10 Things You Should Do Before Installing Android 11

Finally, Google is rolling out the latest version of Android 11 to Pixel users. You may want to install the software right away, but you’ll want to make sure you prepare yourself and your device for the transition from Android 10 to Android 11.

Android 11 beta is finally over and Google has released the latest Android 11 build to Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL and Pixel 4a users.

If you’ve ever used the Android 11 beta on a Pixel phone, you already know what to expect. If you haven’t, there’s a lot to be excited about. Android 11 is packed with new features, including built-in screen recording, improved notifications, and several key improvements.

Some Pixel owners will want to install the Android 11 update as soon as the download appears, while others will benefit from taking the time.

Android 11 has gone through an extensive beta process, but the issues have gone through the cracks. It’s hard to predict what kind of performance you’ll get from new software, so it’s important to be prepared to download it.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through some steps you might want to do before installing Android 11 on your Pixel 2, Pixel XL 2, Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL or Pixel 4a.

These are the steps we usually take before installing new Android software on our devices and can help you avoid a headache or two.

Back up your files

Before downloading Android 11 to your phone, make sure all your important data is backed up. Data loss issues are pretty rare these days, but it’s always important to check before switching from one operating system to another.

First, you’ll want to make sure Automatic Backup is turned on for all your important data. If you’re not sure how to do this, Google Offers in-depth Auto Backup tutorials this will help you.

Review these tutorials if needed, double check all your files (photos, videos, game saves, etc.) and then move on.

Get to Know Android 11

If you skipped any of Google’s monthly updates and/or didn’t follow the Android 11 release path, make sure you’re familiar with these changes before downloading. In this way, you will not be caught unprepared for changes.

Google rolled out a steady stream of Android 10 updates in 2020. The company posted the content of each update on its site. Android Security Bulletin. If you don’t continue, we recommend that you review any updates you skipped.

If you are currently using the latest version of Android 10, we recommend that you understand the changes in Android 11 before upgrading.

Google’s published a guide this goes over some of the biggest changes in Android 11 and is worth a look if you haven’t followed the beta or watched any of the company’s announcements.

Collect Your Login Information

There is a possibility that the setup will log you out of some of your important apps and services, so you’ll want to have your login information handy.

If Android 11 logs out your core apps and services and you don’t know your login information, you can waste time tracking down your usernames and passwords. This can cause unnecessary delays at work, school, or a night you just want to relax.

If you’re not sure you know all your login details, or if you haven’t had to log into Google or your other apps or services in a while, be sure to follow up on this information before initiating the Android 11 download and installation.

Review Android 11 Feedback

If you have an older phone like the Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL, you may want to get feedback on Android 11’s performance before upgrading. New software can cause major problems on older devices.

Researching feedback from early adopters can alert you to potential benefits and potential issues with your device’s version of Android 11. Knowing these ahead of time will help you set expectations and prepare properly.

We’ve seen Android 11 feedback pop up on social media sites like Twitter and YouTube, as well as an increase in early feedback. XDA-Developer forumsand Google’s Pixel Help Forums.

Short-term feedback is great, but some may want to wait and get long-term Android 11 feedback from Pixel users in the US.

Clean Up Your Pixel’s Storage

The Android 11 update requires quite a bit of space (it was 1.58GB on our Pixel 4a), which means some of you might need to delete files to make room.

If you’ve owned your Pixel for a long time, you may have tons of clutter on board. You probably have games you no longer play, movies you no longer watch, photos you no longer look at, and music you no longer listen to.

If you are running out of free space and you want to install Android 11 on your phone as soon as possible, be sure to check your internal storage and check how much free space you have.

Even if you have enough space to download it, it might be a good idea to do some cleaning. It can help your Pixel’s overall performance.

Find Fixes for Possible Android 11 Issues

You are likely to encounter bugs or performance issues after installing Android 11. That’s why it’s important to be prepared.

We’ve already heard of the issues, and we expect the list to grow as more people install Google’s software.

Before downloading Android 11, you’ll want to watch for fixes for potential bugs and issues. Our list of fixes for common Pixel Android problems is a great one and highlights fixes for battery issues, Bluetooth, and more. If you can’t find a solution there, Take a look at the Pixel Help Forum.

Google’s next Android 11 update probably won’t be released until next month, so you’ll likely be on your own for a while. Make sure you are ready to resolve any issue that pops up.

Control with IT

If you use your Pixel for work, you may want to talk to your IT department (if applicable) before installing Android 11 on your phone.

Enterprise issues are common after major Android releases, so there’s a chance that Android 11 will have a negative impact on the apps and services you use at work.

If you don’t have an IT department, it might be a good idea to talk to your colleagues using Android 11 and see how the software treats them.

We also recommend checking the official forums of the app or service (if available) to see how others are doing on Android 11.

Check App Reviews and Install Updates

We recommend checking the Play Store for app updates before installing Android 11.

If you haven’t turned on automatic updates and you’re behind, be sure to check for the latest updates before upgrading.

The latest updates for your apps and services may support Android 11 built-in. This will help them stay stable in the new OS.

You may also want to read app reviews of Android 11 users. Their feedback can alert you to potential benefits and/or issues with the latest version of the app.

As we move away from the release of Android 11, we should see a steady stream of app updates.

Get Familiar with the Downgrade Process

We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the Android downgrade process before installing Android 11 on your phone. That way, if something goes wrong and you can’t find a manual fix for the problem, you can roll back to Android 10 right away.

If the Android 11 update starts causing problems on your Pixel and you can’t find a solution for your problems, you can try rolling back to Android 10 to improve your device’s performance.

There are a lot of resources out there, but this guide is good. Bookmark if needed.

Decide How to Download Android 11

It may take several days for Google’s upgrade to reach your device. If you don’t want to wait, you can manually install the update right now.

If you want to install Android 11 manually, this guide (for Android 10, but should work with Android 11) will take you step-by-step through the sideloading process.

If you are not satisfied with these instructions, you should wait for the update to come from Google over the Air (OTA). When the update is ready to download and install, your phone will prompt you to install the update. You can also check your Settings.

Manual installation can cause problems if you are not careful. If you are not confident in your abilities, wait for the software to install on your phone.