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May update for certain Pixel models, out now, repairs haptic bug and more

By Alan Friedman

Published: May 02, 2022, 5:57 PM

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May update for certain Pixel models, out now, repairs haptic bug and more

Google today rolled out the monthly Pixel update for May. The update includes the extermination of a bug that surfaced after the March update was released and which broke the haptics feature on the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. As Google stated today, the May update includes "Improvements for haptic feedback under certain conditions and use cases." The listing makes it clear that this fix is for the Pixel 6 series.

Another fix is included in the update and corrects a bug that occasionally caused the phone to wake without any interaction by the user. But this bug was not limited to the latest Pixel models. In fact, this bug extermination was pushed out for users of the Pixel 3a, Pixel 3a XL, Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a (5G), Pixel 5, Pixel 5a (5G), Pixel 6, and Pixel 6 Pro. The same long list of Pixels receives another fix for a bug that caused the Pixel Launcher to crash after a Pixel device was restarted under certain conditions.

Time to grab the Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro

Google Pixel 6

The Pixel 6 is also available at BestBuy with our without carrier plan activation. All storage and color versions are in stock.

$599

Expired

Google Pixel 6 Pro

Same BestBuy conditions apply to the Pixel 6 Pro too. You can get an unlocked version or a version with a carrier plan.

$899 ⁹⁹

Buy at BestBuy

Starting today, applicable Pixel models will receive these bug fixes. Depending on the carrier you use and the model number, Google will continue rolling out the update in phases. Once the update is available to be updated Over the Air (OTA) for your Pixel device, you will receive a notification. To update your Pixel, go to Settings > System > System update. The update weighs in for the Pixel 6 Pro at 33.72MB.

Google released the monthly Pixel update today for May

The security patches for the Pixels included with today's update are dated 5-1-2022 and 5-5-2022.

You might recall that when the haptics stopped working as strongly as they had been before the March update, some Pixel users thought that Google had reduced the strength of the vibrations on purpose and called it a feature, not a bug. But with the inclusion of this fix in today's update, the truth is out. Reducing the haptics on the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro was not a feature; it was a bug.

Google releases the monthly update for the Pixels on the first Monday of each month with the Quarterly Feature Drop released every three months. That means that the next update will come on June 6th and will include a Feature Drop. There are rumors that Google will include the Face unlock facial recognition system in the June Feature Drop for the Pixel 6 Pro. Over the weekend we explained how this might work and why only the "Pro" model would get the Face unlock feature.

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Alan, an ardent smartphone enthusiast and a veteran writer at PhoneArena since 2009, has witnessed and chronicled the transformative years of mobile technology. Owning iconic phones from the original iPhone to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, he has seen smartphones evolve into a global phenomenon. Beyond smartphones, Alan has covered the emergence of tablets, smartwatches, and smart speakers.