Google fixes a bunch of Pixel issues with November update, leaves Pixel 3 and 3 XL behind
Today is the first Monday of the month, and you know what that means, right? A Google Android monthly update. These are usually only about security fixes, but not this time around, as there are a bunch of Pixel-specific non-security issues resolved too.
Speaking of Pixels, the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL have reached the end of the line when it comes to software updates, three years after their launch. The new November 2021 update is only headed to the Pixel 3a (launched in May 2019) and later devices.
As to what's fixed, unfortunately the widely reported screen flickering issue on the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro isn't, but Google has outed a statement saying those fixes will arrive with the December update. That's yet another month of waiting for new Pixel 6 / 6 Pro owners, sadly.
Here's what was actually fixed - an issue that prevented notification sounds in certain scenarios, there are improvements in audio quality in certain scenarios and wireless charging in certain orientations, stability improvements for certain third party apps, better auto-brightness response in certain lighting conditions, improved transition animation performance in the Overview screen in certain conditions, improved Picture-in-Picture media playback with certain apps, and improved connection stability.
Additionally, fixes for incorrect showing of an app's icon after installation, and the way the keyboard displayed over apps in certain conditions, as well as UI elements being hidden have all been packed in too.
Not all of these apply to all of the currently supported Pixels, if you want to know exactly what goes where then head on over to the first Source linked below which has a handy table. That's also where you can see which build number your Pixel is getting with this update.
Normally we list those here, but there are very many different ones this time around for some reason. If you're interested in the specific security fixes applied, then go to the second Source linked below which has all of the nitty gritty details.
As with all Google updates, expect the rollout of this one to at least take days, if not weeks, until it reaches all of the eligible phones out there.