Next Google Pixel update adds raise-to-wake, double-tap-to-wake
It's been just a few weeks since the Google Pixel November security update started rolling out, but already we're seeing a new build hitting some handsets, with the second update apparently hitting Pixel owners in Canada first.
Pixel owners in TELUS, Bell and Public Mobile are reporting on Reddit that they're receiving the update to build NPF26J, which weighs in 261MB. The biggest user-facing change seems to be new "moves" for the Pixel phones, including the ability (as was in the Nexus 6P) to raise the phone to wake it and see notifications, or double-tap to see alerts. That's a useful tweak, and the first new feature we've seen added to the Pixels since launch.
There's also been speculation that this update might address the bugs some folks are seeing using their Pixels on LTE Band 4. So far, there's no confirmation either way on that issue.
Android nerds will know that the second letter of the build usually denotes which code branch it's from (R = release, M = maintenance release, P = preview), however Google has gone off the rails with build numbers before, so don't read too much into this being an "NP" build.
The OTA files to go from NDE63V to the new NPF26J have been captured, so if you're on that build (or want to grab a factory image and flash NDE63V), you should be able to then sideload the zip to update to the new build. You'll find the NDE63V-to-NPF26J OTA files here for the Pixel and here for the Pixel XL.
More: How to manually update your Nexus or Pixel
TELUS's software update page confirms that a "Security Update + Bug Fixes" update is rolling out starting November 22, which seems to make things official. However we're not seeing anything from the U.S. carriers, nor has Google updated its factory and OTA images page yet.
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We'll keep you posted if this new build shows up anywhere else. In the meantime, hit the comments and let us know if you've already updated.
Alex was with Android Central for over a decade, producing written and video content for the site, and served as global Executive Editor from 2016 to 2022.