Google March 2023 update is rolling out the Pixel 6, 6 Pro, and 6a | Pixel Watch gets AOD, faces, and more

Google rolled out the March 2023 update to the Google Pixel 6, 6 Pro, and 6a devices. The company has already updated other eligible devices with the latest security update.

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Google said the issues — all four (CVE-2023-24033 + CVE-2023-26496, CVE-2023-26497, CVE-2023-26498) — were fixed for Pixel phones with the March 2023 update, and recommended disabling VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling until then.

2023-03-20: Google Pixel updated their March 2023 Security Bulletin to now show that all four Internet-to-baseband remote code execution vulnerabilities were fixed for Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 in the March 2023 update, not just one of the vulnerabilitites, as originally stated.

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Google includes over 40 fixes for the Pixel 6 series, while the Pixel 6a benefits from these three specifically:

• Additional tuning for haptics intensity and response in certain conditions
• Fix for issue preventing device bootloader from being unlocked in certain conditions
• Fix for issue preventing device from booting to Android in certain conditions

The Pixel Feature Drop on the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro speeds up Night Sight with Google Camera 8.8.

Download Google March 2023 update (via 9to5google):

• Pixel 6 Pro: TQ2A.230305.008.E1 — Factory Image — OTA
  •  TQ2A.230305.008.F1 — WINDTRE/Canada — Factory Image — OTA
• Pixel 6: TQ2A.230305.008.E1 — Factory Image — OTA
  •  TQ2A.230305.008.F1 — WINDTRE/Canada — Factory Image — OTA
• Pixel 6a: TQ2A.230305.008.E1 — Factory Image — OTA
  •  TQ2A.230305.008.F1 — WINDTRE/Canada — Factory Image — OTA

Google Pixel Watch:

Google is also rolling out the March 2023 update for the Pixel Watch. The Pixel Watch is now on the March 5, 2023 security patch level. This update brings some important changes including features such as Watch Faces, Display, Touch, Settings, Alarms, and Settings.

• Google Pixel Watch: <RWDA.230114.008.R1>
• Google Pixel Watch (JP/TW): <RWDA.230114.008.J2>

• Digital Clock is now available with button press when the device is powered down. The time will now appear upon crown push, alongside the red low battery indicator.

• In addition to tap, tilt, button press to wake the watch, you can now rotate the Crown to wake.

• Optimizations have been added to improve sensitivity of touch screen behavior.

• Battery saver enable/disable single tap support in QSS has been fully enabled in this release.

• In the coming weeks, a fix will be rolled out via PlayStore to update the Clock app that addresses some alarms which have been having a delayed or false start. 
• Ensure Auto-update apps is selected in Play Store > Settings on your watch and you will get this update once it’s available when your watch is on charger and connected to Wi-Fi.

• Mono-audio which limits the disorientation of split-audio
• New color-correction and greyscale modes that better optimize the display for a wider range of vision preferences.

• Your Pixel Watch now has fall detection which can detect if you’ve taken a hard fall and connect you to emergency services. Once connected to emergency services, your Pixel Watch will play an automated message to request help to wherever you are.