Google Pixel Update December 2025: Everything You Need to Know About the Latest Hotfix

Google Pixel update December 2025 has brought some unexpected surprises for users this month. If you own a Pixel phone you might have noticed not one but two updates landing on your device.

I have been tracking these updates closely and let me tell you this month has been busier than usual for Pixel owners. Google rolled out the main December update with Android 16 QPR2 earlier this month and then surprised everyone with a second smaller hotfix update.

This additional patch is targeting some critical issues that users faced after installing the first December update. The second update weighs around 25 MB which is quite small compared to regular monthly updates.

I noticed that many Pixel 8, Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 series users started reporting this mysterious update on Reddit and other forums. Google has not officially announced this hotfix yet which makes it even more interesting.

The timing of this second Google Pixel update is crucial because it addresses problems that were affecting daily usability. I have seen complaints about battery drain, touch responsiveness issues and problems with accessing offline content.

These are not minor bugs but issues that can seriously impact how you use your phone every day. The update carries build number BP4A.251205.006.E1 for global variants and different build numbers for Japan and EMEA regions. What makes this update special is that Google is rolling it out quietly without the usual fanfare.

Factory images and OTA files are now available on Google’s developer pages which means you can manually install it if you have not received it yet.

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Key Takeaways

• Google released a surprise second December update for Pixel phones targeting critical bugs
• The hotfix is approximately 25 MB and fixes battery drain, touch issues and offline content problems
• Update is rolling out to Pixel 8, Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 series devices
• Build numbers vary by region: BP4A.251205.006.E1 for global, BP4A.251205.006.C2 for Japan
• Google has not officially announced this update but factory and OTA images are available
• Users on Verizon received it first with wider rollout happening gradually
• The update does not add new features but focuses purely on bug fixes

What Issues Does the New Google Pixel Update Fix

The second December Google Pixel update addresses three major problems that users experienced after installing Android 16 QPR2. I personally know how frustrating these issues can be because they affect basic phone functionality.

The first problem is battery drain which many users noticed immediately after the main December update. Your Pixel phone might have been losing battery faster than normal even when you were not using it heavily.

This is one of those issues that makes you constantly check your battery percentage and worry about running out of power.

The second issue is touch unresponsiveness which particularly affects Pixel 10 users. I have heard from several Pixel 10 owners that their screens occasionally stop responding to touch inputs. Imagine trying to type a message or scroll through social media and your screen just freezes for a few seconds.

This intermittent problem can be really annoying when you are trying to get things done quickly. The third problem involves cached content access which is a technical way of saying your offline maps and downloaded media might not work properly.

If you upgraded directly from Android 14 to Android 16 you might have faced this issue where your locally stored content becomes inaccessible.

Which Devices Are Getting This Hotfix Update

The second December Google Pixel update is rolling out to specific device models. From what I have observed Pixel 8, Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 series devices are the primary recipients of this hotfix.

This includes all variants like Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL and Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The Pixel 10 lineup which is Google’s newest series is getting special attention because of the touch responsiveness issues that are specific to these models.

I noticed that older Pixel models like Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 series have not been mentioned in the rollout reports yet. This could mean Google is focusing on newer devices first or these older models did not experience the same bugs.

The rollout started with Verizon users in the United States which is typical for carrier specific updates. Now it has expanded to unlocked devices and other carriers though the pace is still gradual. Some users on Google Fi and T-Mobile reported they are still waiting for the update even days after the initial rollout began. If you are outside the US particularly in regions like India you might need to wait a bit longer as Google usually rolls out updates in phases.

How to Check and Install the Google Pixel Update

Checking for the new Google Pixel update is straightforward. I always recommend going to Settings on your Pixel phone then navigate to System and tap on Software updates. If the update is available for your device you will see it listed there with the build number starting with BP4A.251205.006 followed by regional variants.

The download size should be around 25 MB which means it will not take long to download even on slower internet connections. Make sure your phone has at least 30 percent battery before starting the update or better yet keep it plugged in during installation.

If you have not received the over-the-air update yet you have another option. Google has uploaded factory images and OTA files to their developer pages which means tech savvy users can manually sideload the update.

I have done this several times when I did not want to wait for the phased rollout. The process requires connecting your Pixel phone to a computer and using ADB commands but there are detailed guides available online. However I suggest waiting for the official OTA if you are not comfortable with manual installation because Google will push it to your device eventually.

What Makes This Update Different From Regular Updates

This second December Google Pixel update stands out because of its unusual nature. Google typically releases one update per month which includes security patches and bug fixes.

Having two updates in the same month is rare and signals that the issues being addressed were significant enough to warrant immediate attention. I appreciate that Google acted quickly instead of making users wait until January for fixes.

The small size of this update confirms it is purely a hotfix targeting specific problems rather than adding new features or major system changes.

Another interesting aspect is the lack of official communication from Google. Usually when updates roll out there are blog posts, changelogs and announcements on Google’s support pages. This time the information came from Verizon’s support documentation and user reports on social media platforms.

I find this unusual because Google generally maintains transparency about software updates especially for their flagship Pixel line. The fact that factory images are available suggests Google acknowledges the update exists but they might be testing it on a limited scale before wider deployment.

Should You Install This Google Pixel Update Right Away

Based on my experience I strongly recommend installing this Google Pixel update as soon as it becomes available on your device. The issues it fixes particularly battery drain and touch responsiveness are serious enough to affect your daily phone usage.

If you have been experiencing any of these problems the hotfix should resolve them. I have seen reports from users who installed the update saying their battery life returned to normal and touch issues disappeared.

However there is one consideration to keep in mind. Since this is a quiet rollout without extensive testing reports you might want to check online forums and communities to see if other users are reporting any new problems after installation.

I typically wait a day or two after seeing an update notification to see if there are any widespread issues. But given that this update is specifically designed to fix existing bugs rather than add new features the risk of new problems is relatively low. The updates that usually cause issues are major version upgrades not small hotfixes like this one.

Tags: Google Pixel update, Android 16 QPR2, Pixel December update, Pixel hotfix, battery drain fix, touch responsiveness, Pixel 8 update

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