Pixel 6 series Upgraded with March 2023 Security Update

It is finally here! The much-anticipated March 2023 security update for the Pixel 6 series has arrived. Google commenced the rollout of the update for Pixel phones last week, but it was limited to the Pixel 4 and Pixel 7 series. Now, it is the turn of the previous generation phones – Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, and Pixel 6a. The latest update comes with a fresh security patch, an array of new features, and system-wide improvements.

Google has equipped the Pixel 6 lineup with the TQ2A.230305.008.E1 build number on the unlocked variant. The details have been officially shared by Google on the Pixel support website, and a considerable number of users have already received the update on their devices. This particular update has a weight of approximately 270MB on the Pixel 6 phones, which is larger than last month’s build.

The March Pixel Feature Drop has arrived with a host of new and improved features. Our team has addressed several issues, including the occasional difficulty in opening Wallpaper & style settings, enhancing both wired and wireless charging, boosting fingerprint recognition, resolving Android Auto connectivity issues, stabilizing the camera, and making several UI fixes. For more information, please see the specified page.

Here is the comprehensive list of changes that come with this March Security Update for the Pixel 6 series:

Apps:

• Fix for the issue that causes the Live Translate feature to prompt for translation too frequently in certain apps
• Fix for the issue that occasionally keeps the display on while certain app activities are active
• Fix for the issue that occasionally prevents screenshots from being captured in certain apps
• Fix for the issue that occasionally prevents the Wallpaper & style settings from opening

Battery & Charging:

• Fix for the issue that occasionally causes app-specific battery restriction settings to be reset after a software update
• General improvements for charging, battery usage, and performance in certain conditions

Biometrics:

• Additional improvements for fingerprint recognition and response in certain conditions

Bluetooth:

• Fix for the issue that occasionally prevents Android Auto from connecting wirelessly with certain vehicle head units
• Improvements for connection stability with certain Bluetooth LE headsets or accessories

Camera:

• General improvements for camera stability and performance in certain conditions

Display & Graphics:

• Fix for the issue that occasionally causes display flicker or artifacts in certain apps or conditions
• Fix for the issue that occasionally causes instability or playback errors with certain media apps or content
• Fix for the issue that occasionally causes video preview to flicker in certain apps

Framework:

• Fix for the issue that occasionally prevents the keyboard from displaying in certain apps or conditions

Sensors:

• General improvements for adaptive brightness response in certain conditions

System:

• General improvements for system stability and performance in certain conditions
• Kernel updates to 4.14.295, 4.19.261, 5.10.149

Telephony:

• General improvements for network connection stability and performance in certain conditions

User Interface:

• Fix for the issue that causes certain on-device search results to launch apps in the work profile
• Fix for the issue that causes certain text entries in the Battery Usage settings to overlap each other while scrolling
• Fix for the issue that causes the home screen UI to appear blurred in certain conditions
• Fix for the issue that causes lag or delay while switching between apps while using third-party launcher apps
• Fix for the issue that occasionally causes inner launcher icons to appear clipped after closing a folder
• Fix for the issue that occasionally causes input text to overlap inside the search bar
• Fix for the issue that occasionally causes the media player notification to appear cut off or trimmed
• Fix for the issue that occasionally causes the navigation UI to display over the Assistant interface
• Fix for the issue that occasionally causes the notification drawer to appear empty or blank
• Fix for the issue that occasionally causes Overview screen panels to display over the home screen
• Fix for the issue that occasionally causes Quick Settings tiles to be activated while the menu is not pulled down
• Fix for the issue that occasionally causes screen unlock to overlap with notifications, home screen, or other UI elements
• Fix for the issue that occasionally causes the silent mode icon to appear hidden or missing from the status bar
• Fix for the issue that occasionally prevents the app icon size from scaling correctly when changing the display size
• Fix for the issue that occasionally prevents screenshot sharing or editing from working when tapping overlay buttons
• Fix for the issue that prevents haptic feedback when interacting with the notification drawer in certain conditions
• General improvements for performance in certain UI transitions and animations
• Improvements for home screen icon behavior when switching between different grid sizes
• Improvements for status bar layout and response in certain device orientations

Wi-Fi:

• General improvements for Wi-Fi network connection stability & performance in certain conditions
• Improvements for connection stability with certain Wi-Fi 6E-capable routers or networks

If you own a Pixel 6 series smartphone – Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, or Pixel 6a, you can now update it to the March 2023 security update. The update is being rolled out in a staged manner, and you will receive the OTA notification once it becomes available on your device. You can tap on it and download the update or simply go to the Settings > System > Advanced > System update and install the new software.

Alternatively, you can manually install the February 2023 update on your Google Pixel phone by sideloading the update. The factory images and OTA files of the September update are already available. However, make sure to take a backup before sideloading the new software.