Google Nexus Player: fugu-MPA44G-preview-f9cc2862.tgz

Extract the downloaded image file to get the following files:

• flash-base.sh
• flash-all.sh
• flash-all.bat
• bootloader
• radio

How To Install Android M Developer Preview Now:

1. Copy all the .img files from the extracted folder to Minimal ADB & Fastboot Folder in C>Program Files > Minimal ADB & Fastboot folder.
2. Now connect your Nexus device to your PC. Make sure that you’ve followed all the pre-requisites prior to this step.
3. Now open Minimal ADB & Fastboot.exe file from the shortcut on your desktop or from the Minimal ADB & Fastboot folder under program files in your Windows drive.
4. To verify your device’s connection with your PC issue this command:
   

   adb devices

5. It should show you the list of attached devices followed by a code.
6. Once you’ve verified the connection, issue the following command and press enter: adb reboot-bootloader
7. Your Nexus will now reboot into bootloader mode.
8. Once done, navigate to the folder where you extracted the contents of downloaded zip file.
9. From the extracted files, run the script “flash-all.bat”.
10. Follow on-screen instructions and sit back while it flashes Android M Preview 3 on your Nexus.
11. That’s all. Your Nexus will now boot into the newly installed Android M Developer Preview.