How to flash Android 6.0 Marshmallow (Nexus 5/6/7/9)

While you can wait for the OTA update, Google has released Android 6.0 factory images, allowing us to flash the software manually instead.

Factory Images:

Android SDK:

Apple Java Download:

Command Line Crash Course:

Follow us!

[ChrisRamirez]

I need this guy to wake me up out of bed every morning. He makes me feel like I can accomplish anything. Thanks Mark B!

[AbhinavSG]

updated my dad's Nexus 5 using your method. Was a cake walk just as it was for Nexus 6. Thanks once again. Been really helpful.

[DrealynWilliams]

Hey, Mike Burstiner and the folks at TechnoBuffalo, I want to thank you all so much. This was my first time rooting a device and before finding this video my attempts were extremely frustrating and I'm fortunate I did not "brick" my phone. I'm sure everyone has different reasons for upgrading Android, but my only reason was the get past the bug Android 5.1.1 had on the Nexus 6. I had no Mobile Data Connection when not on Wi-Fi. Troubleshooting and and wiping my phone entirely did not work, so rooting and upgrading to Android 6 was the only way to correct this problem. Again, I thank you and the TechnoBuffalo crew so much.

[KaueLima]

I've always looked for a good tutorial on flashing images. This is what I've looked all my life. Thanks Mark

[ewaako]

Thanks for this Mark. Took me 3 hours to do this on my Nexus 6 - it was my first time. now running Marshmallow. Loving it! Kudos to you

[SantiagoCordobaQuintero]

I tried to install it without using the -w command to erase before flashing and didn't work. After repeating the process using the -w command it worked perfectly.

Thank you!!

[alexabreu]

Definitely a bit of a challenge but well worth the effort of the end product, thank you for teaching us some command line and helping flash 6.0 marshmallow onto my Nexus 6!

[AbhinavSG]

thanks a lot for the awesome walk through. Had no issues whatsoever. did a totally clean install, erasing previous user data & system partition. worked like a charm. This was done on my Dad's Nexus 6, which he is going to enjoy as soon as I hand over the device to him.

[slice]

why don't you guys do these videos on Windows as most people have Windows?

[akaspeed]

this took me all night and most of the morning to get right, I had driver or ADB problems but eventually I got it right. good tutorial, phone is starting up now. thanks

[samalex]

Yeah... This guy is entertaining and more confident from the first video. He should be the go to after Jon

[Terrestrialbeing]

Great tutorial, complicated for average phone users. It took me a long time to just download all the developer tools you need to do this. And even then, It feels like open brain surgery on your phone, makes me nervous.

[LarryCoffer]

I used this on a PC to take a Nexus 6 from 5.0 to 6.0. It worked, first try. Make sure you can see your device and follow the instructions as if you were using a PC (i.e. remove "./")

[johnnyhvac]

Caught that nice "I'M THE REALEST" flash. #EPIC. Well done Mark.

[miglrodri]

Just updated right now on my LG Nexus 5! Great video.
Only problem i had was about the adb not seeing the device. But all that was needed was a "./adb kill-server".. All good, great tutorial! ;)

[fknpoewnd]

This really isn't complicated if you actually do it step by step and pause the video.

[stuffnetworks]

I actually have flashed using ADB many times but it's always following some guide, I get the basics of what I'm doing but I'm far from an expert. However for me it's always been on PC and currently I'm using a Macbook air so I was nervous because I'm still not all that comfortable with using my Mac for anything other than basic stuff. So I found this tutorial to be just perfect for me, managed to get 6.0 on my Nexus 5 :)

[McSaggler]

I'm pretty familiar with flashing Android on my Nexus 6 but this video is a helpful refresher.

Thanks!

[ARMA]

this video makes it seem much harder than it actually is.

[TerrySitu]

A very educated video. Thanks so much! We should have more videos on how to use our devices to their max potential instead of just reviewing new devices.