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Regular software support determines how long your phone will be secure. Even the best Google Pixel phones are vulnerable to malicious actors after the expiry of security support. While there are many reasons to buy a Pixel phone, one of the best features is that they receive OS and security updates before any other Android phone. Here are all the Pixel phones and their update expiration dates so you know when they will stop getting updates.
What types of Android updates are there?
Android updates come in two flavors: OS updates and security updates. Both are important, and each does different things.
OS updates are updates to new versions of Android, denoted by a number. OS Updates come out about once a year, usually in the late summer or early fall. They typically include numerous new or improved user-facing features and under-the-hood improvements. Android 14 is the latest version of Android and offers more features than Android 13. While these updates are interesting, they are not required to use your phone (although highly recommended).
Pixel Feature Drops supplement yearly Android releases and don’t follow the same guidelines as OS updates. Some features in a Feature Drop may not be available to Pixel phones that still receive updates.
Security updates are less exciting but more important. These address security vulnerabilities on your phone, whether connecting to Wi-Fi, browsing the web, or downloading files. These updates improve existing security protocols and fix new vulnerabilities discovered since the last update. Security updates do not include new features and do not usually make a noticeable difference in the day-to-day use of your phone. A new security update is available for Pixel phones each month. You can find an archive of every security update on the Android Security Bulletin website.
Let’s look at how long your Pixel phone will receive updates now that we’ve discussed the types of Android updates.
Here’s how long your Google Pixel will get OS updates
Google Pixel phones receive OS and security updates until a predetermined year and month. It doesn’t mean they can’t get updates after the deadline, but we haven’t seen a Pixel phone receive a major OS update after the expiry date of the update.
Google Pixel 8 and Google Pixel 8 Pro
The Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro combine bold hardware and software updates to create adventurous phones that take full advantage of Google’s latest Tensor chip. Both phones have guaranteed Android OS and security updates until October 2030, the longest of any Pixel phone.
Google Pixel 8a
The Google Pixel 8a launched with Android 14 out of the box. It will get seven years of Android OS upgrades and security updates, meaning the phone’s last update will be in 2031. That is an impressive number for a mid-range device.
Google Pixel Fold
The Google Pixel Fold was released in June 2023 and was the company’s first foldable, offering a compelling alternative to Samsung’s established lineup. It will receive OS updates until at least June 2026 and security updates until June 2028.
Google Pixel 7a
The Google Pixel 7a launched on May 10, 2023, and was Google’s most advanced “budget” device, nearly matching the Pixel 7’s specs. It came with the tradeoff of a substantial price hike. The Pixel 7a will receive Android OS updates until at least May 2026 and security updates until at least May 2028.
Google Pixel 7 and Google Pixel 7 Pro
The Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro built on the success of the Pixel 6 series and added a new Tensor chip and more refined hardware to make for Google’s best phone yet. The Pixel 7 series was released on October 13, 2022, with a promise of OS updates until at least October 2025 and security updates until at least October 2027.
Google Pixel 6a
The Google Pixel 6a came out on July 28, 2022, with Google’s first generation Tensor chip. With the first-generation Tensor comes a promise of three years of OS updates and five years of security updates. The Pixel 6a will receive Android OS updates until at least July 2025 and security updates until at least July 2027.
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Google Pixel 6 and Google Pixel 6 Pro
Google released the most sizable refresh to the Pixel line in years on October 28, 2021. These phones were the first to include Google’s first generation Tensor chip. With Tensor, like the 6a, Google promises three years of OS upgrades and five years of security updates. It means the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro will receive OS updates until at least October 2024 and security updates until at least October 2026.
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Google Pixel 5a (5G)
Released on August 26, 2021, the Pixel 5a was the last phone to use Google’s old design language. Google launched the Pixel 5a with a promise of three years of OS and security updates. Therefore, the Pixel 5a will likely receive its last update in August 2024.
Google Pixel 4a (5G)
The Pixel 4a (5G) was announced alongside the Pixel 5 but released about a month later, on November 5, 2020. The 4a (5G) came with the then-standard three years of OS and security updates. The Google Pixel 4a (5G) no longer receives OS or security updates.
Google Pixel 5
Google’s 2020 flagship was the last to use the old design language and came out on October 15, 2020. This phone changed Google’s approach from a flagship contender to a more budget-focused phone, even though the price didn’t necessarily reflect that. Like many older Pixel phones, the Pixel 5 promised three years of security and OS updates. The Pixel 5 no longer receives OS or security updates.
Google Pixel 4a
The Pixel 4a was Google’s second A-line phone. It was released on August 20, 2020. It came with three years of OS and security updates like other Pixels at the time. The Pixel 4a no longer receives OS or security updates.
Google Pixel 4 and Google Pixel 4 XL
Google released its only phones that included Google’s Soli technology on October 24, 2019. These phones came with three years of security and OS updates at launch. The Pixel 4 series received its last update in October 2022 and received Android 13 before Google discontinued support.
Google Pixel 3a and Google Pixel 3a XL
The first A-series phones from Google came out on May 7, 2019, and no longer receive updates.
Google Pixel 3 and Google Pixel 3 XL
The third series of flagships made by Google was released on October 9, 2018, and is no longer supported.
Google Pixel 2 and Google Pixel 2 XL
Perhaps the most beloved Pixel phones ever, the Pixel 2 and 2 XL were released on October 19, 2017, and no longer get updates.
Google Pixel 1 and Google Pixel 1 XL
Google introduced its first Pixel on October 20, 2016, which received its last update in 2019.
Keep your Pixel’s software up to date
Owning a Pixel phone is a delightful experience due to quick and frequent upgrades. They also have an extensive support life. Although your Google Pixel device should update automatically, you can manually check for software updates. The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are AI powerhouses since you can use them to edit photos, create summaries for transcripts, remove background noise, and more.
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Google Pixel 8
$549 $699 Save $150The Google Pixel 8 boasts the same rounded design as its bigger brother, and with Google’s new Actua branded screen offering brightness levels of 1,400 nits, it’s easy to see what’s improved here at a glance. The new Tensor G3 chipset also offers improved efficiency, performance, and AI capabilities.
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Google Pixel 8 Pro
$749 $999 Save $250The Google Pixel 8 Pro offers some of the most substantial improvements over its cheaper brother over previous models. Pro controls on the camera are impressively powerful, and Magic Eraser now has the capability to augment images, not just remove objects. Add in the new Tensor G3 with better AI capabilities and you’ve got a device with a phenomenal amount of potential.
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Google Pixel 8a
The Pixel 8a wants you to forget the Pixel 8 ever existed. With some crucial upgrades over its predecessor, including a brighter display, faster processor, and larger battery, Google’s latest mid-range smartphone is the perfect combo of speed and AI smarts. And with seven years of OS upgrades, it’s the longest lasting $500 smartphone you can find today.
