Before I get into the update details, please remember how vital it is to make sure your phone is charged to at least 80% battery, if not 100%, before you attempt an update. If your Pixel loses power during the update at any point, you’re at serious risk to start the process over again, lose data, or even worse, need to factory reset your phone.
What’s in the New Nougat Update?
The update’s primary concern is security, and performance, so let’s take a look at how Verizon is improving that for their Pixel owners. First things first, this update brings your Android security levels up to a new standard, but doesn’t give you any additional security options that you can tweak. However, you do get more options to backup and recover first party apps on your Pixel. This means apps like Google Drive, or Google Messenger are covered in another layer of data safety. Next up are some Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Fixes. Previously, options were missing from HD and Wi-Fi calling on Verizon Pixels, but this is fixed in the update. In the same vein, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi functionality sees a boost in reliability and performance after updating. Additionally, voice calling in general now has better performance on 7.1.2 for the Pixel and Pixel XL. Last but not least, if you’ve run into the rare bug where you can’t receive text messages, that should now be fixed. With everything this update fixes, even if it doesn’t add any crazy new features, it sounds essential for any Pixel or Pixel XL owner with Verizon.
How do You Download the New Nougat Update?
If you’re still running stock OS, other than waiting for an update message to prompt the update, it’s easy to initiate yourself. Before you begin the update, make sure you’ve saved everything you need currently open on your device. The update will make your phone restart, so be wary. When you’re ready, here’s how to do it in a few steps.
1. Diving into Your Settings
From anywhere on your Pixel, access your Settings, then navigate to About phone, and finally System updates. This will trigger a download if you have an update available in most cases.
2. Downloading the Update
The 7.1.2 Nougat update isn’t a major one, so depending on your connection strength, the update won’t take very long. When the download is finished, tap the Install now button to make the OTA update available. The 7.1.2 Nougat update isn’t a major one, so depending on your connection strength, the update won’t take very long. When the download is finished, tap the Install now button to make the OTA update available.
3. Installing the Update
After a few moments you’re given the option to Restart & install so you can finally update to 7.1.2. Confirm the option, and wait for your phone to restart on its own. Once it boots back up again, the software update will be successfully installed. If you need additional instructions, please see Verizon’s update date page for more details.
When’s the Next Verizon Update Planned?
While you can find the news about Verizon’s updates to the Pixel on their own page, there isn’t any information about when the next one is rolling out. However, despite Verizon’s past reluctance to update their phones as quickly as other carriers, they’ve claimed their updates will go out simultaneously with Google’s. This doesn’t mean that Verizon will stop supplying their own updates alongside Google’s, but it at least means that Verizon Pixel owners won’t have the company keeping their phones in the dark anymore. If Verizon’s stance on updates has frustrated you before, this should come as a great relief.
Conclusion
This update is the first of many to make sure the Google Pixel stays at the top of its game, and marks a turning point for Verizon updates in general. At least in the case of the Google Pixel, Verizon will no longer stand in an update’s way. Download the new update as soon as you can! If you have any problems accessing the new update, please ask any questions you have down below. Featured Image Credit
