The Google Pixel collection is thought for normal safety patches and updates, however that has modified to one of many longest official assist home windows within the business. In case you have a Pixel, right here’s how lengthy your machine will probably be supported—and steps if it isn’t supported anymore.

Replace: Attributable to Google’s elevated assist window for the Pixel 6, 6 Professional, 6a, 7, 7 Professional, 7a, and Fold now we have altered this information to point the prolonged working system replace plans.

One of many main causes folks love Google Pixel telephones is that they get updates on day one when an OS improve is introduced. Google additionally makes it tremendous simple to get OTA updates both straight in your telephone or by utilizing developer choices to flash these manually should you can’t anticipate a notification ping.

Unsupported Fashions

When the OG Pixel launched in 2016, it shipped with simply three years of assured OS updates and common month-to-month safety patches. This remained the identical for the Pixel 2 and Pixel 3, however a few exceptions had been made to provide particular gadgets extra updates past the three-year window the place wanted.

As of late 2024, fairly just a few of the traditional Pixel telephones are now not supported. These embody the Pixel and Pixel XL, Pixel 2, Pixel 3, Pixel 3a, Pixel 4, Pixel 4a, and Pixel 5 and 5a collection. The Pixel 5a with 5G acquired its final replace in August 2024. These gadgets will probably be working the next Android variations and related safety patches:

None of those telephones will obtain updates from Google until a essential vulnerability is deemed vital to repair or patch. So chances are you’ll wish to look into different assist choices. From the Pixel 6 collection and onwards, Google modified the replace schedule to five years.

Pixel 6 collection

The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Professional, launched in October 2021, marked the introduction of Google’s in-house Tensor chip, enhancing AI and machine studying capabilities. Each gadgets got here with the primary main enlargement within the assist window with 3 OS updates assured plus 5 years of safety patches promised. Per a quiet however essential replace, the Pixel 6 collection is about to get extra full-fat OS updates for a complete of 5 years.

These handsets are supported till October 2026, once more aligning with Google’s first five-year assist dedication for Tensor-powered Pixel fashions. The mid-range Pixel 6a, launched just a few months later in 2022 as a extra reasonably priced possibility, enjoys prolonged assist by way of July 2027, offering wonderful longevity for a budget-friendly mannequin.

Pixel 7 collection + Pixel Watch

Launched in October 2022, the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Professional each will obtain OS updates and safety patches till October 2027. Just like the 6a, the mid-range Pixel 7a, launched later than the principle collection in 2023, follows Google’s expanded assist for Pixel A-series gadgets, with updates assured till Might 2028 – which now contains full OS updates moderately than month-to-month patches after 3 years.

The primary Pixel Watch was additionally introduced alongside the Pixel 7 collection in October 2022. It is a distinctive product line and as such, isn’t going to get the identical stage of assist. The Pixel Watch will probably be supported till October 2025 – making it a 3-year window. This window does embody all main Put on OS updates through the time interval.

Pixel Pill and Pixel Fold

The Pixel Pill launched in June 2023, however just like the Pixel Watch doesn’t have the identical replace window as an everyday telephone. Will probably be supported for simply 3 years and assist is slated to finish in June 2026. This will change given it has the identical internals because the Pixel 7 collection, however there is no such thing as a official phrase on that presently.

Launched alongside the Pixel Pill, the primary foldable Pixel goes to get 5 years of assist that now contains 5 full Android variations and 5 years safety patches. The present assist window signifies that the Pixel Fold updates will stop in June 2028.

Pixel 8 collection + Pixel Watch 2

The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional, launched in October 2023, are Google’s first cohort of {hardware} to get an unprecedented 7-year Android assist window. Not like the earlier generations, Google doesn’t differentiate between OS updates and safety patches on the Pixel 8 and eight Professional. In concept, this implies each replace till October 2030.

At simply $499, the Pixel 8a may very well be the most cost effective machine with a devoted 7-year assist window. It was launched in Might 2024 and can obtain updates till Might 2031.

Additionally launched with the Pixel 8 collection, the Pixel Watch 2 retains the 3-year replace window. Help for the wearable will finish in October 2026.

Pixel 9 collection + Pixel Watch 3

As the most recent {hardware} within the Google smartphone lineup, the Pixel 9 collection was launched in August 2024. It’s also the largest concurrent launch lineup and consists of the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Professional, 9 Professional XL, and Pixel 9 Professional Fold.

Each single considered one of these fashions can also be set to comply with Google’s new 7-year assist coverage, extending OS and safety updates till no less than August 2031. It’s not clear if Android 15 counts as one of many updates, however it could be protected to imagine so based mostly on the standard Android replace cycle.

Primarily based on the replace cycle, this could imply that the Pixel 9 collection will get Android 21. A complicated conundrum right here is that this may very well be the identical model that the Pixel 8 collection will probably be up to date till—therefore some confusion. At the moment, there are rumors that Android 16 is coming earlier, so that would additionally change what number of updates the Pixel 8 and 9 collection {hardware} will get.

The Pixel Watch 3 continues the development of 3-year replace cycles. It’s going to obtain Put on OS releases from now till October 2027.

What to do when the assured assist window ends in your Google Pixel

For most individuals, we’d counsel upgrading to a brand new mannequin as soon as your telephone is now not formally supported. So meaning when you’ve got an older Pixel mannequin, just like the Pixel 3, 3a, and prior, you’ll have a a lot better day-to-day expertise grabbing a more moderen telephone.

In case you are adamant that you simply wish to hold utilizing your present telephone and are in it for the lengthy haul then chances are you’ll wish to take into consideration flashing a customized ROM in your machine. Annoyingly, there aren’t many choices for ROMs on wearables, which suggests a Pixel Watch may have a shorter general shelf life.

Third-party ROMs like LineageOS, GrapheneOS, and others are respected methods to increase machine life with continued safety and OS updates. LineageOS at present helps all Pixel smartphones, excluding the latest Pixel 9 collection. By flashing a customized ROM, you may proceed utilizing your telephone however with some further peace of thoughts that it’ll be protected and safe.

We advocate this strategy if you’re prepared to do some tinkering. Putting in customized ROMs requires technical steps, and safety updates could not at all times match Google’s stage, so it’s essential to weigh these concerns earlier than diving in. As we be aware, for most individuals, an improve will probably be a greater possibility.