The first upgrade to Android 13 since its August launch includes a security patch for the Pixel and several updates for Android devices.
The Pixel 4 series, including the 4, 4 XL, 4a, and 4a 5G models, the Pixel 5 series, including the 5, 5a, and 5G models, and the Pixel 6 series, including the 6 and 6 Pro models, will all be impacted by the September patch. The roll out will "continue over the following week in phases depending on provider and device," according to Google(opens in new tab). Later in the month, the update will also be made available for Pixel 6a devices. When the patch is ready, device owners will receive a notification telling them to download it.
updated pixels
In order to address issues with the battery and the biometrics on these Pixel phones, Google has made four specific improvements. After updating to Android 13, there have been reports of batteries rapidly draining(opens in new tab). "Some launcher background activities" are to blame, however the patch notes don't specify what these background activities are.
Additionally, a flaw that blocked wireless charging is fixed with the update. In August, users on the Google Pixel subreddit discovered that their phone's wireless charging functionality had abruptly ceased functioning. A few people discovered a workaround that involved pairing the Pixel Stand with the phone and performing a hard reset, but it wasn't a reliable solution.
Google enhanced "fingerprint detection and responsiveness in certain scenarios" for biometrics. A problem that allowed the phone to be unlocked using a fingerprint that had not been registered with the scanner was found by some Pixel owners(opens in new tab). And occasionally, the scanner would recognise a completely different person's fingerprint. This was obviously a serious security hole.
Regarding the other two updates, Google is modifying the user interface and fixing a Bluetooth connectivity issue that stopped some devices from connecting to Pixel phones. Evidently, on the lock screen, alerts would display far more quickly than they should.
Google fixes
There are 51 more fixes that will be released for all Android devices in addition to the four Pixel-specific updates that address security flaws. Periodically over the rest of the month, this update will be made available.
According to the Android Open Source Project website's September Security Bulletin(opens in new tab), the changes, which are divided between two packages, address problems with severity levels ranging from moderate to critical. The first package, often known as the September 1st security patch, will contain one of the more significant updates. The notes claim that an issue with the Android framework could make it possible for a malicious party to acquire elevated access to a device's resources without requesting administrator authorization.
With regard to the second package, also known as the September 5th security patch, it resolves some issues with a few third-party parts, such as those made by MediaTek and Qualcomm. What exactly is in the September 5th package is not described in great length in the patch notes. Instead, it directs readers who want more information to visit the corresponding security bulletin webpages for these third-party components.
According to MediaTek's September bulletin(opens in new tab), the company's patch appears to be concentrated on correcting incorrect validations that can grant malicious actors a similar elevated access to Android devices. The same vulnerabilities are addressed by Qualcomm's update, which also addresses some memory corruption issues. (Opens in new tab).
As a result, Pixel owners may anticipate 55 security updates for their smartphone. Google gives a list of instructions on how to upgrade your phone if you're interested in receiving the various updates (opens in new tab).
Furthermore, Google just announced that the next Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro smartphones will be unveiled on October 6 at the Made By Google event. For additional information, be sure to read TechRadar's coverage of the Pixel 7.
