Nexus March Android Nougat Update: What You Need to Know

Just in time, Google launched the Nexus March Android 7.1.1 Nougat update for multiple devices. At the same time, Verizon is sending a similar message. Update to all Pixel and Pixel XL owners. This is the usual security update and latest patches and here’s what owners should know and expect.

Last year, Google made a big change in its Android updates. In addition to developer beta testing for faster updates, there is a promise of monthly update cycles. Every month we get the latest software with updated security measures, patches and more. Many manufacturers like Samsung are doing the same, and today is Google’s March release of Android 7.1.1 Nougat.

While we await more details on Android 7.1.2 Nougat, that’s not what users will get this week. Instead, those with certain Nexus devices or Pixel phones will get a new version of Android 7.1.1 Nougat. It usually comes on the first Monday of the month and is just in time for March. Read on for more details.

Starting Monday, March 6, those with multiple different devices should be looking for a software update. Directly from Google or Verizon if you have a Pixel or Pixel XL. It should be relatively small, fast and painless.

As we see it, this will be available for the Pixel, Pixel XL, Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X, Pixel C, Nexus 6 and Nexus 9 tablet. There are no March updates for the Nexus player, at least not yet.

Typically these updates contain between 15-30 changes, mostly in the form of security, but sometimes other bugs or glitches are also fixed and addressed. As with the obsolete Nexus 5, we’ve seen new features come into them. This month, however, that doesn’t seem to be the case.

March Android 7.1.1 Nougat Update Changes

Android 7.1.1 Nougat update in March for all Nexus and Pixel devices is a big one. It’s full of changes from March 1st and security patches from March 5th. This is a similar approach to previous months, but there are more changes that we usually see.

Overall, we detected around 60 patches in the March Nougat update. At least according to Google security log. Many were critical, 11 actually, and the rest were lower on the urgency scale. Still, it’s good to see Google take such a fast and responsive approach to top-down security.

Again, this is nothing more than a monthly security update with the latest patches and security protocols. We don’t see any new features, additions or bug fixes. Android 7.1.2 Nougat is coming soon and this will have bug fixes like Bluetooth issues and other stuff.

Still, anyone with a capable device is recommended to accept and install this latest version of Android.

When will he come?

Google has released all the details along with various ways for owners to get the latest version. Over-the-air update notifications should start coming in today and should usually end within 48 hours for these monthly patches. Owners can also download and flash factory images or manually force the OTA update with ADB. Here March files.

To get started, go to Settings > About Phone > manually check for updates or wait for the over-the-air notification to pop up if you want. Some can also get it triggered by rebooting.

Most should have the 9th or 10th March release. Again, check the list at the top of the page to see if you have a supported device. Verizon is shipping it to Pixel and Pixel XL devices. Mine was delivered this morning. As a reminder, this is still Android 7.1.1 Nougat.

Android 7.1.2 Nougat Update

So what’s the next real big update going to be? It’s still coming and a work in progress. If you’re in 7.1.2 beta, you won’t get the March update, instead a new 7.1.2 developer preview will arrive soon.

Here’s how to install Android 7.1.2 Nougat right now. It’s still in beta, but has additional features and major fixes in addition to the latest security patches, with the exception of some of these for March. We expect at least one more developer preview before Android 7.1.2 Nougat is released globally for all devices.