Google has just released new system images and OTA files for the Nexus and Pixel lines, and it might just be the thing that some Pixel owners have been waiting for.
That said, a freezing issue has been going rampant on certain Pixel handsets, and the solution is now starting to roll out. If waiting is no option, it's already up for sideloading.
Pixel Freezing Issue Fix
According to some Pixel owners, their handsets would suddenly stop working and become unresponsive for at least one minute before it goes back to normal without an explanation.
Fortunately, a Pixel community manager caught wind of the situation and clarified that the solution is already on the way.
"There is a fix included in the June security update that should address many of the freezing issues that have been reported. The update is starting to roll out via OTA today and will continue to roll out over the coming weeks. Freezing and general device performance issues can be caused my many different things, so please continue to update this post with your individual experiences after accepting the June security OTA," he says in a thread dedicated to the problem at hand.
As usual, sideloading may not be for the faint of heart. Still, those who are experiencing the aforementioned freezing issue have more reasons to install as soon as they can.
To be clear, the Pixel has to have an unlocked bootloader to get the system images to work. That won't be a problem for those who bought the smartphone directly from Google, but it's a different story for those who got it from Verizon. Put simply, there are more hoops to jump through.
As for the OTA files, there's no need to have the bootloader unlocked. Users can just install them if the device is running on the appropriate corresponding version.
Of course, the option to just wait for it via the usual OTA process is always there. The update shouldn't take that long to arrive too.
Pixel, Nexus OTA Files And System Images
As a reference, here are the build numbers for the Pixel and Nexus devices involved. Keep in mind that these vary depending on the carrier.
• Pixel and Pixel XL: NHG47N, NJH34C, NJH47B, NKG47L
• Pixel C: N2G47W
• Nexus 5X: N2G47W
• Nexus 6: N6F27E
• Nexus 6P: N2G47W
• Nexus Player: N2G47X
• Nexus 9 LTE: N4F27E
• Nexus 9 Wi-Fi: N9F27C
As a side note, NHG47N is for the Pixel and Pixel XL on Verizon.
With that cleared up, Google posted the OTA files and factory images on its developer pages, putting them up for download for anyone.
It's also worth mentioning that the new update doesn't just fix the freezing issue on the Pixel but also iron out some wrinkles in terms of security.
In other Pixel- and Nexus-related news, Samsung's non-beta internet browser app is now compatible with the phones, and interested users can now take it out for a spin.
With all said and done, have you experienced the freezing issue on your Pixel? If so, feel free to hit us up in the comments section below and let us know if the new update fixed your problem.
