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How to install OTA updates and keep root on your Google Pixel phone
Looking for a way to keep root access after OTA updates on your Google Pixel phone? Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do so.
Part of the beauty of owning a Google Pixel phone comes through the proper availability of firmware images that can be used to return the device to a factory state. Even if you unlock the bootloader, root the phone, or tinker a bit too much, you can always restore the stock configuration. Having said that, some users might find it difficult to keep root access and associated mods intact while retaining the ability to take monthly security updates. Although many hardcore Android fans will know exactly what to do, not everyone is as adept at getting their phone updated without losing root.
How to downgrade your Google Pixel device from beta or developer preview to stable Android version
Tried Android 13 beta, but weren't a big fan? Here's how to downgrade from Android 13 back to stable Android 12 on your Google Pixel device.
Smartphone companies that are on top of their software update game are far and few between. Luckily, Google Pixel users not only get major updates before everyone, they can also test out the upcoming version of Android through a public beta program. It has been some time since Google released Android 13 through the beta channel for eligible Pixel devices and while the update has received generally favorable reviews, we can't forget the fact that it is still just a beta quality software, not a daily driver like Android 12.
LineageOS 18.1 is now available for the original Google Pixel and Pixel XL
Official builds of LineageOS 18.1 based on Android 11 are now available for the original Google Pixel and Pixel XL. Read on to learn more.
After releasing LineageOS 18.1 based on Android 11 for the Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite, Moto G100, and Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (LTE) late last month, the LineageOS team has added three more devices to the LineageOS 18.1 build roster. Official builds of LinageOS 18.1 based on Android 11 are now available for the original Google Pixel, Pixel XL, and the Redmi Note 8/Redmi Note 8T.
Dirty Unicorns is back on XDA with ROMs for several Google Pixel phones
Dirty Unicorns, one of the most popular and feature-packed custom ROMs for various Pixel phones, is back again on the XDA forums. Read on to know more!
In recent years, Dirty Unicorns has been one of the most feature-packed, stable, and popular custom ROMs available for various Pixel phones, but for a long time, it couldn't be found on the XDA forums. That changed with an announcement on the Dirty Unicorns Twitter account on Monday, August 3rd and you can now enjoy a traditional Dirty Unicorns forum thread for each supported device.
Here's how to unlock the bootloader of the Verizon Google Pixel/Pixel XL running Android 10
The Verizon variant of the Google Pixel and the Google Pixel XL running Android 10 can now be bootloader unlocked. Read on to know more!
Back in 2016, Verizon secured a carrier exclusivity deal with Google for sales of the first-generation Google Pixel and Pixel XL within the United States. Unlike the regular variants of the Pixel/Pixel XL, the devices purchased from the carrier came with a permanently locked bootloader. A free-to-use bootloader unlock exploit named dePixel8 was released rather quickly, but Google closed the loophole in a subsequent security update. Another bypass technique popped up in our forums in 2018, which had been patched in a similar manner. It looks like the community has now managed to discover yet another interesting bypass method that can be used to permanently unlock the bootloader of the first-generation Google Pixel and Pixel XL sold by Verizon.
July 2020 security update goes live for the Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy S20
Google is rolling out the July 2020 Android security patches to the Pixel family. Samsung is also rolling it out to the Galaxy S20 at this time.
We're already 6 days into July, but since today is the first Monday of the month, that means it's time for the latest batch of Android security patches. Google has published the latest Android Security Bulletin for the month of July and is also rolling out the update to the Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL, Pixel 3a, Pixel 3a XL, Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, Pixel 2, and Pixel 2 XL. Samsung is also rolling out a new update bringing this same Security Patch Level (SPL) to the Galaxy S20 series in the U.S.
LineageOS 17.1 adds support for the Google Pixel, Pixel XL, and Nexus 6
An official build of LineageOS 17.1, based on Android 10, is now available for the original Google Pixel, Pixel XL, and Nexus 6.
Earlier this month, the team behind the LineageOS custom ROM officially rolled out LineageOS 17.1 based on Android 10. The update introduced several new features to the ROM family, including a new partial screenshot UI that lets you select smaller parts of your screen to capture and edit, a new ThemePicker app from AOSP, the latest Android security patches, support for on-screen fingerprint sensors, support for pop-up and rotating cameras, and much more. As with previous iterations of LineageOS, LineageOS 17.1 was initially available for a handful of popular devices, a list of which can be found in our original announcement post. As expected, the team has now added support for a couple of more devices, including the original Google Pixel, the Pixel XL, and the Nexus 6.
[Update: Fixed in March Update] How to fix charging and end call sounds on the Google Pixel after the Android 10 update
Some Google Pixel owners noticed that after updating to Android 10, the system no longer plays the old UI sounds. Check out this guide to fix this issue.
With the Android 10 update, some owners of the first and second-generation Google Pixel smartphones noticed that several UI sounds were different. For example, some users noticed that the end call and screen locking tones were missing while others noticed that the charging sound was different. If you have noticed this weird behavior on your Pixel after updating to Android 10 and are wondering what might possibly be the reason, we have the answer — as well as the solution.
Google's Pixel Feature Drop for March may include dark mode scheduling, Quick Access Wallet, and more
Google's Pixel Feature Drop for March may include features like dark mode scheduling, quick access wallet, car crash detection, and more.
Back in December last year, Google introduced a new approach to bring feature updates for its Pixel series. Instead of rolling out new features whenever they were ready, the company adopted a more systematic approach and announced that it will be rolling out a new "feature drop" every three months alongside the Android security patches. The first feature drop was released along with the December security patches and it introduced a couple of new features, including post-snap Portrait Mode, auto Call Screening, and more. As per the release schedule, Google is expected to roll out the second Pixel feature drop next month. While the company hasn't released any information about what features will be included in the next drop, a teardown of the latest update for the Pixel Tips app reveals all that's coming in the next drop.
[Update 2: Settlement Checks Sent] Google will pay up to $500 to Pixel owners with defective microphones
After a lawsuit settlement for Google's Pixel/Pixel XL microphone issue controversy, Google will reportedly offer up to $500 to affected customers.
The Google Pixel and the Pixel XL were, for the most part, exceptional devices when they launched back in 2016. They were the first devices to mark the death of the Nexus legacy, and also signified a big change of direction for Google in several aspects. Nowadays, they're still receiving love---they even have Android Q! However, as good as they were, they also had certain flaws going on. One of them being a microphone-related issue---certain Pixel and Pixel XL devices came with defective microphones.
Google's Automatic Call Screen feature is now available on all Pixel phones
Late last year, Google rolled out Automatic Call Screen to the Pixel 4, and now it's available on all Google Pixel devices.
Call Screen is a feature that was introduced on the Pixel 3 back in 2018. It essentially allows Google Assistant to act as your literal real-world assistant, taking the call for you and asking questions on your behalf. Late last year, Google rolled out Automatic Call Screen to the Pixel 4, and now it's available on all Google Pixel devices.
Google Camera 7.3 hints at 24fps video recording and 2020 mid-range Pixel code-names
Google Camera 7.3 is rolling out on the Play Store and it surfaces a Do Not Disturb setting and hints at 24fps video recording and Pixel 4a support.
Google Camera 7.3.017 started rolling out tonight for a handful of users. We obtained the APK and installed it on our Pixel 2 XL and Pixel 4, and on the surface, there aren't many changes. The only thing we immediately noticed is that there's a new listing in the Settings page called "Do Not Disturb access needed" when the user hasn't granted the Do Not Disturb permission to the camera app. When you grant the camera app Do Not Disturb access, it can pause notifications while you're recording videos, so your video won't be disturbed by the vibration of a notification.
Enable Quick Wallet Access for Google Pay on any rooted Google Pixel smartphone running Android 10
Here's how to enable "Quick Wallet Access" on Google Pixel - a new Android 10 feature that lets you change your Google Pay card from the power menu.
During the early Android Q betas, a new gesture called "show cards & passes" was discovered in Settings. According to its description, this feature allows one to access their credit cards, passes, and tickets from Google Pay, as well as an emergency information card, in the power menu. When Google launched Android 10 for the general public, they put up a webpage detailing some of the new features of the new OS. One of the features was called "quick wallet access," and its description matched what we saw in the early Android Q betas. However, this text was removed from the page, and the feature never appeared in any Android 10 release - even with the launch of the Pixel 4 in October and the first "Pixel Feature Drop" in December. We know the feature is still there, though, because we managed to activate it in mid-September, and we've confirmed it still works today. Now, we're sharing our mod to enable Quick Wallet Access on your own rooted Pixel smartphone.
Google's first "Pixel feature drop" includes post-snap Portrait Mode, auto Call Screen, and more
Today, Google announced another change to how Pixel devices will receive updates with the first-ever "Pixel feature drop."
Earlier this month, Google rolled out the December Android security patches. The company made some changes to the format they have traditionally used for these monthly releases. Instead of listing "functional patches" on the Pixel Bulletin, Google moved them to the Pixel Community Forum. Today, the company announced another change to how Pixel devices will receive updates with the first-ever "Pixel feature drop."
How to enable Pixel 4's Live Caption feature on older Pixel phones and other rooted Android 10 devices
The new Live Caption feature is a Google Pixel 4 exclusive, but here's how to enable it on older Pixel phones and other rooted Android 10 devices.
For users who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, Google's new Live Caption tool in Android 10 could be really useful. This tool was announced at Google I/O earlier this year, and what it does is automatically provide captions for audio that's playing on your device. It works with videos, podcasts, audio messages, and other supported media (but not phone or video calls). When Google launched the feature, they made it a Pixel 4-exclusive, though they said they planned to bring it to the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3a sometime this month. However, we've already shown that it can run on other devices, too, and now I'm going to share how to enable it on your own device.
The evolution of the Google Pixel series: from OG to Pixel 4
Google has been taking a bare minimum approach to upgrading their phones annually. But how much has the Google Pixel series evolved since the beginning?
It's not often that we think about the evolution of a brand. Sure, we compare the phones year after year, but we rarely take a step back and examine the long-term growth. Google has taken a bare minimum approach at upgrading their phones annually, especially with the most recent launch. But how much has the Google Pixel series evolved since the beginning?
Google Camera 7.2 mod brings Astrophotography, Super Res Zoom, and more to older Pixel phones
A mod of Google Camera 7.2 is available for older Pixel phones, and it supports both Astrophotography and Super Res Zoom.
The Google Pixel 4 has only just launched, and we're already getting new Google Camera ports with added features that previously weren't available. One such feature that people really love is the new Astrophotography shooting mode, which is great for picking up stars and other cosmic activity with just your smartphone and a steady surface. We tested it a little while ago, which you can read more about here. A modification of Google Camera 7.2 has brought Super Res Zoom and the aforementioned Astrophotography mode to older Pixel smartphones. It was specifically tested on the Google Pixel 2, though should be universal for older Pixel smartphones. You can check out the changelog below from XDA Senior Member cstark27.
[Update: Clock Plugins] Google is working on lock screen clock customization in Android Q
An in-development feature of Android Q on the Google Pixel lets you change the lock screen clock to a text clock, bubble clock, or stretch clock.
The first Android Q beta release was made public 2 days ago. If you have a Google Pixel smartphone, you can download the beta right now. The biggest new features in Q are the system-wide dark mode (which has inexplicably been hidden from users), the privacy and permissions revamp (though the leaked permission overview interface was also hidden), and the desktop mode. We've been digging into the release using our trusted APKTool and JEB Decompiler to find all the hidden features like new gestures and Active Edge remapping that might arrive in the final Q release. Another feature that we found is lock screen clock customization.
[Update: Removed from Release] Pixel Launcher in unreleased Android Q beta adds a swipe to pull down notifications gesture
The latest Pixel Launcher in an unreleased Android Q beta lets you swipe down anywhere on the home screen to pull down the notifications panel.
In Android Q, the new gesture navigations will only work with pre-installed system launchers like Google's Pixel Launcher. For those of you who are fans of third-party launchers like Nova Launcher, Lawnchair, Action Launcher, or Hyperion, you may be disappointed to hear that Android's awesome new gesture controls won't work with your favorite launcher. Google's stock launcher is well-designed, but it lacks a lot of the features that power users are accustomed to. We've now learned that one such feature, the ability to swipe down anywhere to pull down the notification panel, will be added to the stock Pixel Launcher in a future Android Q beta.
Stable Android 10 is now available for the Google Pixel and the Essential Phone
After 6 beta releases, Google apparently thinks Android Q is ready for primetime. Android 10 Q is available now for Pixel devices.
After six beta updates, Google is finally ready to release stable Android 10 (Queen Cake? Quince Tart? Who knows!). This has been one of the most interesting Android beta periods since Google started the program. The gesture navigation system has been the main focus and Google apparently thinks it's ready for primetime. Android 10 is available now for Pixel devices.