Google Pixel owners reporting install problems with latest update

Google Pixel owners are reporting installation problems when trying to update their phone to the latest security level. The July security patch update, which started rolling out yesterday, has left some Pixel owners with the message: “Couldn’t update – installation problem,” now being discussed on Reddit and the Google Product forums.

The issue appears to be limited to the 5-inch Google Pixel variant only, while the Pixel XL is unaffected. Google has already stated that it is looking into the matter via the Google Pixel community page.

It’s unlike a comparatively small security update to generate a problem for devices, but it’s not the only issue that the Pixel has encountered in its lifetime: it suffered from an audio distortion issue at launch which was later fixed in a February update, and a Bluetooth problem addressed in March.

Unlike those two prior issues, however, this recent security update blip doesn’t harm device usability. The Google Pixel phones are among the first to receive monthly security patches and other phones can wait months to get upgraded to the same level. In other words, this is a minor problem and would still be a minor problem if it wasn’t addressed until the August security patch lands.

When Google provides a fix, we’ll let you know.