Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 is rolling out, but sideloading files are strangely missing

Ben Schoon | Jun 11 2025 - 7:10 am PT

Google kicked off the rollout of Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 yesterday, but Pixel owners looking to skip the lengthy on-device OTA installation are still waiting for sideloading files to become available.

When looking to install a new Android build, especially a beta, there are three routes available. The most common is to just wait for an over-the-air update to be installed on your device. This works through the Android Beta Program and it installs just like a normal system update. We noted around 3:30pm PT/6:30pm ET last night that Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 was widely rolling out via that program, but Google’s other means of install was acting a bit funny.

The other way to install a new beta is via sideloading, either using a Factory Image (which generally resets your device) or an OTA file. The former is now available for download, but Google has still yet to upload OTA files.

If you head over to Google’s website, you’ll find that the latest build listed for Pixel devices is BP31.250523.006. This is the QPR1 Beta 2 release. However, the actual OTA files listed are still BP31.250502.008, the build that was released earlier this month as Beta 1.1. While OTA files can often lag behind factory images and the actual over-the-air update, it’s strange to see over 15 hours go by without these files being available for download.

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*The build number above is correct, but the builds listed are still from Beta 1.1*

It’s possible this is a simple oversight, but if you’re still waiting for these files, you might just want to try the standard Android Beta Program instead. While Seamless Updates tend to slow down the actual install, it’s certainly faster than waiting for whatever delay is currently ongoing.