Should you install the August 2026 Pixel update?
No: install Pixel update October 2026 instead. Pixel update August 2026 is a security update Google released on 4 Aug 2026 for Google Pixel phones and tablets. It fixes 1 security flaw, 0 rated critical and 1 high by Google.[1] None of them is known to be used in attacks.
It has since been replaced by Pixel update September 2026, released 15 Sep 2026, which includes all of its fixes. If you’re on an older version, install that instead.
Should you update?
No: install Pixel update October 2026 instead. Pixel update October 2026 came out on 6 Oct 2026 and includes every fix in Pixel update August 2026, so there’s no reason to stop at this one. Software Update offers the newest version your device can run.
Is Pixel update August 2026 still safe?
Not any more. The 2 updates since, up to Pixel update October 2026, fix 116 security flaws that Pixel update August 2026 doesn’t, and each became public the day its fix shipped. Installing it is safe: get it only from Settings → System → Software updates, never from a link in an email, text or pop-up.
What it fixes
Google lists 1 security flaw, 0 rated critical and 1 high by Google.[1] The critical or high one is:
| Flaw | Severity | What Google calls it |
|---|---|---|
CVE-2026-0163 | High | Pixel, Video Processing Unit: EoP |
How to update, and how long it takes
15 to 30 minutes, with one restart.
- Open Settings → System → Software updates → System update.Tap Check for update. Pixels usually get the month’s update in the first week.
- Install and restart.Download it, tap Restart now when it’s ready, and keep the phone charged above half.
- Install the Google Play system update too.Settings → Security & privacy → System & updates → Google Play system update.
To check it worked: Settings → About phone → Android version shows the “Android security update” date. It should say 2026-09-05 or later.
2026-06-05 vs 2026-08-05
Pixel update June 2026, released 16 Jun 2026, fixed 41 security flaws. Pixel update August 2026 fixes 1 security flaw and includes the fixes before it, so going straight to 2026-08-05 gets you both.
- Before: Pixel update June 2026, 16 Jun 2026, 41 security flaws
- After: Pixel update September 2026, 15 Sep 2026, 110 security flaws
- Pixel updates, every release and the latest version
- Updates, the latest version of everything HARD tracks
References
- ^ Google. “Pixel Update Bulletin, August 2026”, 4 Aug 2026.