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Getting back on track after the holidays
Google may not have published its security patch at its usual date — the first Monday of the month — due to that day being New Year’s Day observed, but the company is right back on track just a short time after. As such, the company has released the January 2023 security patch, which is starting to roll out to the latest Pixel phones as we speak, including the Google Pixel 7 Pro[1] and its smaller sibling.
Considering we're just one month away from the December Pixel Feature Drop[2], today's update is relatively minor. Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 series devices finally gain support for spatial audio, while a number of fixes for biometrics, Bluetooth, and more are included. Here's the full list of patch notes shared by Google[3] for today's software release:
Audio
- Add support for Spatial Audio with certain devices and accessories *[1]
Biometrics
- Additional improvements for fingerprint recognition and response in certain conditions *[2]
Bluetooth
- Fix for issue occasionally preventing certain Bluetooth Low Energy devices or accessories from pairing or reconnecting
- Fix for issue preventing audio from playing over certain headphones or accessories while connected in certain conditions
Camera
- Fix for issue occasionally causing captured photos to appear corrupted or distorted while zoomed in *[3]
Display & Graphics
- Fix for issue occasionally preventing display from waking or appearing turned off while device is powered on *[3]
User Interface
- Fix for issue occasionally causing UI to display in landscape layout while device is held in portrait mode
*[1] Included on Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro
*[2] Included on Pixel 6a, Pixel 7
*[3] Included on Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro
You can get the January 2023 security patch on any Pixel phone newer than the Pixel 4, which got its last guaranteed update in October 2022[4]. The same fate is going to reach the Pixel 4a soon, which is only guaranteed to receive updates until August 2023. The Pixel 4a is still going strong for the first half of the year, though we're not certain if it will receive Android 14.
To install the update, simply open your system settings, scroll down to the System entry and tap it, and look for the System update option. If you prefer to take the fast route and flash the update, you can get both the factory images[5] and the OTA files[6] over at Google’s website. Pixel 7 and 7 Pro users on Telstra have a separate download link, so make sure to grab the correct file.
If you feel more adventurous than that, you can also join the Android 13 QPR2 Beta program[7]. This will give you access to the upcoming March Feature Drop, though there aren’t too many new features to be spotted just yet.
UPDATE: 2023/01/03 16:24 EST BY WILL SATTELBERG
Added patch notes
This article has been updated with Google's patch notes for the January 2023 security update.
References
- ^ Google Pixel 7 Pro (www.androidpolice.com)
- ^ December Pixel Feature Drop (www.androidpolice.com)
- ^ patch notes shared by Google (support.google.com)
- ^ last guaranteed update in October 2022 (www.androidpolice.com)
- ^ factory images (developers.google.com)
- ^ OTA files (developers.google.com)
- ^ join the Android 13 QPR2 Beta program (www.androidpolice.com)