Google Pixel 6 and 6 Pro reach the end of the line after living on borrowed time
Android Police 2026-07-20 20:42:59
Context: Google has announced that the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro smartphones have reached the end of their life cycle, following the release of Android 17 QPR2 Beta 1. The devices will no longer receive over-the-air updates, including security patches, after the end of September. This development comes despite Google's initial promise of providing three years of OS updates and five years of security updates for these devices.
Key Facts
- Google released Android 17 QPR2 Beta 1, which marked the end of life for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, as stated in the release notes for the update.
- The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro will not receive the Android 17 QPR2 Beta 1 OTA update, and the Android 17 QPR1 beta series will be the last for these devices.
- Google initially promised three years of OS updates and five years of security updates for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro when they were released in 2021.
- Despite the initial promise, Google provided the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro with two additional years of support, allowing them to "live on borrowed time" beyond their expected expiration date.
- After the end of September, the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro will be frozen at the latest Android 17 build, losing access to new features and security updates, which poses a risk to users due to the lack of security patches.