Pixel & Nexus January Android 8.1 Update: What You Need to Know

Kicking off 2018, Google has released a new January Android Oreo update for Pixel, Pixel 2, and Nexus devices. This is Google’s latest security patches, bug fixes and new features. Then, it was released in late January another Android 8.1 Oreo update. Here’s what you need to know and which devices get the updates first.

For those with a qualifying phone, the January Android 8.1 Oreo update is available. Google keeps its promise release security patches monthly. Additionally, they have released an extra build for multiple different versions of their phones.

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This January Android 8.1 update is available for Google Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus Player and Pixel C Tablet. This is an important update that may affect your device and its performance. It went live on January 3rd, and here’s everything you need to know.

Google updates all its devices every month. These updates offer the latest security patches, bug fixes, and new features from time to time. The January release adds important security patches, fixes drivers for Bluetooth, WiFi, touchscreen sensitivity, and a few other things.

Nexus and Pixel January Android Oreo Update Details

As of Wednesday, January 3, multiple devices have received this update. Google made it announcement at 2, but it sent the updates a few days later. This is a free software update for all eligible devices and is available directly from Google or Pixel on Verizon. This is a small, fast and painless update that should only take a few minutes to complete.

Then, on January 23, Google released more Android 8.1 Oreo update files. These are OTA files and factory images for Verizon Pixel 2 along with SoftBank and Telstra Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P devices. Basically, it’s a quick carrier-exclusive bug fix update that’s too important to wait until February.

Typically these updates contain 20-30 changes, mostly in the form of security patches, but sometimes other bugs or glitches are also fixed. Sometimes Google adds new features like the obsolete Nexus 5. The January release made a change to improve the stability and performance of devices after installing an OTA update.

This means you probably won’t see anything new or notice any major changes, but it’s still an important update that we recommend everyone download and install. Especially since this is the first security patch after the December Android 8.1 Oreo update.

January Oreo Update Fixes and Patches

Back in November, Google released a set of fixes for Bluetooth for all Android. So the update wasn’t just for Nexus and Pixel users. However, we don’t see anything similar in the January release. It is mainly for patching bugs or vulnerabilities and keeping up with the latest security standards. We don’t see any device-specific changes.

However, there are full patch notes for this version Android and a separate changelist for Nexus and Pixel devices. We see a total of 20 entries for Android, and only four of them are listed as Critical or High. Then roughly 50+ for Nexus and Pixel devices with nothing listed as critical. Basically, this is a minor security update and nothing more.

If you’re having trouble with Google Music or Assistant, the January 23 update fixed some bugs in this area. In closing, we noticed an entry for Bluetooth, WiFi, Touchscreen drivers, kernel and general device stability. So expect some Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL bug fixes in the January update.

When will he come?

For most users, this is an important update. Not only for patching important security vulnerabilities, but also for potential bug fixes. It started airing on January 3rd and many are already enjoying it. Then, for those with other carrier models, expect the update to launch on January 23. This is over-the-air software update or factory images.

Some users manually installed the update with factory images, but some devices are experiencing slowdowns. Just reboot your phone and everything will be fine afterwards.

However, usually these monthly updates arrive on devices within a few hours of the announcement. With Google’s blog post on the 2nd, users will start receiving updates on January 3rd and throughout the week.

Those who own a Verizon Pixel or Pixel 2 should also see the update this week. To start .

Other details

All said and done, expect an update on your Nexus or Pixel device in the next few days if you don’t have one yet. You won’t notice anything new, but the phone will be more secure and better prepared for the future. Again, this update is only available on Nexus and Pixel phones and tablets. This means that those who own Samsung, HTC, Motorola or other devices should wait for updates from the manufacturer in question. Most users are still waiting for Android 8.0 from their respective manufacturers like Samsung. This will likely come in the next few weeks.

If you install this update manually, make sure you download the correct factory images from Google’s site. Some phones are available in two versions. No matter what version of Android Oreo you’re using, we’ve got a few tips if you’re having trouble. Those experiencing problems should check out this post for more help. Stay tuned for more details and leave a comment below for any questions or concerns you have about the January Nexus and Pixel Android Oreo update.