On the first Monday of every month, Google rolls out its security updates for its Pixel Android phones including the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro.
And this month is no exception, with Google's latest Android security update going live yesterday. And it's highly recommended for phones from the Pixel 4a onwards, so be sure to grab it if you're a Pixel user.
As ever Google has published full details of what's in the update, which you'll find on the Pixel Phone Help site. But the short version is that in addition to solving some security issues it also fixes some battery and charging issues, solves an occasional display flicker problem and makes the Photos app less crashy.
What's coming next for Google Pixel phones?
If you're a little underwhelmed by the update, don't be: more fun stuff is coming very soon. December should see the final release of Android 13 QPR1, which is currently in open beta testing, and it's also when the next Pixel Feature Drop is due.
Pixel Feature Drops are Pixel-specific updates that bring new features, and during the most recent Made By Google event we were promised that the next 2022 Pixel Feature Drop would a new, free VPN for Pixel 7 and Pixel Pro users. We're also expecting some Pixel 7 features to become available on the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, such as spatial audio for the Pixel Buds Pro.
For now, though, think of the latest Pixel update as a bit of essential housekeeping. It's rolling out now and should reach you within the next week depending on the model of Pixel you have and which carrier you're with.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
Writer, musician and broadcaster Carrie Marshall has been covering technology since 1998 and is particularly interested in how tech can help us live our best lives. Her CV is a who’s who of magazines, newspapers, websites and radio programmes ranging from T3, Techradar and MacFormat to the BBC, Sunday Post and People’s Friend. Carrie has written more than a dozen books, ghost-wrote two more and co-wrote seven more books and a Radio 2 documentary series; her memoir, Carrie Kills A Man, was shortlisted for the British Book Awards. When she’s not scribbling, Carrie is the singer in Glaswegian rock band Unquiet Mind (unquietmindmusic).
-
Google's "Willow" quantum chip won't just change future computers, it could change the world
Willow smashes benchmarks at a level hard to comprehend
By Chris Hall Published
-
Pixel 9a leaks again, showing Google is heading in a new direction
Newly leaked images of a "Pixel 9a prototype" appear to confirm Google's changed design direction
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
Google Maps is getting its best free update yet and it’s a game-changer
The best traffic warnings are coming to the main Maps app at last
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
Google's Pixel Watch Loop Bands seem very familiar, but also refreshing
And it's compatible with older Pixel Watch models too
By Britta O'Boyle Published
-
YouTube beats Spotify to the punch with a much-loved feature
What did you listen to most?
By Britta O'Boyle Published
-
Apple MacBook Pro to get a major rival from an unlikely source, claims report
Could we see a resurgence of the Pixel name in the laptop world?
By Britta O'Boyle Published
-
Google TV Streamer finally getting the puzzle piece it's been missing since day one
Solves my biggest issue with the streaming device
By Rik Henderson Published
-
Google Pixel Tablet 2 to add a major something that was missing on first-gen, claims report
Google is said to be preparing the Pixel Tablet 2 with an official keyboard case
By Chris Hall Published