While there are many reasons to buy a Google Pixel phone, software support determines how long it will be secure. After security support expires, your Pixel phone becomes vulnerable to malicious actors. This affects every Pixel phone, from the flagship Pixel 8 Pro to the budget Pixel 7a, the best value Android phone.
Pixel phones receive OS and security updates before any other Android phone. We collated every Pixel phone below, along with their update expiration date, so that you know when it stops receiving updates. Regular updates are important to keep your device secure.
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 a bigger slate of features than Android 13. While these updates are interesting, they are not required to use your phone (although highly recommended).
Security updates are less exciting but more important. These address security vulnerabilities across 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. An archive of every security update can be found on the Android Security Bulletin website.
Now that we’ve discussed the types of Android updates, let’s look at how long your Pixel phone will receive updates.
Google Pixel phones receive OS and security updates until a set year and month. This 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 its update expiry date.
The Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro combined 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. We expect the upcoming Pixel 8a to offer the same length of software support.
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.
The Google Pixel 7a launched on May 10, 2023, and was Google’s most advanced “budget” device, nearly matching the Pixel 7’s specs. This 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.
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.
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.
Google’s largest refresh to the Pixel line in years was released 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 updates and five years of security updates. This 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.
Released on August 26, 2021, the Pixel 5a was the last phone to use Google’s old design language. The Pixel 5a was released with a promise of three years of OS and security updates. Therefore, the Pixel 5a will likely receive its last update in August 2024.
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’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.
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’s only phones that included Google’s Soli technology were released 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 support was discontinued.
The first A-series phones from Google came out on May 7, 2019, and no longer receive updates.
The third series of flagships made by Google was released on October 9, 2018, and are no longer supported.
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 introduced its first Pixel on October 20, 2016, which received its last update in 2019.
The Pixel phones are excellent 5G phones thanks to their reliable software updates. Google updates their phones more frequently and quicker than other manufacturers, which, paired with a long support life, makes owning a Pixel a delightful experience. Your Pixel phone should update automatically, but check for a software update if you want to push it manually.
Maybe if we start telling people the brain is an app they will start using it!
