Google released the November 2021 update for its Pixel phones to address several known issues and vulnerabilities.
All Pixel phones that have received Android 12 are eligible for the November update, except for the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. Additionally, it includes fixes for the newly launched Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. In contrast, Google has not addressed the screen flickering issue that some early users noticed. The company announced that it will fix that problem next month.
Eligible Google Pixel phone models for November 2021 Android update
The November 2021 Android update is going out for the Google Pixel 3a, Pixel 3a XL, Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5, Pixel 5a 5G, Pixel 6, and the Pixel 6 Pro, the organization said in a community announcement. It will be available to users through an over-the-air (OTA) update in phases. You will get a notification when the update will reach your Google Pixel phone.
Notably, the list of Google Pixel phones compatible for the November 2021 update does not include the Pixel 3₹ 20,950 and Pixel 3 XL₹ 23,980. Both phones did get the Android 12 update last month, but Google has now considered them end-of-life — suggesting that they will not receive any more Android version upgrades as well as guaranteed security updates. The Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL were started in October 2018.
The November 2021 Android update includes improvements and fixes
Google detailed the improvements and fixes included in the November 2021 Android update. They will not be limited to the newer Pixel phones, but will also be available for the older models.
The update fixes a bug that prevented notification sounds from playing under certain conditions and improves stability for certain third-party apps. It also fixes issues to prevent incorrect app icons to appear after installation, keyboards displaying over apps, and UI elements hiding in certain circumstances.
In addition, the update addresses performance issues related to transition animations on the Overview screen in some cases. All these changes are meant for phones ranging from the Pixel 3a to Pixel 6 Pro.
In addition, the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro have received specific improvements for audio quality, wireless charging behavior, and auto-brightness response. Google has also improved the Pixel phones’ connection stability and fixed Picture-in-Picture (PiP) media playback. All these fixes are meant for specific apps and conditions, so you may not notice any significant changes after installing the update.
Google said the November update contains several fixes and improvements across several areas, including device performance, stability, connectivity, and more.
However, the November update does not fix some of the issues experienced by early Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro users. Among them is the screen flickering problem that affected only the Pixel 6 Pro. It has acknowledged that issue in a support document and promised to fix it as part of the December update.
In the meantime, the company advises users to avoid seeing the flickering effect on their screen by not cycling the power button when the phone is off. It has also confirmed that the issue is not hardware-related.
Through the November 2021 Android update, security issues will be addressed
In addition to fixes and improvements, the November 2021 Android update fixes several security flaws. Several security loopholes are marked as “High” severity. Additionally, the update fixes a few “Critical” and “Moderate” vulnerabilities.
According to Google’s latest Android security bulletin, one of these issues is a critical vulnerability in the System component which could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code within the context of a privileged process using a specially crafted transmission.
In addition to the Pixel phones, the November update includes security patches for regular Android phones. According to Google, all the issues were reported to its Android handset partners, and the source code patches for all flaws addressed will be released to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP).
In the coming days, you can expect smartphone makers to release the November security patch for their devices.
Google Pixel phones that are eligible for the November 2021 Android update
Google has begun rolling out the November 2021 Android update for Pixel models in batches. By going to Settings > System > System update, you can manually check for the update on your Pixel phone. To download the update package, make sure your device has over 50 percent battery charge and has an active Internet connection.
Google Releases November 2021 Android Update With Specific Fixes for Pixel Phones https://t.co/cSLqpQoKOl
— Newslogic.in (@Newslogic_in) November 2, 2021
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