Google Pixel Tablet

limmk

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TL;DR
  • With the upcoming Android 15 QPR2 release, the VPN by Google service will likely be available for the Pixel Tablet.
  • VPN by Google is the replacement to Google One’s VPN service and is available exclusively for free on the Pixel 7 and later.
  • The service originally didn’t support the Pixel Tablet, but Google has finally added support in the latest Android 15 QPR2 Beta 1 release.



If you want to access geo-blocked content, then there are plenty of VPNs you can use to do so. It’s generally recommended to avoid free VPN providers if you value your privacy and want the best speeds, but if you own a Google Pixel device, then you should give Google’s VPN service a shot. VPN by Google is available exclusively for the Pixel 7 and later at no extra cost, but it hasn’t been available for the Pixel Tablet. That’s finally changing with the next Android release.

When Google killed off the VPN service offered with Google One subscriptions, it migrated Pixel users over to its new VPN by Google offering. They’re technically the same thing, except VPN by Google is available exclusively for select Pixel devices and is built into the Pixel’s operating system rather than being offered through the Google One app. By being built into the OS, the VPN can run without there needing to be a persistent “1” notification.

Although the Pixel Tablet is technically part of the same generation as the Pixel 7 series, it was excluded from the VPN by Google rollout. Google never commented on why it excluded the Pixel Tablet from the rollout, but thankfully, it has reversed course. With the latest Android 15 QPR2 Beta 1 release, the Pixel Tablet now has the VPN by Google service preinstalled. Two Pixel Tablet users confirmed to me that the service is now available and working and that the service’s Play Store listing no longer lists the tablet as incompatible.

Pixel VPN on Google Pixel Tablet


Google’s support page for VPN by Google hasn’t been updated to mention the Pixel Tablet yet, but it’s likely that will change as we approach the date for the stable release of Android 15 QPR2 (March 2025). While there’s a chance the inclusion of Pixel Tablet support is a mistake, I find that to be unlikely, as Google created and enabled a new build flag that specifically preloads the VPN by Google service onto the Pixel Tablet. The existence of this flag suggests that Pixel Tablet support is intentional and not a mistake, but we’ll still have to wait for Google to confirm.
 

limmk

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Agreed, Google's history of randomly cutting products, services etc. isn't doing itself any favours honestly.
Half hearted attempts for most of them too..
With Google, always feels like we’re just waiting to see when they’ll pull the plug 😅 the lack of long-term commitment and half-hearted execution really hurts confidence, even when the ideas are good lor
 

froztheart

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With Google, always feels like we’re just waiting to see when they’ll pull the plug 😅 the lack of long-term commitment and half-hearted execution really hurts confidence, even when the ideas are good lor
Even with plans for long term, their commitment issue is the one that is causing potential and existing users to be cautious. Then their half hearted execution and backtracking... Honestly a lot of their products are good, they should be the leader in the Android sphere anyways but oh well.
Even for me, I returned to Pixel but get dissapointed again due to the battery control issue. It's just like Google loves to screw their user base. :o
 

limmk

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Even with plans for long term, their commitment issue is the one that is causing potential and existing users to be cautious. Then their half hearted execution and backtracking... Honestly a lot of their products are good, they should be the leader in the Android sphere anyways but oh well.
Even for me, I returned to Pixel but get dissapointed again due to the battery control issue. It's just like Google loves to screw their user base. :o
True lah. good ideas, but execution and long-term support always shaky. Pixel especially- every time hope, every time battery disappoint :rolleyes:
 

froztheart

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Oh yes, to add on though that Pixel's AI integration is really great though since I do use them in my daily usage.
just quirks with how the battery is managed annoys the s out of me.
 

limmk

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Oh yes, to add on though that Pixel's AI integration is really great though since I do use them in my daily usage.
just quirks with how the battery is managed annoys the s out of me.
Ya lor, Pixel’s AI is really good and useful day-to-day. pity the battery management spoil the experience. machiam half-baked optimisation
 

froztheart

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Ya lor, Pixel’s AI is really good and useful day-to-day. pity the battery management spoil the experience. machiam half-baked optimisation
Agreed, burns the battery but day-to-day is really useful and functional.
At least better than Apple's AI implentation for now. :s13:
 

GeSteSoh

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Also good that with the price drop can buy one it's a really good google home display and backup for non essential/work usage.
 
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