Another round of fingerprint sensor improvements for the Pixel 6, when it finally gets the update
Today is a trifecta: A Feature Drop update, security patch update, and Android 12L release day. As Pixels (excluding the Pixel 6, for now) wait to download the update, the full list of issues fixed by the update has been published, and it's huge. If you haven't gotten the update the old-fashioned way, you can also manually install it.
Of course, fixes will vary from device to device, just as bugs do, but this is among the chunkier updates Google has released. Many of the bugfixes cover very precise issues. Highlights include another round of improvements for the Pixel 6's substandard fingerprint sensor, kernel version upgrades for all Pixels, and improved audio playback, including with Bluetooth devices.
*[1] Included on Pixel 3a, Pixel 3a XL, Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a (5G), Pixel 5, Pixel 5a (5G), Pixel 6 & Pixel 6 Pro
*[2] Included on Pixel 6 & Pixel 6 Pro
*[3] Included on Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL, Pixel 5, Pixel 6 & Pixel 6 Pro
*[4] Included on Pixel 4 & Pixel 4 XL
*[5] Included on Pixel 3a, Pixel 3a XL, Pixel 4 & Pixel 4 XL
*[6] Included on Pixel 4a (5G), Pixel 5, Pixel 5a (5G), Pixel 6 & Pixel 6 Pro
*[7] Included on Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL, Pixel 4a (5G), Pixel 5 & Pixel 5a (5G)
*[8] Included on Pixel 4a (5G), Pixel 5 & Pixel 5a (5G)
*[9] Included on Pixel 3a, Pixel 3a XL, Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL, Pixel 4a
Although many of these bug fixes address issues for the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, Google has held the update for those phones for a little longer and they're expected to roll out later this month. It's not clear if the incredibly inconvenient bug that causes the Pixel 6 to disconnect randomly from Wi-Fi is fixed. Lots of critical-severity bugs were also fixed in this release, so it's important that you install it for your own security.
The update also includes recent Feature Drop changes, which also vary slightly from device to device. These additions include an expansion of Live Translate to Spanish, the ability to do voice calls via text with Live Caption, and some new and tweaked Widgets.
The update is also seemingly based on Android 12L. Though that brings some big-screen changes to Android, most of the benefits on Pixels are unfortunately lost — at least it's good for bragging rights.
If you're impatient to install the update, you can pull down the OTA for manual installation, though it should be rolling out via the more traditional means very shortly.
Ostensibly a senior editor, in reality just some verbose dude who digs on tech, loves Android, and hates anticompetitive practices. His only regret is that he didn't buy a Nokia N9 in 2012. Email tips or corrections to ryne at androidpolice dot com.