Update for Android devices, rolled out on July 16, primarily focusing on addressing two issues affecting Google Pixel models.
Google has rolled out the Android 16 July update for a range of Pixel devices, including the Pixel 6a, 7, 7 Pro, 7a, 8, 8 Pro, 8a, Pixel Fold, Tablet, 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, 9 Pro Fold, and 9a. However, this update does not include any new Android security patches.
The reason for the lack of security patches in the July 2025 Android 16 update is that the update focuses mainly on functional patches rather than security fixes. According to the official July 2025 Pixel Update Bulletin, there are no Pixel security patches for this release. Instead, the update contains functional improvements and bug fixes but no new security vulnerability patches.
The Android security patch level for this Pixel update is dated July 5, 2025, which addresses all known issues in both the Pixel bulletin and the general Android security bulletin. Thus, any security fixes have already been incorporated in preceding updates or are covered by this patch level.
The Pixel 6a is receiving a mandatory battery update as part of the rollout. This update enables important battery management features, but it will reduce battery capacity and charging performance on impacted devices after the battery reaches 400 charge cycles.
Interestingly, the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro models did not receive an update this month, which may relate to the focus on functional/battery fixes on newer models. An early changelog from carriers showed the July Pixel update included display and Wi-Fi improvements rather than security patches. The Android security patch level shown in some early releases was still June 2025, suggesting a delay or oversight but ultimately no new security fixes in July.
In summary, the July 2025 Pixel update does not have new security patches because the patch level dated July 5, 2025, already addresses security vulnerabilities, and this month's update instead focuses on functional fixes like battery management and connectivity improvements. Hence, the dedicated Pixel security bulletin for July omits new security patches, reflecting the nature of this release.
The July 2025 Pixel update, where no new security patches are included, primarily focuses on functional fixes such as battery management and connectivity improvements. This aligns with data-and-cloud-computing technology trends, where updates can prioritize functionality over security patches in specific instances.
