Google has begun rolling out its May 2025 software update for eligible Pixel devices, bringing a suite of bug fixes, crucial security patches, and a significant bootloader update for some models. This Pixel May Update focuses on enhancing user experience and device integrity.
What’s New in the Pixel May Update?
The update addresses several specific issues reported by users:
- Audio: A fix is included for degraded microphone recording quality that occurred in certain applications.
- Bluetooth: Issues with Bluetooth pairing, particularly with some smartwatches under specific conditions, have been resolved.
- Framework: An issue causing a secondary language to be displayed in quick settings under certain conditions has been rectified.
These improvements apply to all supported Pixel devices, though some fixes might be carrier or region-specific. The rollout is occurring in phases and will continue over the next week. Pixel users will receive a notification when the update is available for their device.
Important Security and Bootloader Changes
A key aspect of the Pixel May Update is the patching of a zero-day exploit identified as CVE-2025-27363. Google noted that there were indications this vulnerability might be under limited, targeted exploitation, making this update particularly important for security.
Furthermore, the May update introduces a bootloader update for the Pixel 6 series (Pixel 6, 6 Pro, 6a) and Pixel 8 series (Pixel 8, 8 Pro, 8a). This update increments the anti-rollback version for the bootloader. This is a security measure designed to prevent the device from being downgraded to older, potentially vulnerable bootloader versions. Consequently, once these devices are updated to the May 2025 build, users will not be able to flash or boot older Android 15 builds. Google has not shared details of the bootloader vulnerability at this time.
How to Get the Update
Pixel users are encouraged to check for the update by navigating to Settings > System > System update. For those who prefer to manually install updates, the official OTA and factory images will be available on the Google Pixel OTA images page.
Ensuring your Pixel device is running the latest software is crucial for optimal performance and security. This Pixel May Update delivers on both fronts, addressing user-reported bugs and reinforcing device protection against emerging threats.
Hopefully, next month will be the Android 16 release. Until then, keep an eye on our blog for the latest news!