Table of Contents
Highlights
- Google Pixel update December 2025 rolled out a surprise second OTA for Pixel devices.
- Google has hotfixed the Pixel 10 touch issue and abnormal battery drain.
- It resolves bugs in offline and cached content access after the Android 16 upgrade.
- Verizon confirmed the update with build BP4A.251205.006.E1.
- Rollout is limited and mainly affects Pixel 8, 9, and 10 users.
Google Pixel update December 2025 cycle just got an unexpected follow-up. Following the comprehensive December release (Android 16 QPR2), the Over-The-Air (OTA) update has begun rolling out primarily to affected carriers, primarily for Pixel 8, Pixel 9, and Pixel 10 users, with Verizon customers most affected.
The update focuses on critical bug fixes, including Pixel 10 touch issues, abnormal battery drain, and issues accessing offline content after upgrading to Android 16.
What’s happening: Google pushes the second OTA December 2025 Pixel Update.
According to reports this week, some Pixel 8, Pixel 9, and Pixel 10 series users are now receiving a ~25MB update following the December update earlier this month, as per the usual schedule. However, the December update is actually much more minor than normal, coming in at under 25 MB.
The vital point: Verizon has released notes confirming this “second December update” and its fix list, providing Google Pixel updates to device owners with one of the most public explanations of this update so far: The December release is mainly focused on fixing issues users discussed.
Verizon confirms build BP4A.251205.006.E1 and lists three major fixes
On Verizon’s own Google Pixel update page, the carrier has listed the update as System Update 7, which was issued on December 17, 2025, with the December 2025 Android security patch level, and its software version as BP4A.251205.006.E1.
Among the issues corrected, the change list provided by Verizon mentions the following three bug fixes that will directly affect customers:
- Battery drain fix: resolves ‘faster than normal battery depletion.’
- Pixel 10 touch issue: fixes “intermittent touch failures observed specifically on Pixel 10.”
- Improved cache content access: The bug has been fixed, preventing cache content (e.g., offline content/media/map) from being accessed after a direct upgrade from Android 14 to Android 16 (or earlier).
This clearly indicates that Google is working on user-reported issues of stability and usability that could be “device-breaking,” notably the Pixel 10 touch issue response bug.
How does this affect the major Google Pixel update in December 2025
Earlier in December, Verizon’s notes also reveal that the “main” update for the month is BP4A.251205.006 (System Update 6, dated December 2, 2025), which includes major stability fixes in battery/charging, Bluetooth, display, system UI, Wi-Fi, and other areas, in addition to the December security update.
On a different note, the second OTA, the December 2025 Google Pixel update, makes it clear that this month’s release is a stability-focused hotfix, not only meant to fix some bugs but also to add to Android 16’s momentum in feature drops.
New AI and Android 16 features coming in December Pixel Updates
In addition to these stability issues, some Android 16 QPR2 notification features were introduced with the December Google Pixel update rollout.
Important highlights that users are tracking.
Android 16, Google Pixel phones have been upgraded in the following ways:
- Notification Summary for long chats
- Notification Organizer for automatically muting notification sounds.
- Force Dark Mode enhancement that enables Dark Mode for apps that lack it.
This mid-month hotfix was released right after the initial release of the Android 16 QPR2 update, underscoring that Google is ready to deliver minor fixes, even though specific bugs slipped through.
How to check and install the December 2025 Pixel Hotfix Update
If you’re on an eligible Pixel (especially Pixel 8/9/10 devices), here’s how to look for it:
- Open Settings
- Tap System
- Go to Software Update.
- Tap Check for update
- Download and install (and restart)
If you’re on Verizon and you’ve had unusual battery drain or touch issues on Pixel 10, this is the update to watch for: BP4A.251205.006.E1.
Rollout status: limited; not everyone will see it immediately
Currently, it appears this build is not widely available, and whether every carrier and region receives the same build (or one similar to it) is unknown. Also, Google had not yet made the images for this update available, furthering the belief that this is more of a carrier-focused release.
Bottom line
If you’ve already updated with the December 2025 update for your Pixel devices and are facing any issues with the battery, touch bugs in the Google Pixel 10, or problems with the content being offline/cached when you upgrade your devices to Android 16, this is the second December update for you, especially if you are from Verizon.
Google’s rapid mid-cycle hotfix shows a strong focus on Pixel reliability, even after major Android releases.
