The December 2021 security patch for select pixel phones running Android 12 is out now. Monthly security patches may not be as exciting as the Pixel Drop updates that add new features to your mobile, but it is important to install them as soon as possible. Because hackers can take advantage of security vulnerabilities.
With more than 100 buck squashes and stability enhancements and 87 security fixes for Android 12, this month’s patch seems to be the most important, including fixing a flaw that could allow hackers to manipulate remote code on your device with malware-manipulated media files. The patch also fixes 49 vulnerabilities specific to pixel devices.
How to install the December 2021 Android 12 security patch
While the patch will eventually hit all pixel devices running on Android 12, the exact timing will vary between models.
The patch began to appear on most Pixel phones yesterday, including:
Pixel 3a and 3a XL
Pixel 4 and 4 XL
Pixel 4a and 4a 5G
Pixel5
Pixel 5a
However, the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro devices will get their first patch next week with the December 2021 update and the new Pixel feature drop specs.
If you have already installed the December 2021 Pixel Feature Drop update, it is likely that your Android 12 security connection is already installed.
To check if you have access to that patch, go to Settings> System> System Update. If you do not want to wait for the update to arrive on the Internet, you can use these links manually by overriding the OTA update file.
Alternatively, you can install the update using the factory image files available on the Google Developers page. This method will overwrite all your current files, so first backup your pixel data and then follow the steps in our guide on installing ROM image on your Android mobile.
