Google urges Pixel owners to update after three 'critical' security flaws are patched
Google has announced its latest update for Android, urging Pixel owners to upgrade their software to the newest version after three ‘critical’ security flaws were patched.
The October release includes a mixture of behind-the-scenes improvements and fixes for annoying bugs, but it also addresses several serious security vulnerabilities affecting supported Pixel devices.
Three of the flaws listed by Google are rated as critical, with the tech giant urging users to install the latest update once it becomes available on their device.
Google’s October security release covers supported Pixel phones, alongside updates to several Android services.
Pixel owners urged to update their devices
Google has addressed several bugs that could affect how Pixel phones work in everyday use, with Pixel 8 through Pixel 10 models receiving a fix for an issue that could cause noise or distortion during certain VoIP calls.
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Meanwhile, Pixel 8 through Pixel 11 devices are getting a fix for a problem that could occasionally prevent the virtual keyboard from appearing when users tapped into search fields.
Pixel 11 owners are also receiving a camera fix. Some photos and videos could previously be saved with the wrong orientation, potentially leaving users with content that needed to be manually corrected.
But the major concern are security vulnerabilities which Google fixes in this new update.
How to check for the Pixel update
If you own a supported Pixel, then it is worth checking whether the October update has reached your phone.
You can head to the Settings app, followed by System, and then Software updates and check for available updates.
Don’t panic if nothing appears immediately. Google’s Pixel releases are phased, so availability can vary depending on the specific model, carrier and region.
For most Pixel owners, there is little downside to installing the update once it is available.
Alongside the security fixes, the release tackles several everyday bugs, making it one of those updates that’s worth installing rather than putting off for another day.
And if you’re still using a Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro, this month’s update could be particularly significant if Google allows the phones’ regular support period to end as scheduled.
This comes after Google previously extended the support period for the two phones to five years, bringing their regular support window to October 2026.
Google has not yet confirmed whether the October release will definitely be the final update for the Pixel 6 series so you might want to update before it’s too late.