Latest news with #PixelUpdate
Forbes
5 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Google Pixel Phone Battery Problems: Google Explains Cause. Here's How To Fix It
Google updated its Pixel phones earlier in May with a routine update. Some users surprisingly found their battery life plummeting. Why would a simple tweaks and fixes update do this? Google has now commented and explained the fault. Here's how to fix it. Google Pixel 9 Getty Images The update arrived on May 6, with security patches for the Pixel 6 and later handsets. It was an update not to be skipped, because it had 28 security issues which were addressed in it. It also had some feature tweaks, such as a fix for a problem where the microphone wasn't recording well and a solution for problems caused when pairing by Bluetooth with selected smartwatches was impacted. So far, so normal. But soon after installing it, some Pixel users noticed terrible battery life, as reported by 9to5Google. Not only was the battery life dwindling much faster than usual, there were also reports of overheating issues. 'As always with battery issues following an update, much of this can boil down to perception. However, with the quantity of user reports circulating, it's hard to write this one off. The issue appears to be affecting all Pixel devices, from 2021's Pixel 6 up to the latest Pixel 9 generation,' the site commented. Now we know why. Talking to the same site, Google has explained that it wasn't its fault at all. 'Speaking to 9to5Google, Google says that battery issues being reported by Pixel owners with the May 2025 are due to an ongoing bug with the Instagram app and have nothing to do with the May update itself,' it said. It's good to know the reason but that doesn't solve the problem, of course. However, there's good news. It seems that the Instagram issue makes sense as a number of complaints about battery life commented that Instagram was 'eating up battery life'. And better news: the latest Instagram update fixes the issue. If you've been suffering with it, update Instagram pronto and it looks like it'll solve the problem.
Phone Arena
20-05-2025
- Phone Arena
Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1 is here with a fresh coat of Material 3 Expressive
Google has kicked off the next phase of Android 16 development with the release of QPR1 Beta 1, the first test build leading up to the September Feature Drop. Available now to Pixel owners enrolled in the Android Beta Program, the update includes new platform features, visual upgrades, and important system-level or Quarterly Platform Releases, are Google's way of refining Android between major OS versions. This latest update brings along performance improvements, bug fixes, and the August 2025 security patch. But what stands out most is the inclusion of Material 3 Expressive — a visual update that Google teased just last week. Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1 is now rolling out for beta testers. | Image credit — PhoneArena Included in this update are some of the first user-facing tweaks under the Material 3 Expressive design system. This is part of Google's broader effort to modernize Android's interface with bolder visuals and better consistency across the OS. With QPR1 Beta 1, users will see UI updates across key areas like notifications, quick settings, the lock screen, and the Pixel Launcher. These refinements build on the current Material You aesthetic, with more expressive color options and cleaner layouts. First bit of Material 3 Expressive showing up on my newly updated Pixel 9a. | Image credit — PhoneArena Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1 is available to a wide range of Pixel devices, including: If your device is already enrolled in the Android 16 Beta Program and haven't opted out, your Pixel device should receive the update automatically over-the-air. New users can enroll through Google's official Beta Program is advising users who want to exit the beta and wait for the stable Android 16 release to do so before installing QPR1 Beta 1. If you opt out after installing the update, your device will be wiped. To avoid that, skip this beta and wait for the stable version to land later this year. It's exciting to finally see the first pieces of Material 3 Expressive show up in a real, installable build. While this update may still be in beta, the changes to the notification shade, lock screen, and launcher should offer a clear glimpse into Google's evolving design direction. For many Pixel users, this is likely the part they've been waiting for the most — a refreshed, more expressive look that makes Android feel new again. And with more updates expected in future QPR builds, this is just the beginning.
Phone Arena
20-05-2025
- Phone Arena
If your Pixel's battery drains too fast and overheats, you might want to delete this one app
The latest Pixel security update for May is being blamed for an issue with the battery on some Pixel handsets. Multiple Pixel users who installed the May update found that the battery on their Pixels has started draining faster than normal. The May 2025 Pixel update contains security patches developed to fix software flaws; still, it does not include any major new features making it surprising that it might have caused the problems Pixel users are having with the battery on their phones. Not only are affected Pixel users noticing that the battery life they are getting on their phones has been shortened since installing the May Pixel security update, these handsets are also overheating. Not everyone believes that the culprit affecting Pixel batteries and causing users to play hot potato. Several Pixel users pointed out on Reddit that after an update to Instagram, their phones got very hot after just a few minutes of use. Additionally, Pixel users running the Instagram app have spotted the rapid battery drain not only while using the app, but also when the app is in the background. Don't blame this on older Pixel models munching their way through aging batteries and generating additional heat. After all, one of the Pixel models experiencing the battery drain and the overheating is the Pixel 9 Pro , which was released just last September 4th. If you are having this problem with your Pixel, you might want to try the easiest solution and see if it works. That would be to open your Pixel and delete the Instagram app. See if this takes the temperature of the phone down a few degrees and increases the battery life of your Pixel device. You can always reinstall the app once an update is released by Meta. The models that are impacted by this bug include: The May update for compatible Pixel models was released earlier this month. I haven't noticed the battery draining any faster than usual on my Pixel 6 Pro (note the italics), and there haven't been any times when the phone was too hot to the touch, even when using Instagram.
Forbes
09-05-2025
- Forbes
Google's Unbeatable Pixel Update Leaves Other Phones Behind
Pixel can't be caught — here's why. Update: Republished on May 9 with an update twist for Pixel owners and new information on the timing of Samsung's One UI 8 / Android 16 beta. Google has warned that Android phones are again under attack, with another serious vulnerability leaving devices exposed to hackers. Within 24 hours, it confirmed that all compatible Pixels 'will receive these software updates starting today, and the rollout will continue over the next week in phases.' Good for Pixel — bad for everyone else. This vulnerability is a memory issue first disclosed by Meta in March. As such, it's surprising to see this turn up to generate Android headlines two months later. But that also means there should be no delay in other OEMs applying the fix. Samsung has just issued details of its own monthly update and the fix is included. The twist is that this fix applies just to Android 13 and 14 — Android 12 and below are no longer supported, suggesting Android 15 is already patched. Pixels have already moved to the new OS and so this warning does not apply. Samsung is mid its One UI 7 rollout, with many millions of phones yet to upgrade. As such, it does apply. Putting that aside, the challenge for Samsung is that it will run the latest monthly update across its global ecosystem through the rest of the month. And while its newest Galaxy flagships will be updated first, they're also the most likely to be on Android 15. Older phones still on Android 14 will wait the longest for this critical Android 14 fix. Between the efficiency of monthly updates — including the use of seamless updates which again almost all Samsungs do without — and the expediency of the OS upgrade, it's again advantage Pixel, with other OEMs playing an unwinnable game of catch-up. There is a twist for Pixel owners this month though, with Google confirming there's no turning back. 'Warning,' it told developers, 'the May 2025 update for Pixel 6 (6, 6 Pro, 6a) and Pixel 8 (8, 8 Pro, 8a) devices contains a bootloader update that increments the anti-roll back version for the bootloader. This prevents the device from rolling back to previous vulnerable versions of the bootloader. After flashing the May 2025 update on these devices you won't be able to flash and boot older Android 15 builds." 'This is crucial for anyone who manually flashes factory images,' Chrome Unboxed says. 'Once you install this May update on those specific devices, you will not be able to flash or boot older Android 15 builds. This is a security measure to prevent downgrading to potentially vulnerable software versions.' Google warns that 'while it may be possible to restore certain data backed up to your Google Account, apps and their associated data will be uninstalled. Before proceeding, ensure that data you would like to retain is backed up to your Google Account.' That aside, all eyes are now Samsung's One UI 8 rollout, complete with the teased fix for the leaky Secure Folder issue, and whether this next OS upgrade addresses the awkward optics of One UI 7 which teetered from one problem to the next. We're told this will be faster and closer behind Pixel, it really needs to, especially for $2000 flagships. And on that front, 'Samsung's One UI 8 beta based on Android 16 [may] arrive sooner than you'd think.' Per GSMArena, 'the company is now said to be almost ready to release the first beta… According to a new report, this will go out in the third week of this month, earlier than the mid-June date rumored mere hours ago.' The remaining issue, though, is the oddity of Google supplying and competing with other OEMs. With its control of Pixel's hardware through Android software, it has the full stack in the same way Apple does with iPhone. And while the Google-Samsung relationship is undoubtedly close and getting closer, Pixel is also undoubtedly more of a competitive threat than it has ever been before, especially in the premium category. In China, there's talk of OEMs moving away from Android, as Huawei has already done given sanctions restricting access to U.S. technology. Whisper it quietly, but the best thing for Samsung might be to do the same, to create a genuine iPhone competitor, with access to Google's apps and services as needed — just as iPhones do now.
Forbes
07-05-2025
- Forbes
Google's Unbeatable Pixel Update Leaves Other Androids Behind
Pixel can't be caught — here's why. Getty Images Google has warned that Android phones are again under attack , with another serious vulnerability leaving devices exposed to hackers. Within 24 hours, it confirmed that all compatible Pixels 'will receive these software updates starting today, and the rollout will continue over the next week in phases.' Good for Pixel — bad for everyone else. This vulnerability is a memory issue first disclosed by Meta in March. As such, it's surprising to see this turn up to generate Android headlines two months later. But that also means there should be no delay in other OEMs applying the fix. Samsung has just issued details of its own monthly update and the fix is included. Forbes Delete Any Texts On Your Phone That Include These Messages By Zak Doffman The twist is that this fix applies just to Android 13 and 14 — Android 12 and below are no longer supported, suggesting Android 15 is already patched. Pixels have already moved to the new OS and so this warning does not apply. Samsung is mid its One UI 7 rollout, with many millions of phones yet to upgrade. As such, it does apply. Putting that aside, the challenge for Samsung is that it will run the latest monthly update across its global ecosystem through the rest of the month. And while its newest Galaxy flagships will be updated first, they're also the most likely to be on Android 15. Older phones still on Android 14 will wait the longest for this critical Android 14 fix. Between the efficiency of monthly updates — including the use of seamless updates which again almost all Samsungs do without — and the expediency of the OS upgrade, it's again advantage Pixel, with other OEMs playing an unwinnable game of catch-up. All eyes on Samsung's One UI 8 rollout, complete with the teased fix for the leaky Secure Folder issue, and whether this next OS upgrade can address the awkward optics of One UI 7 which seemed to teeter from one problem to the next. We're told this will be faster and closer behind Pixel, it really needs to, especially for $2000 flagships. Forbes Has Your Phone Been Hacked—This New Update Lets You Know By Zak Doffman The bigger issue though is the oddity of Google supplying and competing with Android's other OEMs. With its control of Pixel's hardware through Android software, it has the full stack in the same way Apple does with iPhone. And while the Google-Samsung relationship is undoubtedly close and getting closer, Pixel is also undoubtedly more of a competitive threat than it has ever been before, especially in the premium category. In China, there's talk of OEMs moving away from Android, as Huawei has already done given sanctions restricting access to U.S. technology. Whisper it quietly, but the best thing for Samsung might be to do the same, to create a genuine iPhone competitor, with access to Google's apps and services as needed — just as iPhones do now.
