Google has officially started rolling out the January 2026 security patch for Pixel phones, marking the first software update of the year. The latest release brings several important bug fixes and performance improvements, including a much-needed solution for battery drain issues affecting Pixel 8 users.
As expected, the update also addresses a range of problems reported across other Pixel devices, making it a significant monthly patch rather than a routine security release.
January 2026 Pixel Update: What’s New?
Google typically releases its monthly security patches on the first Monday of each month, but the January 2026 update arrived slightly later than usual. The delay now makes sense, as the changelog reveals a large number of fixes—particularly for the Pixel 10 series, where display-related issues had been widely reported.
According to the official changelog, the update includes:
- General improvements to GPU performance under certain conditions
- A fix for noisy lines flashing on the screen when editing HDR photos in Adobe Lightroom
- Resolution of Always-On Display flickering issues
- Fixes for touchscreen input problems that caused unresponsive behavior in specific scenarios
These improvements should noticeably enhance overall system stability and display performance on supported Pixel devices.
Battery Drain Fix Finally Arrives for Pixel 8 and Newer Models
One of the most important changes in the January 2026 Pixel security update is the fix for battery drain issues, which have been heavily reported by Pixel 8 and newer device owners.
While Google has not gone into technical detail, early indications suggest improved battery efficiency after installing the update. Users should note that battery performance changes may not be immediate—it can take a few charging cycles before the system fully adapts and battery percentage behavior stabilizes.
Security Patch Details
Interestingly, despite the wide range of bug fixes, the January 2026 security patch for Pixel phones resolves only one confirmed security vulnerability. This suggests that the update is more focused on bug fixes and performance optimizations rather than security threats.
Availability
The update is currently rolling out gradually and may take some time to reach all eligible Pixel devices. Users can manually check for the update by navigating to:
Settings → Security & privacy → Updates → System update
Use the following device key to interpret the Pixel’s Android 16 January update changelog:
*[1] Pixel 7a, Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8a, Pixel Fold, Pixel Tablet, Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Pixel 9a, Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, Pixel 10 Pro Fold
*[2] Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8a, Pixel Fold, Pixel Tablet, Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Pixel 9a, Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, Pixel 10 Pro Fold
*[3] Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, Pixel 10 Pro Fold
January 2026 security patch for Pixel phones Changelog
Audio
Fix for noisy ringback tones experienced during Webex calls under certain conditions*[1]
Battery & Charging
Fix for issue with battery draining in certain conditions*[2]
Display & Graphics
Fix for issue with AOD flickering under certain conditions*[3]
Fix for noisy lines flashing on the screen when editing HDR photos in the Adobe Lightroom app under certain conditions*[3]
General improvements for GPU performance in certain conditions*[3]
Touch
Fix for issue with touchscreen randomly stops working in certain conditions*[3]
User Interface
Fix for an issue where deleting a Live Universe wallpaper could occasionally cause the Wallpaper and style app to become unusable until the device is rebooted*[1]
via: 9to5Google
