Google has issued an urgent security update for Pixel smartphones, rushing the patch out to more than a million devices after identifying a critical vulnerability that required immediate remediation. Google released the update outside its regular monthly security cycle, signaling an elevated risk tied to the flaw.
According to Google, the vulnerability affects core system components and attackers could exploit it under specific conditions. Although the company has not fully disclosed technical details, Google confirmed that the issue met its highest internal severity standards, prompting an accelerated rollout.
. Pixel devices are receiving the update first, consistent with Google’s policy of prioritizing its own hardware for critical fixes.
The update applies to multiple Pixel models currently supported by Google, including recent and older-generation devices still within their security update window. Users are being notified automatically and can install the patch via the system update menu. Google has advised users to apply the update as soon as it becomes available on their device.
The emergency release follows reports from internal and external security researchers who flagged the flaw during routine analysis. Google said it is delaying disclosure of the exploit mechanics to prevent active misuse while updates continue rolling out globally. The company has not confirmed whether attackers have already exploited the vulnerability in the wild.
This update arrives amid heightened scrutiny of mobile security, as smartphones increasingly store sensitive personal, financial, and work-related data. Pixel devices operate on Google’s Android platform and often receive fixes earlier than phones from other manufacturers, which rely on separate update schedules.
Google did not provide a timeline for when the same fix would reach non-Pixel Android devices, noting that availability depends on manufacturers and carriers. Security bulletins detailing the patch are expected to be updated once rollout stabilizes.
The latest update is Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1.1. It’s a pretty minor update, coming in at under 60MB on various devices, which is a stark contrast to QPR Beta 1 that was over 3GB. The update works for basically every phone Google pumped out since October 2021: Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel Tablet, Pixel Fold, Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8a, Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Pixel 9a, Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold.
The company reiterated that keeping devices updated remains critical, particularly when patches are released outside normal schedules. Users who do not see the update immediately may receive it in stages as distribution continues across regions and carriers.
