Get Started with Android M Preview 3 on Nexus 5

Google uploaded the developer preview build of new Android 6.0 Preview Build 3 on Google Developers site. So it’s easy to grab the factory image and flash on your Nexus device Google couple of months ago released Android M Preview 2 and we have written about it how to get started with Android M Preview 2. Google finally revealed the name of its new Android 6.0 OS known as ‘Marshmallow‘.

Google is very close to released its final version of Android 6.0 maybe with new Nexus 5 (2015) edition. Anyways, let come to topic, if you want to test out the Android 6.0 Preview 3 on your Nexus device, check out the steps below to get started with the process. Flashing is same if you done before then you pretty aware of the steps.

Android M Preview 3 comes with many new improvement and features, like App Permissions, Do not Disturb, Screenshot now with share & delete option, app drawer new look, external storage and many tweaks to improve performance and security.

Let’s check out the installation process:

Warning: Before you start this process you should be aware that install a factory image will wipe out all of the data on your Nexus 5. As such, make sure that you have backed up everything you do not want to lose so you can restore it when the installation completes.

{Things You Need}

You need a few things to start with:

• ADB tools and driver (download from AndroidPIT)

Factory image for Nexus 5:

• Android M Preview 3 (MPA44G) “hammerhead” for Nexus 5 (GSM/LTE)

Then extract the downloaded files on your computer.

{Unlock Bootloader}

If you have already unlocked the bootloader of your Nexus 5 then you can skip this step, but if not, here’s how to do it:

• Turn off your Nexus 5.
• Press and hold Volume Down and Power to enter the Fastboot menu.
• Connect the Nexus 5 to your computer via USB cable.
• Go into adb-treiber folder and install UniversalAdbDriverSetup if you haven’t done before.
• Go into the adb-tools folder and hold the Shift key on your keyboard then click the right mouse button on any free area of white space in the Windows Explorer window. Select ”Open Command Window Here” with your left mouse button.

• Once the command window is open, enter the following command to unlock the bootloader:-> (fastboot oem unlock)

• Press the Volume Up button on the Nexus 5 to accept the command and press the Power button to confirm. The bootloader will now be unlocked, and all data will be lost.

{Install Factory Image}

• Get your Nexus 5 into Fastboot by turning it off and pressing Volume Down and Power until Fastboot appears.
• Connect the Nexus 5 to your computer with a USB cable.
• On your computer, navigate to the unpacked directory that contains the factory image of Android M Preview 3 for your device.
• Copy all Android M Preview 3 and  unpacked files to adb-tools folder.
• Double click the flash-all.bat file and wait until the installation is finished. Your Nexus will reboot itself after completion.

• Press and hold Volume Down and Power to enter the Fastboot menu.

• Go into the adb-tools folder and hold the Shift key on your keyboard then click the right mouse button on any free area of white space in the Windows Explorer window. Select ”Open Command Window Here” with your left mouse button.

• Once the command window is open, enter the following command to lock the bootloader:-> (fastboot oem lock)

{Troubleshooting}

If your Nexus 5 gets stuck in a bootloop at the Google logo on startup, do the following:

• Disconnect your Nexus from your computer and turn it off.
• Press and hold the Volume Down and Power button to enter Fastboot.
• Use the volume buttons to highlight Recovery Mode and press Power to confirm

• If you have a custom recovery like CWM you’ll enter it immediately. If you see the Android laying on its back just press the Power button and Volume Up button briefly to enter stock Recovery.
• In the recovery menu, use the volume buttons to highlight wipe cache partition and press Power to confirm.
• Scroll down to wipe data/factory reset and press Power to confirm. Reconfirm your seelction and let your Nexus reset.
• If your Nexus doesn’t reboot automatically you can select reboot system now from the menu and hit Power to confirm.

That’s it, you’re done. Nexus should now boot successfully. The very first boot process takes several minutes by the way, so do not be surprised if it takes longer than what seems usual.

{Android 6.0 Marshmallow Features}

New Boot Animation

Android 6.0 Boot Animation

Android 6.0 comes with new boot animation, and its very creative to see evolve of android with new generation. Very futuristic.

Volume control & Options

Now you able to control ringing volume all from the homescreen and cut, copy , share option will pop up as you select the words. That’s seems to be very useful feature and simply makes your editing documents or sharing much faster.

Do not disturb

Android 6.0 comes with very useful feature, now you able to put your smartphone on ‘Do not disturb’ mode, so now you can enjoy life peacefully. In this you will get 3 options to choose like ‘Total silence, Alarm only and Priority mode’.

Screenshot improvement & App drawer

Android 6.0 screenshot features comes with new improvement, now with share and delete option. App drawer now improved, and lets you search for an app. Now it slides in vertical directions. Though many of us love the previous one which slides horizontal, hope in final we may see changes.

Storage & USB

Now you able to connect your usb storage device into your android smartphones. Android 6.0 comes with USB storage functionality too, so now you don’t have to use any 3rd party app for using this functionality.

Memory – Battery – App permissions

In android main issue about the battery and this makes us little worried about the usage, battery drains a lot and we not able to manage it before. Now in Android 6.0 you able to tweak memory, battery and most important featured added is app permissions, now you able to customized app permissions.

Android 6.0 – Marshmallow

Android 6.0 Preview 3 comes with lots of improvement, and we will see many more improvement in final build. Hope you all enjoyed the post, if you have tested this new build, do share your views with us in comment below. Thanks!