You no longer need a Nexus device to get your hands on Android M early. Sony has made the Developer Preview available on a dozen Xperia devices, including the flagship Xperia Z3, but you’ll need to flash it all by yourself.

Before you go ahead and do that, there are some things you need to know. The current Android M build is called a “preview” for a reason; it’s to give developers early access to the software so that they can ensure that their apps will be compatible when it rolls out to all this fall.

It is not intended for day-to-day use, and it’s not completely stable. With that in mind, it’s only really good for secondary devices you don’t rely on — and not your daily driver.

This is the list of devices Sony has an Android M preview for:

• Xperia Z3
• Xperia Z3 Compact
• Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact
• Xperia Z2
• Xperia Z2 Tablet
• Xperia Z1
• Xperia Z1 Compact
• Xperia Z Ultra
• Xperia E3
• Xperia M2
• Xperia T2 Ultra
• Xperia T3

Sony has published a how-to guide on installing the Android M preview on these devices, which involves unlocking their bootloaders. However, the company does not provide a flashable image; you have to download the necessary binaries and create one yourself.

It’s a fairly lengthy process, then, but it will be well worth it if you’re itching to get your hands on Android M.

• SourceSony