December 2020 Android security patch out now (Update: Final Pixel 2 update out)

Update, December 8, 2020 (12:45 PM ET): Yesterday, Google pushed out the December 2020 Android security patch to most of the active Pixel phones. However, the update for the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL was notably absent. Now, though, the update is available from the usual sources (OTA is here and the factory image is here).

This will be the final update for the Pixel 2 line. Going forward, the only way to keep your Pixel 2 phone updated and secure will be through unofficial means. See you, space cowboy.

Original article, December 7, 2020 (02:21 PM ET): The December 2020 Android security patch is here! If you own a recent Google Pixel smartphone, you can perform a software update check now in System Settings to grab it. You can also update manually or simply wait for the OTA notification.

According to the bulletin associated with the December 2020 Android security patch, there are a whole bunch of bug fixes in this update. However, Google declined to list out what they exactly are. Instead, all the focus appears to be on the major feature drop that landed next to this update.

Related: Pixel Feature Drops: Google making old phones new again is great news for us all

It should also be mentioned that the December 2020 Android security patch has not yet hit the Google Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL. Those devices will see one final update this month, although apparently not at the same time as its siblings.

If you don’t want to wait for the OTA alert on your Pixel phone, you can always manually update. To download the factory image or OTA, click the appropriate link below. Don’t have a Pixel phone? The Google Pixel 4a costs just $349 and is one of our favorite phones of the year so far.

December 2020 Android security patch links

Note: These links are for unlocked models only. If you have a carrier-branded Pixel, you will need to visit here for factory images or here for OTA images.