Google Pixel software support: how long yours lasts

Google promises seven years of updates for newer Pixels, but older models get five. Here's when your phone stops getting patches.

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Oct 11, 2026

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Google Pixel software support: how long yours lasts

Google promises seven years of updates for newer Pixels, but older models get five. Here's when your phone stops getting patches.

In brief

Google promises seven years of updates for newer Pixels, but older models get five. Here's when your phone stops getting patches. Google guarantees seven years of software updates for Pixel 8 and later, five years for Pixel 6 and 7 families, with support windows ending between October 2026 and August 2033 depending on…

Google's seven year promise

With the Pixel 8 in 2023, Google announced all Pixels would receive seven years of software updates, including major OS upgrades. This matched Samsung's pledge for select flagships.

“Going forward, Pixel phones would receive seven years of software updates”

Older Pixels get less support

Pixel 6 and 7 families, plus the original Pixel Fold, receive five years of updates from their release month. Pixel 5a and earlier are already obsolete and no longer receiving updates.

When your Pixel stops updating

Pixel 6 and 6 Pro reach end of support in October 2026. Pixel 7 and 7 Pro get updates until October 2027. Pixel 6a stops in July 2027. Pixel 7a continues until May 2028.

Newer Pixels have longer windows

Pixel 8 and 8 Pro stop receiving updates in October 2030. Pixel 9 and 9 Pro, released August-September 2024, get support until those months in 2031. Pixel 10 and 10 Pro end in August 2032.

A-series phones follow different schedules

Pixel 8a, released May 2024, loses support in May 2031. Pixel 9a, shipped April 2025, stops receiving updates April 2032. Pixel 10a, released less than a year later, gets final updates around March 2033.

Security risks after updates end

Once Google stops updates, your Pixel stops receiving monthly security patches. New security issues discovered after that point won't be fixed, leaving older devices exposed to threats.

Custom ROMs offer limited protection

Installing GrapheneOS or LineageOS on an old Pixel won't fully protect you. Custom updates lack original equipment manufacturer firmware, kernel and vendor code, leaving security gaps that official updates would cover.

The takeaway

Google guarantees seven years of software updates for Pixel 8 and later, five years for Pixel 6 and 7 families, with support windows ending between October 2026 and August 2033 depending on model and release date.

Read the original on Engadget

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