Pixel September Android Pie Update: What You Need to Know

Google has released the latest monthly September Android update for Nexus and Pixel phones. But this time there’s Android 9 Pie for Pixel and Android 8.1 Oreo for Nexus phones. And these monthly updates all about security, we also see the occasional bug fix. This month Google added some quick fixes for Android Pie and a few other things.

With the Pixel and Pixel 2 September Android Pie update rolling out as we speak, owners will want to know what to expect. In addition to the latest security, you will again get a big improvement for Bluetooth.

Many Pixel & Nexus owners will get an updated version of Android this week. And remember, older devices like Nexus 5 and Nexus Player are no longer supported. Instead, the Nexus 5X and 6P get Android 8.1, while newer devices get a stable version of Android 9 Pie. This is an important update that may affect your device and its performance.

As usual, we’re seeing new security enhancements and multiple critical security patches in September. Then Google made some minor changes to WiFi, Bluetooth and charging on most devices, but that’s it. As Pie’s first update, we recommend everyone install it now.

Supported devices

Pixel September Android Pie Update Details

Google approved the update on Tuesday, September 4 and immediately released the files for developers to manually install the latest software. However, over-the-air updates won’t start for another few days.

Google has renewed Android security bulletinalso Pixel/Nexus security page with all the details and what to expect. Next, we’ll highlight the important bits below. You can take factory images and manually install if you want too.

So far we’re seeing a small list of changes and nothing major. Again, this is mostly about safety and being better prepared for the future. Typically, there are at least 30+ changes, but this month is very light. As a bonus, this means that Google does a good job of keeping our smartphones safe.

We recommend that you skip installing the update manually before proceeding with any changes. It’s not worth the risk to be such a small software version. Instead, wait for Google to send the over-the-air update files to your phone or tablet.

September Android Pie Update Fixes and Patches

Recently, Google has been taking monthly updates very seriously. For most of 2018, Google has added a number of bug fixes to these security updates. Function updates, not just software changes. While we found a lot of minor patches, it’s the minor bug fixes that matter.

Overall, these updates are pretty minor. Being the first month of Android 9 Pie, we were expecting a little more, including a fix for the OG Pixel charging issue. That said, we’re seeing improvements for battery life and sound quality when in cars. Bluetooth remains an issue on Android for a lot of people so hopefully this fixes this issue for some people.

Download Nexus and Pixel September Updates

If you want to get this latest version of Android for your Nexus or Pixel device right away, you can download or flash it from the links below instead of waiting. Or read more about each of these changes.

1. download Factory Images
2. To capture OTA Update Files
3. To read Nexus/Pixel Security Bulletin
4. To read Android June Security Bulletin

When will the update come?

We expect the update within the next 24-48 hours, if not sooner. Google is always quick to deliver updates, or you can download and install them manually as we talked through the links above.

Some users may choose to manually download the files and update to their September Oreo or Pie version. However, we recommend waiting for Google’s OTA update notification instead. It’s easier this way. I went and bought it right away. This will pull the update from Google servers to your phone. The whole process took less than 10 minutes. From downloading my Pixel XL on Android Pie to installing it and rebooting.

More Details and What Next for Nexus/Pixel Owners?

In closing, expect an update on your Nexus or Pixel device in the coming days if you haven’t received it yet. Remember, this only applies to Google’s Nexus and Pixel devices. If you have a phone from Samsung, LG or Motorola, this does not apply to you.