Android P Beta for Xperia XZ2
Use the P Beta to test your apps with the new features of Android P. This way you can make sure your apps are compatible with Androids new upcoming version. This Android version is an early baseline build intended for developers only. Test, develop and send us your feedback in order to meet your needs. Get an overview of all the new features and learn how to get started for your Xperia XZ2 – versions H8216, H8266 and H8296.
Learn more about this beta version at Android P Beta.
The Android 9 Pie Beta period has now come to an end and we would like to thank all developers involved during this time. All of you who tested and sent us feedback on the software, much appreciated!
To know when Android 9 Pie is available for your device, please stay updated to the Sony Mobile blog for related news.
To return to official software, please connect your device back to Xperia Companion and follow the Software repair instructions.
New features
Here are the new features and improvements of Android P for you to try.
Indoor Positioning with Wi-Fi RTT
Support for the IEEE 802.11mc WiFi protocol - also known as WiFi Round-Trip-Time (RTT) - to let you take advantage of indoor positioning in your apps.
Display cutout support
Android P offers support for the latest edge-to-edge screens with display cutout for camera and speaker.
Improved messaging notifications
New MessagingStyle notification style - it highlights who is messaging and how you can reply. You can show conversations, attach photos and stickers, and even suggest smart replies.
Multi-camera API
On devices with either dual-front or dual-back cameras, you can create innovative features such as seamless zoom, bokeh, and stereo vision.
ImageDecoder for bitmaps and drawables
Android P gives you an easier way to decode images to bitmaps or drawables. ImageDecoder lets you create a bitmap or drawable from a byte buffer, file, or URI.
HDR VP9 Video, HEIF image compression, and Media APIs
Built-in support for HDR VP9 Profile 2, so you can now deliver HDR-enabled movies to your users from YouTube, Play Movies, and other sources on HDR-capable devices.
Data cost sensitivity in JobScheduler
In Android P, JobScheduler handles network-related jobs better for the user, coordinating with network status signals provided separately by carriers.
Neural Networks API 1.1
Expanding and improving the Neural Networks API to accelerate on-device machine learning on Android.
Autofill improvements
New APIs that allow password managers to improve the Autofill user experience
Open Mobile API for NFC payments and secure transactions
On supported devices, apps can use the OMAPI API to access secure elements (SE) to enable smart-card payments and other secure services.
To learn more about the new features, please visit the Android P Features and APIs page.
Indoor Positioning with Wi-Fi RTT
Display cutout support
Messaging notification
Flash your device
Before flashing your compatible XZ2 device with Android P Beta there are a few things you need to be aware of, so please read the following information carefully.
Important information
This is a beta software for your device, intended for application development and not for daily use. Please be aware that it might be unstable and functionality might be under development. All personal content in the device will be lost and you cannot use Backup or Restore as long as you run the preview software.
Not all variants of XZ2 will have the support for the P Beta software, only versions H8216, H8266 and H8296. Operator customized devices will not be able to download the Android P Beta software version. To make sure you get a compatible device, the safest way is to buy a device directly from Sony Mobile.
The Dual Sim functionality that is present in H8266 and H8296 is not supported in Android P Beta.
How to flash your compatible Xperia XZ2 device
There are 3 variants of Xperia XZ2 that can be flashed with Android P Beta, H8216, H8266 and H8296.
Note: Please do a factory reset of your device before you flash your device. The user data would have been erased regardless of this step but the device should be clean when installing the software.
Here’s how to flash your device:
- Make sure you have Xperia Companion v2.1 or later installed on your computer. If not, download the latest Xperia Companion from here
- Start Xperia Companion
- Hold down the ALT key (on computer) and click on "Software Repair" on the home screen
- Tick the checkbox “My device cannot be detected or started”, then click “Next”
- Wait for the initialization to complete, then follow the instructions on the screen
Note: You can return to factory settings/Xperia SW at any time by connecting back to Xperia Companion and following the Software repair (without holding ALT key).
Once you have flashed your device with the P Beta software, all subsequent software releases will be provided via over-the-air updates. See Latest updates & Known issues for more information.
Send feedback
Google is keen to integrate developer feedback as early as possible into Android P - the sooner the feedback is received, the more of the feedback can be integrated. When you find issues, please report them in the dedicated board on our talk forum.
Before reporting your issues, please take a look at the already known issues.