Verizon rolls out new Android 7.1.2 Nougat update for its Pixel phones

Google released Android 7.1.2 Nougat factory images and OTA files for the Nexus and Pixel devices, but the update won't be available for other Android OEMs for a while. Moreover, Google included the April security patch in the update, thus being the first to provide it to its customers.

Verizon's Pixel smartphones received the update as well, but the US carrier is rolling out another one that brings a couple if improvements on top of those released by Google.

The update is available for both Pixel and Pixel XL at Verizon, but it won't change the Android version, your phone will remain at Android 7.1.2 Nougat. However, Verizon's update has the build number NHG47K, whereas Google released build numbers N2G47J and N2G47E for Pixel and Pixel XL, respectively.

So, aside from better performance and connectivity for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, Verizon's update adds a new feature that allows Pixel users to back up and restore 1st-party apps like Calendar, Drive, and Messenger.

Also, both Pixel and Pixel XL should perform better during voice calls. Verizon mentions that the update is supposed to fix certain HD Voice and Wi-Fi calling options that were missing after the phone's software was updated.

Last but not least, a bug that prevented the phone from receiving text messages in rare cases has been addressed too. Make sure that your battery is fully charged before starting the software update though.