[Google Pixel Update📱] Android 15 May Security Update rolling out

[xonix]

I'm glad Google came to their senses

https://www.androidauthority.com/pixel-camera-9-7-quick-access-controls-3506245/

I received the 9.7 camera update with quick adjustment sliders on my Pixel 7 Pro liao. Do note, you will have to enable it in the settings for it to appear.

 

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In 2024, Made by Google rolled out big updates with new features to Pixel phones on six occasions. The year saw everything from routine operating system updates to entirely new apps and even a rebrand.

January Feature Drop​

The year in Pixel updates started with a January Feature Drop — delivered through app updates — that coincided with the launch of a “Mint” Pixel 8 and 8 Pro.

The main addition allowed the Pixel Thermometer app to record body temperature. Readings are taken from your forehead and can be saved to the Fitbit app. Circle to Search launched on the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, while Photomoji and Magic Compose (powered by the on-device Gemini Nano) in Google Messages exited beta. Google also highlighted the Quick Share rebrand (from Nearby Share).

This release was ultimately better than waiting for the next quarterly cycle. We have yet to see another unscheduled Drop, but it’s a nice precedent to have, especially as a surprise.

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March Feature Drop​

We returned to the usual cadence in March with a Pixel Feature Drop that coincided with Android 14 QPR2. This sizable OS release introduced an expandable Bluetooth Quick Settings Tile and Material You volume slider. When Casting or screen sharing, we got the option to just capture a single app.

Call Screen gained a “Hello?” button to prompt the caller, while “I’ll be right there” results in “One sec, checking with the person you called.” On the Pixel Tablet, Google made official the Gboard Voice Toolbar to let you use speech-to-text without having the full keyboard open. (This would be nice to have on phones.)

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June Feature Drop​

The Pixel 8a launched a month earlier but the only addition was Audio Emoji in the Pixel Phone app.

The Pixel 8 series received a bigger update in June with Display Port Support for connecting to an external screen via USB-C, while the 8 and 8a got Gemini Nano after Google previously said it wasn’t coming for Recorder Summarize and better Gboard Smart Replies.

On the Camera (version 9.4) front, Google introduced improved HDR+ frame selection on the Pixel 6+, while the Pixel 6/7 Pro and Fold received Manual Lens Selection.

Android 14 QPR3 wasn’t a big update as this version neared the end of its cycle with only various tweaks in the Settings app. One particular regression was how Gboard lost granular keyboard vibration controls for an on/off toggle. The Android Webcam also gained a High Quality Mode.

Pixel 9 series launch​

The Pixel 9 series launched with Android 14 in a departure from precedent. Some features, like the tweaked screenshot preview UI, introduced during the Android 15 Beta were backported. Ultimately, Google gets a pass since the phones launched months early, but this should not happen again. We have since learned that the next version of Android (16) is launching in Q2 2025 instead of Q3/4.

With the Pixel 9, Google released three new apps:

• Pixel Screenshots: Google is indexing your screenshots for easy search/recall. This is a good, practical application of AI, with the underlying purpose — including manual collections — addressing a common pain point.
• Pixel Studio: Image generator with on-device diffusion model running on Tensor G4 and Imagen 3 in the cloud. The sticker creator from existing images is an underrated aspect of the app. We’re still waiting for generating images that include humans.
• Pixel Weather: Google made a weather app for Pixel devices that features both AI summaries and cityscape backgrounds. It’s a simple client with just enough customization. However, it desperately needs widgets that aren’t shared with the Google app. A wider range would also be nice.

Gemini Live is heavily advertised as an aspect of the Pixel 9 series, but the conversational mode was never really an exclusive since Gemini Advanced subscribers on all Android devices got it at the same time. There was also the launch of Gemini Nano with Multimodality.

The big Pixel Phone app addition is on-device Call Notes to get a summary of conversations, though people are happy to finally have transcripts. Clear Calling quality got an improvement, while there’s also Satellite SOS.

On the camera front (version 9.5), we have:

• Add Me lets everyone be in the (composite) image without asking somebody else to take the picture.
• Panorama redesign with Photo Sphere inspiring the design. (It remains to be seen whether spherical capture makes a return in the era of Android XR.)
• Magic Editor lets you reframe a shot, while Reimagine lets you add/replace anything in a photo.
• Video Boost updates result in Night Sight Videos being processed in the cloud at twice the speed.
• Super Res Zoom Video at up to 20x.

 

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Android 15/October Drop ​

Android 15 introduced Private space, while Predictive back was enabled by default. All devices picked up the redesigned screenshot and copied text preview in the bottom-left corner, as well as a Home Controls screen saver. By default, Bluetooth will “Automatically turn on tomorrow” when you disable it. On tablets and foldable, you can have a persistent Taskbar and the ability to Save app pairs (also on phones)

Meanwhile, “Pixel Feature Drops” were renamed to just “Pixel Drops.” (This was far from necessary.) Underwater photography and video recording with any waterproof case came to the Pixel 9 series, while all devices got a dedicated slider to access Night Sight.

Adaptive Vibration takes into account sound levels in your current context to reduce how loud ringtones, notifications, and alerts are.

Meanwhile, the Pixel Weather became available for the Pixel 6+, while the new Pixel Thermometer UI with live camera preview came to the Pixel 8 Pro. The Pixel 8 series also received the Audio Magic Eraser upgrade that lets you adjust specific sounds and voices.

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December Drop ​

Finally, Google closed out the year in Pixel updates with the December 2024 Drop and Android 15 QPR1:

• Android 15 QPR1: Material You Settings redesign, Limit to 80% charging optimization, status bar chip for Casting, screen recording, and sharing, thicker Pixel 9 status bar, globe icon when keyboard is open
• Pixel Screenshots: The app’s first major update adds Gboard, Circle to Search, and Google Wallet, as well as auto-categorizing filters
• Pixel Studio: Google is embracing the sticker aspect with Gboard integration
• Pixel Recorder: Clear voice to reduce background noise.
• Gemini: Wide rollout of the Messages, Phone, Spotify, and Utilities Extensions
• Call Screen: Gemini Nano-powered contextual replies on the Pixel 9 series, while all devices can see the live transcript for automatic Call Screen
• Simple View
• Now Playing: Album artwork
• Identity Check: Face/fingerprint authentication before changing your device passcode, Theft Protection, and other sensitive settings, as well as accessing passwords/passkeys, when you’re in a new location (non-Trusted Place). This is not yet widely rolled out
• Pixel Camera: Dual Screen Portrait Mode on foldable with Made You Look coming to the original Fold. Of course, version 9.7 also introduced Quick access controls to make white balance, brightness, and shadows easier to access.
• Pixel Tablet: Lockscreen widgets, VPN by Google access, desktop windowing developer option

Finally, Google officially announced an additional two years of Android OS updates for the Pixel 6 and 7 series for a full five years.

 

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Earlier this month, Google began rolling out the December Pixel Drop update to all eligible devices. Along with the new features, the update brought fixes to several bugs that appeared under certain conditions. However, it seems that the experience is not entirely positive in all cases. Some Pixel users have been reporting connectivity issues after installing the December update.

Some Google Pixel users are reporting connectivity issues after the December update​

In most of the reported cases, the December update negatively impacted the quality of connectivity. Pixel phone owners claim to be experiencing constant mobile data drops that prevent them from connecting to the internet. Affected devices display an exclamation mark in the status bar indicating that they cannot use mobile data but can still make calls since they do not actually lose signal.

There are cases of owners of devices from the Pixel 6 to the Pixel 9, so the connectivity issues after the December update do not seem to affect a particular model or series. Users have tried a few workarounds to try and mitigate or resolve the issue, but not everyone has been successful. The most common tip that many have tried is to reset the mobile network settings of their Pixel devices. You can find the option under Settings > System > Reset options > Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth. Note that this will wipe all of your saved WiFi and Bluetooth connections.

You can also try disabling the 4G/VoLTE calling feature as a potential fix. The option is available under Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs > Provider’s name.

The potential cause of the problem​

Some affected users claim that the issue is occurring because the phones are not connecting to as many cell towers as before after the update. User Rainer_B even noticed with the Network Signal Info Pro app that their Pixel 6 is now constantly stuck on a single network band. Previously, their device switched between three bands dynamically.

It’s not that all Google Pixel device users are experiencing such issues. However, they seem to be enough to make waves on forums and social media. Anyway, there’s still no official word from Google on the matter, so it’s not clear if they’re aware.

Connectivity issues are not unknown to Pixel device users. Historically, the modems on these phones have had similar problems since the Pixel 6. Anyway, the Pixel 9 series features a new modem that finally resolved them. The latest incident seems more to blame for a potential bug in the December update than the hardware.

 

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The ability to limit the charge that your Pixel can take is one of the biggest and best additions in Android 15 QPR1 – AKA the December Pixel Drop. However, it has an issue. The 80% limit does not stay activated while your phone is powered off.

Once you have updated to the December 2024 patch on eligible Pixel phones, you’ll gain access to a new toggle in the Battery section of the Settings application. This allows you to go beyond the default charging optimization settings and limit the total power taken on by your Pixel device to 80% of its total charge capacity.

Modern cell phone batteries have a finite lifespan that is affected by a number of things, including heat and charge cycles. The common consensus is that if your phone battery is only allowed to charge to 70 or 80% of its factory capacity, it will theoretically last longer than the average lifespan of the internal cell due to lower wear and tear.



Many other OEMs have had charge-limiting features for a number of years now, so it’s a welcome option for Pixel phone owners who want to set a charge limit and, hopefully, decrease the need for a battery replacement later on.

Recently, we’ve noticed that even if you have the 80% charge limit set on your Google Pixel, when powered off, it will not adhere to this strict setting and will charge beyond it up to 100%. This is super frustrating and could be an indication that this is controlled when the Android system is powered on and not at a lower system level – hence why it is going beyond the 80% limit when the device is fully powered down.

Luckily, most people ordinarily leave their phones powered on at all times, making this less of an issue. That said, it is still an issue that some might have encountered already and not been made aware of. Some other Android devices and even the iPhone will often power on when plugged in or on a wireless charger after a short period. Google phones still don’t do this. Instead, they stay powered off until you choose to power back on.

With that in mind, if you are steadfast in keeping your Pixel charge level below the 80% limit or threshold, then you’ll need to make sure you power on shortly after plugging in.

 

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The first update for Google’s line-up of Pixel devices has arrived for 2025, with builds for all still-supported Pixels from the Pixel 6 up through the newly launched Pixel 9 series. The update is expected to be mostly minor with bug fixes, as December was the launch of a Pixel Feature Drop with new goodies and plenty of squashed issues. For January’s Pixel update, we aren’t likely to see any major changes.

As for which devices are getting the January Pixel update, it should be like the past several updates, barring some surprise from Google (like the expansion of updates for the Pixel 6, Pixel 7, and Fold). The full list includes the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7 and 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, Pixel 8a, Pixel Fold, and Pixel Tablet. The newest members of the family, the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold are all included as well.

The January Pixel update comes in 3 different builds for Global (almost everyone), Telstra, and EMEA. We have them all listed below to help you figure out which one you need if you plan to update manually. For those just taking the over-the-air update, you’ll get the proper build without needing to do anything.

Global

• Pixel 6: AP4A.250105.002
• Pixel 6 Pro: AP4A.250105.002
• Pixel 6a: AP4A.250105.002
• Pixel 7: AP4A.250105.002
• Pixel 7 Pro: AP4A.250105.002
• Pixel 7a: AP4A.250105.002
• Pixel Tablet: AP4A.250105.002
• Pixel Fold: AP4A.250105.002
• Pixel 8: AP4A.250105.002
• Pixel 8 Pro: AP4A.250105.002
• Pixel 8a: AP4A.250105.002
• Pixel 9: AP4A.250105.002
• Pixel 9 Pro: AP4A.250105.002
• Pixel 9 Pro XL: AP4A.250105.002
• Pixel 9 Pro Fold: AP4A.250105.002

Telstra

• Pixel 7: AP4A.250105.002.B1
• Pixel 7 Pro: AP4A.250105.002.B1
• Pixel 7a: AP4A.250105.002.B1
• Pixel Fold: AP4A.250105.002.B1
• Pixel 8: AP4A.250105.002.B1
• Pixel 8 Pro: AP4A.250105.002.B1
• Pixel 8a: AP4A.250105.002.B1
• Pixel 9: AP4A.250105.002.B1
• Pixel 9 Pro: AP4A.250105.002.B1
• Pixel 9 Pro XL: AP4A.250105.002.B1
• Pixel 9 Pro Fold: AP4A.250105.002.B1

EMEA

• Pixel 6: AP4A.250105.002.A1
• Pixel 6 Pro: AP4A.250105.002.A1
• Pixel 6a: AP4A.250105.002.A1

What’s included

The January 2025 update includes bug fixes and improvements for Pixel users – see below for details

Audio

• Fix for audio delay and stability issue when using certain apps*[1]

Camera

• Fix for issue with camera stability when switching to a connected camera under certain conditions*[2]

Display & Graphics

• Fix for issue with flashing lines on screen in certain conditions*[2]

User Interface

• Fix for issue with Pixel launcher themed icon color display in certain conditions*[1]

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Device Applicability

Fixes are available for all supported Pixel devices unless otherwise indicated below. Some fixes may be carrier/region specific.

*[1] Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8a, Pixel Fold, Pixel Tablet, Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9 Pro Fold
*[2] Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9 Pro Fold

Google (and its carrier partners like Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T) will begin pushing these updates over-the-air shortly (Settings>System>System update), but if you don’t want to wait for Google and prefer to update manually, you will soon find each factory image or OTA file at the links below.

Links:

• Factory Images
• OTA Files
• Pixel/Nexus Security Bulletin
• Pixel Security Update Changes

 

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TL;DR

• Several Pixel users have been facing issues with the back gesture after installing the Android 15 update on their devices.
• Affected users report inconsistencies with back gesture activation when swiping inward from the right side of their phone’s screens.
• Google has finally addressed the underlying issue and will release the fix with a future update.

The Android 15 update brought several new features to Google’s Pixel devices but also introduced an annoying bug that’s been bothering users for months. The bug affects the back gesture on Pixel phones, preventing users from returning to the previous screen when swiping inwards from the right edge of their phones.

Although temporary fixes like switching to three-button navigation, rebooting, and adjusting gesture sensitivity seemed to help some users, the bug has persisted for most others. Thankfully, Google has successfully addressed the issue and plans to release the fix with a future update.

The bug’s IssueTracker entry now has a “Fixed” status (via PiunikaWeb), and a recent comment from a Googler confirms that a fix will roll out “in an upcoming release.” Unfortunately, the entry doesn’t highlight the underlying cause, so we can’t say what exactly caused the back gesture to malfunction following the Android 15 update.
We expect Google to share more details when it releases the bug fix. We’ll update this post with relevant information as soon as it goes live.

 

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February is here already and that means a new Google Pixel update wants to download and install on your device. For this latest patch, we are expecting some bug fixes and security improvements without much else as we wait for the March quarterly update to drop with all sorts of new goodies.

This new update for Google’s Pixel line-up will begin hitting devices starting today and could then take a week to finish rollout depending on carrier and device.

As for which devices are receiving the February Pixel update, it should be like the past several updates. The full list includes the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7 and 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, Pixel 8a, Pixel Fold, and Pixel Tablet. The newest members of the family, the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold are all included as well. Will the Pixel 9a be joining the list soon? Maybe.

February Pixel Update Builds

• Global
  • Pixel 6: AP4A.250205.002
  • Pixel 6 Pro: AP4A.250205.002
  • Pixel 6a: AP4A.250205.002
  • Pixel 7: AP4A.250205.002
  • Pixel 7 Pro: AP4A.250205.002
  • Pixel 7a: AP4A.250205.002
  • Pixel Tablet: AP4A.250205.002
  • Pixel Fold: AP4A.250205.002
  • Pixel 8: AP4A.250205.002
  • Pixel 8 Pro: AP4A.250205.002
  • Pixel 8a: AP4A.250205.002
  • Pixel 9: AP4A.250205.002
  • Pixel 9 Pro: AP4A.250205.002
  • Pixel 9 Pro XL: AP4A.250205.002
  • Pixel 9 Pro Fold: AP4A.250205.002
• T-Mobile
  • Pixel 9: AP4A.250205.002.C1
  • Pixel 9 Pro: AP4A.250205.002.C1
  • Pixel 9 Pro XL: AP4A.250205.002.C1
  • Pixel 9 Pro Fold: AP4A.250205.002.C1
• Telstra
  • Pixel 7: AP4A.250205.002.B2
  • Pixel 7 Pro: AP4A.250205.002.B2
  • Pixel 7a: AP4A.250205.002.B2
  • Pixel Fold: AP4A.250205.002.B2
  • Pixel 8: AP4A.250205.002.B2
  • Pixel 8 Pro: AP4A.250205.002.B2
  • Pixel 8a: AP4A.250205.002.B2
  • Pixel 9: AP4A.250205.002.B2
  • Pixel 9 Pro: AP4A.250205.002.B2
  • Pixel 9 Pro XL: AP4A.250205.002.B2
  • Pixel 9 Pro Fold: AP4A.250205.002.B2
• EMEA
  • Pixel 6: AP4A.250205.002.A1
  • Pixel 6 Pro: AP4A.250205.002.A1
  • Pixel 6a: AP4A.250205.002.A1

February Pixel Update Bug Fixes

• Security: Provides the most up to date Android security patches for your device.
• Audio issue: Addressed an issue with audio output in Android Auto under certain conditions.
• Bluetooth (Pixel 9 series): Fix for issue occasionally preventing connection with certain Bluetooth devices or accessories

Google (and its carrier partners like Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T) will begin pushing these updates over-the-air shortly (Settings>System>System update), but if you don’t want to wait for Google and prefer to update manually, you will soon find each factory image or OTA file at the links below.

Links:

• Factory Images
• OTA Files
• Pixel/Nexus Security Bulletin
• Pixel Security Update Changes

 

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The March Pixel Feature Drop is here! Google is releasing the March Pixel update today as both the big quarterly update that should take care of bugs and introduce subtle changes in Android, but it’s also a feature drop that brings in tons of new features. If you own a Pixel device, from the Pixel 6 up through the new Pixel 9 series, you have new stuff on the way that you’ll soon be enjoying.

For this latest March Pixel Feature Drop, Google is adding anywhere from 10 to 15 new features across Pixel devices, plus they are expanding a bunch of AI features to new countries, satellite messaging to more carriers, and more.

If you recall, the December drop was a big one, but this is also a large update for Google’s devices. Here’s everything new!

What’s new in the March Pixel Feature Drop​

Gemini Live video and screen sharing: We talked about this one yesterday, so just to recap, Google is bringing video and screen sharing to Gemini Live later this month. That means you’ll be able to fire up Gemini Live and then share your screen with it to carry on your conversation and get more info, or you could use your camera and point at objects in the wild to further that AI conversation.

AI-powered scam protection in calls and texts: Google is using AI to try and help you avoid being scammed and they are doing that with scam detection in both calls and texts. AI analyzes conversations on-device in real-time to try and catch a scammer saying something that you should be warned about. Your phone then pops-up messages to let you know that AI believes you could be within a scam attempt and you may need to take action.

They first started testing their AI-powered scam detection in calls back in November and are now doing the same in Google Messages. If a scam is detected, you’ll be given actionable items that can block and report those on the other end. In calls, you’ll see “Not a scam” and “End call” buttons, depending on the situation.

For calls, this is now available to the Pixel 9 in the US. For Messages, you’ll find this in the Pixel 6 and up (as well as in most Android phones). More info.

Pixel Fold adds video recording to Dual Screen: The Dual Screen feature from Google’s foldables is adding video capabilities on the older Pixel Fold with this update.

Pixel 9 Pro Fold adds Add Me to Dual Screen: For the 9 Pro Fold, Google has included its Add Me trick to Dual Screen, so now it should be easier than ever to take those shots and then add yourself into them.

GoPro camera streaming with Pixel 9: We’ll try to update this as we have more, but Google has worked out an integration with GoPro to let you stream with multiple cameras through your Pixel 9. You can see this in the image below-left, with Google announcing that through select social media apps, you can use this multi-camera feature to have more professional-looking shots with fun angles.

Auto transcribe of audio files transferred to your phone in Recorder: Google is opening up the Recorder app to be more useful if you bring over recordings from another device. Now, on the Pixel 6+, you can bring in recordings and the Recorder app will attempt to automatically transcribe them for you. How cool is that?

Pixel Studio lets you create images of people now: This one could get interesting – Google is finally adding the ability for you to use Pixel Studio to create images with people in them. There should be guardrails in place, but you all know the world is about to test that. Styles like “video game” or “3D cartoon” are there, so have some fun, in safe and proper ways.

Find My Device adds people tracking: This is a part of the March Android feature drop, but yes, Pixel phones will also be able to track people and share their own location in the Find My Device app. It’ll receive an update with a new “People” tab in beta that lets you share, set time limits, and more.

Satellite messaging on Verizon, T-Mobile: On the Pixel 9 series, Google says that users can now connect to satellite messaging services from both Verizon and T-Mobile and text friends, family, and anyone else. We’ll see if we can find out more info, like pricing.

Pixel Screenshots suggestions for collections: Pixel Screenshots is an odd app, but it’s seeing an improvement by attempting to automatically suggest screenshots be added to your specific collections. Hopefully, this helps organize your life without much work. I guess I’ll give it a try for the first time in 5 months.

Pixel Screenshots works with work profiles: Pixel Screenshots can now work with your work profile, which is actually a pretty big deal. I could see someone wanting to keep track of stuff as a part of their work account, but that was a previous limitation.

Talk to type in Gboard gets new Voice Toolbar: Gboard is getting a new Voice Toolbar that is supposed to help you dictate to type. This is coming to all Android and Pixel phones.

Modes are here in place of DND: We initially thought this was an Android 16 feature, but instead Modes are now here with this quarterly March release. Modes are an expansion of Do Not Disturb in a way, as Modes can include setting Bedtime, Driving, or Relax “modes” depending on your current situation. You can also create your own. Again, it’s like DND, only with more controls and because DND doesn’t exactly capture all situations.

March Pixel Feature Drop expansions​

• Google AI expands to Japan: In Japan, Pixel owners can now use Pixel Screenshots, Pixel Studio, see AI Weather reports and the pollen tracker, and AI summaries in Recorder.
• Google AI expands to Germany: For German users, Pixel Screenshots, Pixel Studio, and the Pixel AI Weather experience is coming too.
• Satellite SOS expands to EMEA, Canada, HI, AK: Yep, those areas can now contact emergency services via satellite when without a cellular connection, at least on the Pixel 9 series.
• Gemini Live expands to 45 languages with 2.0 Flash: We’re now up to 45 languages for Gemini Live through Gemini 2.0 Flash.
• Multimodal capabilities expands to Pixel 6 and newer and Pixel Fold: Multimodal capabilities in Gemini Live is expanding to the Pixel 6+.

There you have it! That’s all that is new in the March Pixel Feature Drop. We’ll continue to update this post as Google gives us even more details and more info, including rollout timing and/or device specifics.

// Google

 

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For months we have been testing Android 15 QPR2, knowing that it would release in March as a major quarterly update. It has dropped today as the March Pixel update, and it also happens to be the March Pixel Feature Drop with at least a dozen new features for Pixel owners to take advantage of.

This new March update for Google’s Pixel line-up will begin hitting devices starting today and could then take a week to finish rollout depending on carrier and device. We always hope these things ship immediately, but there really are carrier hang-ups from time-to-time that slow things down.

As for which devices are receiving the March Pixel update, the full list includes the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7 and 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, Pixel 8a, Pixel Fold, and Pixel Tablet. The newest members of the family, the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold are all included as well. I’d imagine we will be adding the Pixel 9a to the list before long.

Here are the builds for your specific Pixel model:

Global

• Pixel 6: BP1A.250305.019
• Pixel 6 Pro: BP1A.250305.019
• Pixel 6a: BP1A.250305.019
• Pixel 7: BP1A.250305.019
• Pixel 7 Pro: BP1A.250305.019
• Pixel 7a: BP1A.250305.019
• Pixel Tablet: BP1A.250305.020.T2
• Pixel Fold: BP1A.250305.019
• Pixel 8: BP1A.250305.019
• Pixel 8 Pro: BP1A.250305.019
• Pixel 8a: BP1A.250305.019
• Pixel 9: BP1A.250305.020
• Pixel 9 Pro: BP1A.250305.020
• Pixel 9 Pro XL: BP1A.250305.020
• Pixel 9 Pro Fold: BP1A.250305.020

Taiwan+EMEA

• Pixel 9: BP1A.250305.020.A2
• Pixel 9 Pro: BP1A.250305.020.A2
• Pixel 9 Pro XL: BP1A.250305.020.A2
• Pixel 9 Pro Fold: BP1A.250305.020.A2

March Pixel update bug fixes​

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Apps

• Fix for stability or performance with certain apps using WebView*[2]

Audio

• Fix for issues with adjusting call volume on calls over BT headsets*[3]

Camera

• General improvements for camera stability in certain conditions*[2]

Display & Graphics

• Fix for display stability and performance in certain conditions*[1]

System

• General improvements for system stability and performance in certain conditions*[2]

Telephony

• General improvements for network connection stability and performance in certain conditions*[2]

User Interface

• Fix for issue occasionally causing color theme in launcher preview to not match with the selected wallpaper in certain conditions*[3]
• Fix for issue with home screen icons to appear transparent after unlocking or switching apps in certain conditions*[2]
• Fix for issue with switching between apps when using third party launchers in certain conditions*[2]
• Fix for issue with themed icons in certain conditions*[3]
• General improvements for performance and stability in certain UI transitions and animations*[3]

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Device Applicability
Fixes are available for all supported Pixel devices unless otherwise indicated below. Some fixes may be carrier/region specific.

• *[1] Pixel Fold, Pixel 9 Pro Fold
• *[2] Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8a, Pixel Fold, Pixel Tablet, Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9 Pro Fold
• *[3] Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8a, Pixel Fold, Pixel Tablet, Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9 Pro Fold

Google (and its carrier partners like Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T) will begin pushing these updates over-the-air shortly (Settings>System>System update), but if you don’t want to wait for Google and prefer to update manually, you will soon find each factory image or OTA file at the links below.

Links:

• Factory Images
• OTA Files
• Pixel/Nexus Security Bulletin
• Pixel Security Update Changes

 

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Following the March 2025 update that landed earlier this week, quite a few Google Pixel owners have noticed that vibrations and haptic feedback have changed. What do you think?

The March 2025 update for Google Pixel devices delivers the latest Feature Drop and the final big update on top of Android 15. There’s quite a bit to look forward to, but there’s one change not mentioned by Google, at least according to Pixel owners.

A number of users claim that vibrations and haptic feedback have changed with the latest Google Pixel update. This can be seen through numerous Reddit threads, and with a number of different Pixel devices listed as well. Some users say that vibrations suddenly feel stronger, while others say that vibrations feel “hollow.” Some say that something simply feels different, but without a clear way of saying what’s changed.

We didn’t notice any issues on a Pixel 9 series device, but it seems that Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, in particular, are the devices affected by this change. A number of Pixel 8 owners have also mentioned feeling changes to haptic feedback as well.

As mentioned, Google didn’t list any changes to vibrations in the March 2025 changelog, so it’s safe to assume this is probably a bug. The March 2025 update is based on Android 15 QPR2, the final major update on top of Android 15, but Google will continue to roll out monthly patches to Pixel devices, leaving plenty of opportunities to fix this problem in the coming weeks.

 

[limmk]