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One of the reasons anyone owns a Google Pixel phone is because it receives what is arguably the best level of software support in Android. Samsung has certainly made its case as being the king of updates, but Google is still the quickest most months when it comes to new Android security patches and big Android version updates. If you own a Pixel phone, you tend to be first in line to test out whatever is new in Android.
Unpacking everything I just said there, owning a Pixel phone straight-up means you get updates quickly and the new version of Android first. There can be a touch of variation to the timing each month, but for the most part you are first. On top of that, you also get Pixel Feature Drop updates that often include new features that are exclusive to Pixel phones before eventually rolling out to other devices.
There is a certain cadence to all of this, so let’s break it down further.
Alright, since updates are a big part of Google Pixel phone ownership, how long will you get them? That depends on the phone, but as of the launch of the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro Xl, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold, things have changed some. Depending on your device, you could see up to 7 years of Android OS and security patches.
Starting with the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, Google has committed to a full 7 years of updates. Those updates include Android OS upgrades, security patches, and Pixel Feature Drops. Obviously, the entire Pixel 9 series will match the Pixel 8 level of support. The new Pixel 9a will as well.
For the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro up through the Pixel Fold, Google changed its level of support by offering 3 years of Android version updates along with 5 years of security updates. Before that, from the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL up through the Pixel 5a (5G), Google was offering 3 years of Android version updates as well as 3 years of security updates.
The Pixel 4 line, Pixel 4a, Pixel 5, and Pixel 5a are actually done receiving updates, as are the Pixel 3a, Pixel 3, Pixel 2, and original Pixel lines. Google is still (at the moment) providing updates to the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel Fold, and Pixel Tablet, Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8a, and the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, and Pixel 9a.
Below, you’ll find the month and year that Google plans to stop providing updates to each Pixel phone, foldable, and tablet.
Now that you know how long your Pixel phone will see updates, you might wonder when exactly those updates will show up each month. What I can tell you is that Google used to stick to a strict schedule on this, but has since given itself some wiggle room. However, for most months, we expect the following:
When monthly or bigger version updates arrive, they’ll show up over-the-air as an update you can initiate yourself by heading into Settings>System>System update. We’re pretty good about telling you once those updates are live and ready to be installed.
Pixel Feature Drops are a combination of big quarterly updates from Google that are accompanied by new software features for Pixel phones to enjoy. The big Quarterly Platform Release (QPR) update typically fixes dozens and dozens of bugs, while Google also introduces new features through apps like Google Messages, Photos, Maps, Search, and the camera that Pixel phones get before anyone else.
The schedule for Pixel Feature Drops is quarterly and happens 3 times per year. We tend to get a stable version of Android in August or September followed by the first QPR update in December, another in March of the next year, and then June. The cycle then starts over again with the next version of Android.
For Android 12, that meant a Feature Drop in December 2021, 2nd drop in March 2022, and a final drop in June 2022. For Android 13, we have seen a first QPR drop in December 2022 and a second drop in March 2023. The June 2023 drop should arrive at any moment.
There you have it – you should now know exactly when you’ll get updates on your Google Pixel phone.
UPDATED MARCH 20, 2025 – Google announced the Pixel 9a, with launch happening in April. We’ve added the Pixel 9a to this post.