So, you bought yourself a Pixel 6 or 6 Pro hoping to benefit from being the first to receive timeous software updates. Hmm. Whilst this is often the case, as it should be considering that Google is the purveyor of both the Android OS and the Pixel 6 series, the December Pixel Feature Drop is proving to be troublesome for the search giant. So much so, that it has paused the rollout of the OTA due to continued user reports of dropped or disconnected calls, with the promise of a new update that will roll out by late January.
Google posted the following statement on the Pixel support forum, announcing that this month’s update has been paused, and advising users to switch back to the previous software version using the Android Flash Tool (flash.android.com) and performing a factory reset:
“The Pixel team paused the December software update to Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro devices after some users reported calls were dropping or disconnecting. We have now identified a fix that will roll out in a software update by late January. This update will also include all the fixes and improvements that were originally planned in December.“
“If you received the December software update on Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro and are still experiencing mobile connectivity issues, you can revert to the previous software version using the Android Flash Tool (flash.android.com) and performing a factory reset. Please back up your phone before restoring to the previous software version. If you are not experiencing mobile connectivity issues, no action is required. “
With the Pixel Feature Drop still to be received by many Pixel 6 and 6 Pro users, the announcement of the pausation of the rollout shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. If your unit has installed the update, though, being told to wait for the new software in late January or rolling back to the previous firmware and factory resetting the handset aren’t what most people would consider ideal options, especially if you aren’t a technical guru who likes flashing new firmware.