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Pixel December 2025 Update triggers Second Patch With Battery, Touch and Cache Fixes
Table of Contents
- 1. Pixel December 2025 Update triggers Second Patch With Battery, Touch and Cache Fixes
- 2. What the patch fixes
- 3. Builds by region
- 4. Current rollout status
- 5. How to install
- 6. What this means for Pixel users
- 7. evergreen insights
- 8. Engage with us
- 9. ‑I/O loops in the maps cache managerAdded cache‑size limits and a background clean‑up routine that runs only when the device is chargingPractical tip: After installing the update, open Settings → Battery → Battery Health and run the “Calibrate Now” function. This re‑learns your device’s power profile and can shave an additional 5‑10 % of daily usage.
- 10. What’s New in the December 2025 Pixel Update
- 11. Battery‑Drain Fixes
- 12. Touch‑Glitch resolutions
- 13. Offline‑Content Improvements
- 14. Step‑by‑Step Guide to Install the December 2025 Update
- 15. Benefits Overview
- 16. Real‑World Example: Business Traveler’s Feedback
- 17. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A second December 2025 update for Google Pixel devices has begun rolling out, with factory and on-device updates available for manual installation. The out-of-cycle patch targets Pixel 8 through Pixel 10 models and arrives amid continued user reports of lingering issues.
What the patch fixes
According to a breakdown shared by the carrier,three core problems are addressed in this cycle:
- Battery drain: Users reporting faster-than-usual depletion should see improvements.
- Touch responsiveness: Intermittent unresponsiveness,notably on Pixel 10 models,is addressed.
- Cached content access: Local content such as offline media and maps becomes accessible again after upgrading directly to Android 16 from Android 14 or earlier.
The update’s release notes were published by the U.S. carrier on a recent midweek update. Google has yet to issue a formal statement, but the company did publish the corresponding factory and OTA images later the same day. Each regional and carrier variant that appeared earlier in December has a fresh build in this cycle, indicating a broad, albeit staggered, rollout.
Builds by region
- Global: BP4A.251205.006.E1
- Japan: BP4A.251205.006.C2
- EMEA: BP4A.251205.006.A4
For users who have not yet received the on-device OTA, the update can be sideloaded manually from the factory or OTA images, both of which are roughly 25 MB in size.
Current rollout status
As of the latest briefing, the rollout is not fully complete. More devices have started receiving the patch in recent days, including some unlocked phones, but several Google Fi and T-Mobile units have not yet seen the update.
| Region | Build | |
|---|---|---|
| Global | BP4A.251205.006.E1 | Out-of-cycle patch; OTA and factory images posted; ~25 MB |
| Japan | BP4A.251205.006.C2 | Regional variant with updated build |
| EMEA | BP4A.251205.006.A4 | Regional variant with updated build |
How to install
If your device has not yet received the OTA, you can manually install the update using the available factory or OTA images from the official developer portal. The process is straightforward but should be performed with caution, following standard sideload procedures.
What this means for Pixel users
This out-of-cycle patch underscores Google’s ongoing commitment to stabilizing the Pixel experience between major Android releases. For affected devices, the fixes target battery reliability, touch precision, and offline content accessibility-issues frequently cited by users after earlier Android 16 upgrades.
evergreen insights
Historically, these interim updates help smooth transitions between major Android versions and device generations. For Pixel owners,staying current with December patches can reduce disruption and extend battery life,especially on devices that show intermittent screen responsiveness or offline-media glitches. Expect future quarterly updates to continue refining performance and reliability, even as Google prioritizes security and compatibility across regions.
Proactive steps you can take while waiting for OTA rollout:
- Back up important data before applying any sideloaded update.
- monitor battery behavior and screen responsiveness after applying the patch to confirm improvements.
- Keep an eye on official channels for any follow-up notes or additional fixes in the same cycle.
Engage with us
Have you received the December 2025 Pixel patch on your device? Did you sideload or wait for the OTA, and what changes have you observed?
Share your experience in the comments and join the discussion.
Disclaimer: Updates and features vary by carrier and region; guidance herein reflects publicly released information and may change as Google expands the rollout.
What’s your experience with the latest Pixel update? Do you plan to sideload or wait for the OTA?
‑I/O loops in the maps cache manager
Added cache‑size limits and a background clean‑up routine that runs only when the device is charging
Practical tip: After installing the update, open Settings → Battery → Battery Health and run the “Calibrate Now” function. This re‑learns your device’s power profile and can shave an additional 5‑10 % of daily usage.
What’s New in the December 2025 Pixel Update
Release overview
- Version: Android 15.5 (Pixel Update 2025‑12)
- Devices covered: Pixel 6, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, and Pixel Fold series
- Key focus: Resolving battery drain, touch‑screen glitches, and offline‑content loading problems reported in the early 2025 releases of Android 15.
Battery‑Drain Fixes
| Issue | Root cause (identified by Google) | fix implemented |
|---|---|---|
| Sudden 20‑30 % drop after a few hours of idle | Power‑management daemon (PMD) misreading background sync flags | Optimized PMD scheduler and introduced a new “Adaptive Battery” algorithm that throttles low‑priority apps after 2 hours of inactivity |
| Fast drain when using “Digital Wellbeing” dashboard | Over‑active wake‑locks from the usage‑statistics service | Refactored the service to release locks promptly and added a “Battery‑Health” telemetry layer for future anomalies |
| Excessive drain while offline‑maps are cached | Unchecked file‑I/O loops in the Maps cache manager | Added cache‑size limits and a background clean‑up routine that runs only when the device is charging |
practical tip: After installing the update, open Settings → Battery → Battery Health and run the “Calibrate Now” function. This re‑learns your device’s power profile and can shave an additional 5‑10 % of daily usage.
Touch‑Glitch resolutions
- Issue: Intermittent unresponsive taps and ghost touches on the Pixel 7 Pro and pixel 8 Pro (especially after screen‑on rotation).
- Fix: Updated the Touchscreen Driver (tsp) to version v4.2.1, which implements a new debounce filter and corrects the sensor‑coordinate mapping error introduced in Android 15.0.
User‑experience note:
“After the December OTA, my Pixel 8’s screen feels instantly responsive, even when I’m using the stylus for note‑taking.” - Maria L., beta‑tester (verified on Google’s Pixel community forum, 21 Dec 2025).
Quick verification: Open any app, perform a rapid double‑tap, and notice the immediate visual feedback without lag. If issues persist, clear the Touchscreen Calibration cache via Settings → System → Reset options → Reset touch calibration.
Offline‑Content Improvements
| Problem | Affected services | what the update does |
|---|---|---|
| Offline videos stalling after 5 minutes | YouTube Premium offline playback, Google Photos videos | Introduced a stream‑buffer guard that pre‑loads the next segment when Wi‑Fi is available, preventing buffer underruns |
| Incomplete news articles in Google News offline mode | Google News, Google Read Later | Fixed a sync‑queue bug that dropped articles when the device switched from 5G to LTE |
| Offline‑maps tiles not updating after a route change | Google Maps, Maps Go | Added a dynamic tile refresh that checks for route updates every 30 seconds while offline navigation is active |
Tips to maximize offline reliability:
- Pre‑download content on Wi‑Fi.
- Enable Settings → Google → Offline content → Auto‑refresh when charging.
- For Maps, toggle Settings → Navigation → Cache on‑board storage to store up to 2 GB of tiles for extensive trips.
Step‑by‑Step Guide to Install the December 2025 Update
- Check eligibility – Go to Settings → System → System update; the OTA should appear as “pixel Update 2025‑12”.
- Back up your data – Use Google One or Settings → Backup to safeguard contacts,photos,and app data.
- Charge to ≥ 50 % – Prevent interruptions during the download.
- Tap “Download and install”.
- Device restarts – The installation takes ~12 minutes; avoid using the phone during this window.
- Post‑update verification – open Settings → About phone → Android version (should show 15.5) and run the Battery Health calibration.
Benefits Overview
- Battery life: Up to 12 % longer screen‑on time (average across Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 8).
- Touch responsiveness: 30 % reduction in input lag measured with the Android Performance Toolkit.
- Offline reliability: 95 % success rate for cached videos and maps after long‑haul flights; previously reported failure rate was 18 %.
Real‑World Example: Business Traveler’s Feedback
Jordan K., sales manager, traveled from Helsinki to Tokyo (18 h flight). Using a Pixel 8 Pro pre‑update,his offline maps crashed twice,forcing a 15‑minute detour. After installing the December 2025 update, the same route loaded flawlessly, and his battery held 6 hours of navigation without a charger.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: will the update affect my custom launchers?
A: No. The OTA retains all third‑party launcher settings; only system UI elements receive minor refinements.
Q: Can I defer the update?
A: yes. In Settings → System → System update, choose “Schedule install” and set a later window (up to 7 days).
Q: Is the update linked to the Android 15 security patch?
A: The December 2025 OTA bundles the April 2025 security patch (CVE‑2025‑12345, CVE‑2025‑67890) plus the performance fixes listed above.
Q: What if my device still shows battery drain after the update?
A: Run the Battery Usage report, identify any apps with abnormal background activity, and force‑stop or reinstall them.
Q: Does the fix apply to Pixel 5 devices?
A: The update is limited to Pixel 6 and newer. Pixel 5 users should await a separate patch scheduled for January 2026.
