Download Android 14 GSI: How to Install on Any Smartphone

In this updated guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to install Android 14 GSI on any Project Treble-supported smartphone or tablet. Whether your device is eligible for the official Android 14 update or not, you can manually flash the Android 14 GSI to enjoy the latest features. Let’s dive into the updated guide.

What is GSI in Android?

A Generic System Image (GSI) is a system image file developed by Google to be compatible with any Android device supporting Project Treble. This enables users to install the latest version of Android, even if their device doesn’t officially receive updates from the manufacturer. The GSI package is tailored for Android devices running Android 8.0 Oreo or later, making it accessible to many users.

Please Note: Remember that your device should have an unlocked bootloader before flashing the Android GSI package; the process requires a full factory reset of your handset to remove all data. So, make sure to take a full data backup before doing anything else to avoid losing your important data if something goes wrong with the GSI flashing or bootloader unlocking.

What is the Benefit of Installing GSI?

Installing GSI on your device has a major benefit: having the latest Android OS version, just like the Pixel devices. Eligible Google Pixel device users can easily install the newly launched Android OS update without waiting months or years. So, even if your device is old enough or isn’t compatible with the latest Android OS release, you can still install the same using GSI within a few weeks of the official release.

That means you can get the latest version of Android on your non-Pixel device more than anyone else. because even if any other non-Pixel Android device model is eligible to receive the latest Android OS update (for example, Android 14), the manufacturer might take quite a long time to roll out the update officially via OTA channels. After unlocking the bootloader, you can quickly flash a custom firmware or enable root access on your device.

Android 14: Overview and Features

The most recent iteration of Google’s mobile operating system, Android 14, was officially launched in October 2023. This update offers a range of new features and improvements, such as customizable lock screens, AI-generated wallpapers, enhanced camera image quality, and elevated security protocols. Furthermore, users can expect a more polished user interface, enhanced battery optimization, and expanded accessibility options. Initially available for Pixel devices, the roll-out of Android 14 to other Android smartphones will occur gradually over the next few months. Moreover, the Android 14 GSI (Generic System Image) enables non-Pixel device users to gain early access to the new OS features.

 

Highlighted Features of Android 14 according to Google:

• All new UltraHDR mode in photos and videos will look great on HDR display devices
• Android 14 brings monochrome themes that can be used to match up the widgets & app icons
• A customizable lock screen
• Generative AI wallpapers to choose an unlimited number of options
• The mobile camera now can be turned into a webcam
• Detailed app data-sharing info
• Enhanced PIN security
• One-tap Google Home control updates
• Improved magnification with the texts
• Nonlinear font size scaling
• Font size quick settings tile
• Improved hearing aids
• Flash notifications while getting calls
• Drag & drop feature in between switching apps
• Clock shortcut in the notifications shade
• All new silent mode icon on the status bar
• A prominent charging indicator on the status bar
• Low battery warning
• Separated ringtone & notification volume settings
• A new mouse cursor
• More delightful user-switching animation
• Improved image permission dialogue
• Optimized background operations
• A new animation effect of the media player while on the notifications shade
• An improved Health Connect feature
• And so on…

How to Install Android 14 GSI on Any Smartphone

Now, if you’re one of the interested Android fans to grab the latest Android 14 GSI and experience new features on your Project-Treble supported handset, follow this in-depth guide to install it correctly. So, without wasting any more time, let’s jump into it.

Download Android 14 GSI

Here you can easily get the latest Android 14 GSI file for your non-Pixel device (running Android 8.0 or later) without worrying about the eligibility from your OEM or even without waiting for the OTA update to arrive. Even if your specific device model is eligible to receive the Android 14 OS update from your OEM, the chances are high that it might take a couple of months from now on to receive the stable version.

Android 14 QPR1:

Date: December 05, 2023
Build: UQ1A.231205.015
Security patch level: December 2023
Google Play Services: 23.32.17

Android 14 QPR1	Download Links
ARM64 + GMS	Download
ARM64	Download
x86_64 + GMS	Download
x86_64	Download

 

Check the CPU Architecture

Grab the specific GSI package according to your device’s architecture. To check your device’s architecture, you can run the following command on your PC via the ADB & Fastboot method Windows computer after connecting your handset to it using the USB cable.

adb shell getprop ro.product.cpu.abi

Once you’re aware of your device’s architecture, download the particular GSI package from the link above. Now, you’ll have to follow all the requirements one by one.

Pre-Requirements:

• This GSI file and guide are only applicable to Project Treble-supported devices.
• Make sure to check whether your device supports Project Treble or not.
• Maintain at least 50% of battery charge.
• Take a full data backup of the device without Root before doing anything.
• Your device bootloader should be unlocked. [Required]
• Enable OEM Unlocking and USB Debugging on your device.
• Download and Install the Android USB Drivers on your PC/Laptop.
• A PC/Laptop and a USB cable are required. (for Fastboot method)
• Install the ADB & Fastboot Platform Tool for Windows/MAC. (for Fastboot method)

Installation Steps

• First, you’ll need to perform a factory reset on your phone. [You can also reboot to Recovery mode and perform a factory reset]
• Keep in mind that OEM Unlock and USB Debugging are already enabled on your phone. If not, do that too.
• We assume that you’ve already installed the ADB & Fastboot Tool on your PC. If not, visit the download section, and install it.
• Now, transfer the downloaded Android 14 GSI file to your computer and extract it. Copy and paste the system.img and vbmeta.img files into the ADB & Fastboot folder for ease.
• Connect your Android device to the PC/Laptop by using the USB cable and authorize the device (if prompted).
• Now, launch a command prompt on your PC from the extracted GSI folder by typing cmd in the address bar and pressing the Enter button on your keyboard.
• Restart your device into bootloader mode or fastboot mode by typing the following command in the command prompt and pressing the Enter key:

adb reboot bootloader

• This will reboot your phone into Fastboot mode.
• You can run the following command to verify the Fastboot connection. If already connected, you’ll get back the fastboot device ID.

fastboot devices

• Next, you’ll have to disable Android Verified Boot (AVB) by running the command below:

fastboot flash vbmeta vbmeta.img

• Next, type in the following command and hit the Enter button to delete the existing system partition on your device:

fastboot erase system

• Use the following command to install the Android 14 GSI package:

fastboot flash system system.img

• The installation process will start and will take some time. So, please wait for it.
• Once the installation process is done, you will need to enter the following command to wipe the user data partition:

fastboot -w

• Finally, restart your device by executing the command below:

fastboot reboot

• Enjoy! The first boot may take some time after the OS upgrade. Now, your device should boot into vanilla Android 14 OS successfully.

Disclaimer: Though we won’t recommend flashing the initial build of Android 14 on your primary device, you can try it out on a secondary device. Currently, it contains multiple bugs or stability issues, so it depends on whether you’ll wait for the stable release.

That’s it, guys. We assume this guide was helpful to you. If you have any further queries, feel free to ask in the comment section below.