Newsletter
The Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro will have a software update out of the box. The company has announced that a day-one update will roll out to both devices as customers unbox them. It didn’t reveal the contents of the new software package but said the update will add “all the features” to the devices. Perhaps many advertised features are missing from the factory build Pixel 6 and 6 Pro. Google is ensuring that customers will have access to them all from day one so they get the best experience from their new phones.
This update could also optimize some existing features for improved performance. We have seen other manufacturers roll out such day-one software updates to new devices in the past, so it’s not a surprise.
Google says your Pixel 6 or 6 Pro will automatically download the new software in the background after you have completed the phone setup. Once the download completes, it will prompt you to reboot the phone. It could take up to more than 30 minutes for the installation process to complete.
This out-of-the-box software update for the Pixel 6 series could take until October 28th to roll out to all eligible devices. So if you’ve already received your Pixel 6 pre-order, or it arrives ahead of October 28, you might not be getting the new update straightaway. You can manually check for the update from your phone though. Simply navigate to Settings >> System >> System update >> Check for update to see if you have an OTA (over the air) update pending download. The new software comes with the following build number:
-
SD1A.210817.036
-
SD1A.210817.036.A8 (Verizon customers)
You can also check whether your device already has the latest software installed by verifying this build number under Settings >> About phone >> Build number.
This is the first of many software updates for the Pixel 6 series
Google announced the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro last week amid much fanfare. The company immediately put the new phones up for pre-orders and units are now shipping to customers as well. Many of the pre-order Pixel 6 devices will likely reach customers in the coming days. And the phones will have a software update ready for download out of the box. This will be the first of many software updates for the Pixel 6 series.
Google has confirmed that both Pixel 6 and 6 Pro will receive five years of software support. This includes at least three major Android OS upgrades and two additional years of security updates. So you can rest assured that there are many more software updates to come your Pixel 6’s way.