Google rolls out the October Android Security Patch, still based on Android 11
Google may not be releasing the final version of Android 12 for everyone to download today, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a new software update available. In addition to announcing the arrival of Android 12 in AOSP, Google has also pushed the October security update to Pixel devices.
As expected, the update is still based on Android 11, and is rolling out to the following devices:
- Pixel 3 / 3 XL
- Pixel 3a / 3a XL
- Pixel 4 / 4 XL
- Pixel 4a
- Pixel 4a 5G
- Pixel 5
- Pixel 5a
According to the security bulletin page, a total of 10 vulnerabilities have been patched with this latest update. These include vulnerabilities in the Framework, System, and Android runtime. The worst of which was the ability for “a local attacker with physical access to the device to execute arbitrary code in order to gain access to additional permissions.” So needless to say, this update is a bit more robust than other security patches that we’ve seen.
The OTA update is rolling out beginning now and carries a build number of RQ3A.211001.001 for devices ranging from the Pixel 3 to the Pixel 5. The Pixel 5a (North America) has a build number of RD2A.211001.002, while the Japanese version sees a version number of RD2A.211001.001. Because these updates don’t change the version number for the OS, it’s important to double-check the build numbers just to make sure you have updated to the latest firmware available.
And as always, you’ll receive a notification once the OTA update is made available for your device. You can try and “force” the update through by spamming the “Check for update” button, but it shouldn’t take too long to arrive. While it’s great to see the security update arrive, we’re still keeping our fingers crossed for Android 12 to come sooner rather than later.