Google drops update to fix fingerprint issues on 5G Pixel 6 line

While the Google Pixel 6 series has suffered through some bugs, Google has already started sending out software updates to exterminate them. For example, the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro were both making random phone calls to numbers in the user's contacts list along with calls to emergency number 9-1-1. A Pixel community manager wrote on Reddit, "Thank you for your patience and bug reports. We have rolled out a fix, please update to the latest version of Google App (12.43.18 or higher) in the Play Store."

Today, Google started to take care of the beleaguered in-display fingerprint scanner which was accused by some users of being a laggard. Others complained that the fingerprint scanner was unlocking phones using unregistered fingerprints and that the biometric reader was shutting down after the phone ran out of battery life requiring a factory reset to turn it back on.

The other day we told you about two updates that were disseminated for the Pixel 6 line, one for Verizon locked phones and the other for global variants. None of the updates had a changelist and we came to the conclusion that the updates were pushed out to fix some of the Pixel 6 series bugs. Well here is what we now know. The update, known as Software Update 1, was released to Verizon Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro users yesterday and the carrier says that it "improves the performance of your device's fingerprint sensor."

We were originally told that the updates contained the November security update but now it turns out that the October security update was the one that came along for the ride. The software version number is SD1A.210817.037.A1. Many Pixel 6 series users left very favorable opinions of the update with one stating that "I just unlocked my phone 20 straight times with the fingerprint sensor without any hiccups. Hope it keeps up this way. Also worked smooth in my banking apps."

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Google Pixel 6 Pro

Verizon is offering a similar to AT&T's deal on the Google Pixel 6 Pro. Get the phone at up to $800 off its regular price if you trade-in an eligible decice.

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Some complained about how slow the update took to complete. But the reason, according to a Reddit post, is that "what takes forever is optimizing all your apps. They used to do this after the reboot, but that meant you couldn't use your phone for 20+ minutes on the first reboot. Updates are slower now than they used to be, but less of that time is spent with your phone sitting there like a brick."

To update your Pixel, go to Settings > System > Advanced > System update. But before you download the update, Verizon wants you to connect your device to a Wi-Fi network or a strong Verizon cellular signal. And before starting the update, make sure that your battery is fully charged.

Waiting for Google to send out software updates to rerpair bugs found on newly released Pixel models is nothing new. Out of all Pixel handsets released since the first Pixel units launched in 2016, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are most well known for the variety of issues that the models had when first released.

Users heard strange rattling sounds from the speakers on the Pixel 2 XL and as one owner of the device said at the time, "I am on my third Pixel 2 XL. All of them have the same issue where the speaker distortion and rattling affect the conversation quality of the phone call." Another problem, screen burn-in, was also discovered on several Pixel 2 XL models as well.

Luckily, all of the issues that have surfaced on the Pixel 6 series can be fixed with a software update and as we see, Google is already hard at work to correct the problems.