Android 7.1 Nougat Developer Preview 2 Released for Nexus Devices; Final Build Before Android 7.1.1 Rollout

Last month, Google released Android 7.1 Nougat developer preview for Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, and Pixel C devices. Now, the search giant has released the update to its developer preview, Android 7.1. Nougat Developer Preview 2, for devices that received the earlier developer preview as well as Nexus 9.

Google has clarified that Developer Preview 2 will be the last developer preview release before the company starts rolling out Android 7.1.1 Nougat platform to its ecosystem. "With Developer Preview 2, you can make sure your apps are ready for Android 7.1.1 and the consumers that will soon be running it on their devices," the company said in a note to developers. The Android 7.1.1 Developer Preview 2 comes with near-final system behaviours and UI, along with the latest bug fixes and optimisations across the system and Google apps as per the company.

In order to get the Android 7.1.1 Developer Preview 2 on your compatible device, you can sign up for the company's Android Beta Program, which was announced earlier this year, and receive the update over-the-air. You can also choose to download the factory image for the preview from the Android website and flash it to your compatible device - though this will require flashing your smartphone and losing your data.

Google will be rolling out Android 7.1.1 to the full lineup of supported devices as well as Pixel and Pixel XL devices early in December, the company said - the list includes the General Mobile GM 4G Android One smartphone and the Nexus Player. Builds currently rolling out are NPF26F - for the Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X, Nexus 9 - and NPF26H - for the Pixel C.

"Android 7.1.1 includes the developer features already available on Pixel and Pixel XL devices and adds optimisations and bug fixes on top of the base Android 7.1 platform," Google said.