Google has announced a new feature for its Pixel phones that will make them receive software updates faster and more reliably. The feature, called Pixel Update Service, is part of the Android 14 update that is rolling out to supported Pixel devices this month.
Pixel Update Service is a new system service that runs in the background and downloads software updates for Pixel phones over the internet. The service uses a peer-to-peer (P2P) network to distribute updates among Pixel devices, reducing the load on Google’s servers and improving the speed and efficiency of the update process.
The service also allows Pixel phones to receive updates even when they are offline, by using nearby Pixel devices as sources. This means that Pixel users can get the latest security patches and bug fixes without relying on a Wi-Fi or cellular connection.
According to Google, Pixel Update Service will not affect the battery life or performance of Pixel phones, as it only works when the device is idle and plugged in. The service will also respect the user’s data preferences and will not use cellular data unless the user allows it.
Why is Pixel Update Service important?
Pixel Update Service is an important feature for Pixel users, as it addresses one of the main complaints about Google’s flagship phones: slow and inconsistent software updates. Pixel phones are supposed to get the latest Android updates before other devices, but in reality, many Pixel users have experienced delays and errors when trying to update their phones.
For example, the Android 14 update, which was released on October 4, 2023, was not available for some Pixel models until a week later. Some Pixel users also reported that their phones got stuck in a boot loop or became unresponsive after installing the update. Google had to release a patch to fix these issues, but it took another week to reach all affected devices.
Pixel Update Service aims to solve these problems by making the update process faster, smoother, and more reliable. Pixel users will no longer have to wait for Google to push the updates to their phones, as they can download them from other Pixel devices in their vicinity. Pixel users will also be able to update their phones without an internet connection, which is especially useful for people who live in areas with poor network coverage or travel frequently.
Which Pixel phones support Pixel Update Service?
Pixel Update Service is part of the Android 14 update, which is available for the following Pixel models:
- Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro
- Pixel 7a, Pixel 7, and Pixel 7 Pro
- Pixel 6a, Pixel 6, and Pixel 6 Pro
- Pixel 5a and Pixel 5
- Pixel 4a 5G
Pixel phones that are older than the Pixel 4a 5G, such as the Pixel 4a, Pixel 4, Pixel 3a, and Pixel 3, will not get the Android 14 update and therefore will not support Pixel Update Service.
How to enable Pixel Update Service on your Pixel phone?
To enable Pixel Update Service on your Pixel phone, you need to first update your phone to Android 14. You can check for the update by going to Settings > System > Advanced > System update. If the update is available, you can download and install it on your phone.
Once you have Android 14 on your phone, you can enable Pixel Update Service by going to Settings > System > Advanced > Pixel Update Service. You can then toggle on the switch to allow your phone to download updates from other Pixel devices. You can also choose whether you want to use cellular data for the service or not.
Pixel Update Service is a welcome addition to the Pixel experience, as it will make Pixel phones more secure and up-to-date. Pixel users can now enjoy the benefits of the latest Android features and improvements without worrying about slow or faulty updates.