Google has released the February’s Android security update for Pixels

In brief, Google is still providing monthly security updates for Pixel devices, the February 2024 update is primarily focused on fixing bugs and making improvements rather than adding new features. The update addresses issues with the camera, display, graphics, frame, and Wi-Fi stability and performance. Although Google no longer adheres to a fixed date for releasing Pixel updates, the company has consistently rolled out security updates every month since October 2023. The company reiterated its commitment to providing seven years of updates for the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro. However, despite this change in approach, Google has commenced the rollout of the February 2024 Android update for Pixel devices, as it has done like clockwork on the first Monday of the month. The update has started rolling out to eligible Pixel devices, including Google phones and tablets beginning with the Pixel 5a 5G. The model has a build number of UQ1A.240205.002 on most Pixels, with the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro receiving a slightly different build number of UQ1A.240205.004. Given the recent Feature Drop at the end of January, the release notes primarily emphasize bug fixes rather than new functionality. The February 2024 update includes bug fixes and improvements for Pixel users. The update encompasses fixes for display crashes, problems with the external interface, and improvements in stability and performance with other applications, in addition to stability and performance updates for Wi-Fi in certain situations. This update comes following the release of the February 2024 Android Security Bulletin, which comprises two security groups: February 1 and February 5. The first group addresses security vulnerabilities related to Android itself, while the second group focuses on vendors’ specific issues. The patches in the February 1 group resolve 15 vulnerabilities, including a critical bug in the Android System (CVE-2024-0031) that “could lead to remote code execution without the necessary additional access.” The patch notes for February 5 address 31 vulnerabilities in products from Qualcomm, Arm, MediaTek, and Unisoc. Not all of these patches may be included in the current Pixel updates if they are not applicable. The January 2024 Google Play System update was recently halted due to storage issues on some Pixel devices, which may be the reason for the summary “Improve stability or work with third-party apps.” Unlike monthly security updates or Feature Drops, Play System updates install quietly in the background, potentially causing issues for users who may not notice until they experience problems. Google has issued a temporary fix for affected users, and a guide is available for those encountering issues. If you are affected, you can check for updates and follow installation instructions. If willing to resolve the current storage issues, you can use the manual method to flash the factory images or disable the OTA.

Author: OpenAI