How to Install OTA Updates on Unlocked Verizon Pixel 6/6 Pro
In this guide, we will show you the steps to install the OTA updates onto your Unlocked Verizon Pixel 6/6 Pro device. One of the biggest perks of owning a Pixel device is the guaranteed day one Android upgrades. However, the latest iteration of the Pixel series doesn’t seem to be in line with this notion. The 6 and 6 Pro were the first Pixel devices in this lineup when they weren’t the first in line in adopting the latest OS build. And now, the misery seems to be piling up even further.
All the users who had bought the Google Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro via Verizon were slated to receive the day-one update with the software version day 1 update (SD1A.210817.036). The update was scheduled to start rolling out by 28th October and by 30th October all the devices should have been blessed with that update. Unfortunately, that was far from the case. Most of the users having an unlocked Pixel 6/Pro on Verizon didn’t receive any update as such , even to this day.
- Why Unlocked Verizon Pixel 6/6 Pro users Are Not Receiving OTA Updates
- How to Manually Install OTA Updates on Unlocked Verizon Pixel 6/6 Pro
- Install November OTA update on Unlocked Verizon Pixel 6/6 Pro STEP 1: Install Android SDK STEP 2: Enable USB Debugging on Pixel 6/6 Pro STEP 3: Download Pixel 6/Pro OTA File STEP 4: Boot your Device to Recovery Mode STEP 5: Install OTA via ADB Sideload
- Concluding Remarks
Why Unlocked Verizon Pixel 6/6 Pro users Are Not Receiving OTA Updates
This issue has affected two sets of users- who are using an unlocked phone on Verizon Wireless or a Verizon Wireless phone on another carrier and the builds are different. So both these sets of users would be having a different build number than their global counterparts. As for this issue, the Pixel 6/Pro unlocked variant is on the Global build (SD1A.210817.019.C2), and when on VZW, it would check for the Verizon Wireless build (SD1A.210817.036.A8).
But since one is a Global Build and the other one is the Verizon Wireless, you cannot simply flash one build on top of the other. In other words, there’s no upgrade path that would allow you to upgrade from the Global SD1A.210817.019.C2 to Verizon Wireless SD1A.210817.036.A8. In order to have a proper working path, your device needs to be on the proper build for that carrier.
So if you are on Verizon and are looking to get OTA updates for the month of November (SD1A.210817.036.A8), then you will first need to be on the October build. However, you wouldn’t be getting the October OTA in the first place due to the difference in the builds. All in all, users are stuck in a vicious cycle with no fault of their own. The only silver lining is the fact that you could still ‘manually’ install the OTA updates onto your Unlocked Verizon Pixel 6/6 Pro device. And this guide shall show you how to do just that. Follow along.
How to Manually Install OTA Updates on Unlocked Verizon Pixel 6/6 Pro
To manually apply the updates, we would be taking the ADB Sideload method. Although this is still an official method and doesn’t result in data loss, yet it is highly recommended to take a backup beforehand. Moreover, there are two different approaches that you take. The first one is to install the October update via the ADB Sideload and wait for the November update to arrive which you could then install from the Settings menu.
AD Sideload in Pixel
Or opt for the second method and directly flash the November update via the ADB Sideload. As for this guide, we will be going ahead with the latter method (November). This is because there’s no point in installing the October update and then waiting for the November one to arrive, when you could directly hold of the latest one. So with that in mind, let’s proceed ahead with the steps to install the November OTA update onto your Unlocked Verizon Pixel 6/6 Pro device.
Install November OTA update on Unlocked Verizon Pixel 6/6 Pro
The below instructions are listed under separate sections for ease of understanding. Make sure to follow in the exact same sequence as mentioned. Droidwin and its members wouldn’t be held responsible in case of a thermonuclear war, your alarm doesn’t wake you up, or if anything happens to your device and data by performing the below steps.
STEP 1: Install Android SDK
First and foremost, you will have to install the Android SDK Platform Tools on your PC. This is the official ADB and Fastboot binary provided by Google and is the only recommended one. So download it and then extract it to any convenient location on your PC. Doing so will give you the platform-tools folder, which will be used throughout this guide.
STEP 2: Enable USB Debugging on Pixel 6/6 Pro
Next up, you will also have to enable USB Debugging so that your device is recognizable by the PC in ADB mode. This will then allow you to boot your device to the Recovery Mode for the ADB Sideload process. So head over to Settings > About Phone > Tap on Build Number 7 times > Go back to Settings > System > Advanced > Developer Options > Enable USB Debugging.
STEP 3: Download Pixel 6/Pro OTA File
- You may now grab the latest OTA file for your device from the below official links: OTA for Pixel 6 (codenamed oriole): Download Link OTA for Pixel 6 Pro (codenamed raven): Download Link
- Once you have downloaded the OTA ZIP file, transfer it to the platform-tools folder on your PC.
- Then rename it to OTA, so that it becomes easier to type in the command window later on.
STEP 4: Boot your Device to Recovery Mode
- Connect your device to the PC via USB cable. Make sure USB Debugging is enabled.
- Then head over to the platform-tools folder, type in CMD in the address bar, and hit Enter. This will launch the Command Prompt.
- Now type in the following command in the CMD window to boot your device to the Recovery Mode adb reboot recovery
- If you are taken to the No Command screen , then press and hold the Power Button. While having the Power key pressed, press and release the Volume Up key once and then release the Power key as well.
- You shall now be taken to the Recovery Mode. Use the Volume keys to select the “Apply Update from ADB” option and press the Power key to confirm it.
- Moreover, at the bottom of the screen, you should see the message “Now send the package that you want to apply”, confirming that the device is ready for the Sideload.
STEP 5: Install OTA via ADB Sideload
- Make sure that you have transferred the ota.zip file to the platform-tools folder and the Command Prompt window is opened inside this folder itself.
- If that’s well and good, then copy-paste the below command in the CMD window to flash the November OTA update onto your Unlocked Pixel 6/Pro device adb sideload ota.zip
- The flashing process will now begin and could take a couple of minutes. Once done, use the Volume keys to select the Reboot System Now option and press the Power key to confirm it.
- Your device shall now boot to the newly updated November build. From now on, you will receive the OTA updates directly onto your device which you could download and install from the Settings menu as before.
Concluding Remarks
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- Ray 4 years ago Reply So, if I load a Verizon specific image on my unlocked P6P purchased from the Google store, does it become a locked Verizon device? Are there any downsides to sideloading a Verizon image when I’m on the Verizon network? Thanks for the article and the clear instructions.
- Come on google 4 years ago Reply Absolute non sense this is even needed but can report this does work
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Pixel 6 Fingerprint Sensor Not Working: How to Fix
In this guide, we will show you various methods to fix the Pixel 6 fingerprint sensor not working issue. The latest offerings from the Silicon Valley giant have bought in a plethora of new goodies. Right out of the box, you will notice a completely revamped design, which was literally the need of the hour for this series. Then there are quite a few nifty camera tweaks as well which is generally along the expected lines for this lineup.
Apart from that, you will now also be getting three years of OS upgrades and five years of security patches. Moreover, the sixth iteration has welcomed an in-display fingerprint scanner, which is a first for any Pixel device. However, as opposed to other flagships that have straightaway opted for the 3D ultrasonic scanner, Google decided to stick with the old 2D optical scanner. And this isn’t proving to be the right decision.
A slew of complaints are getting accrued where users have voiced their concerns that the under-display fingerprint scanner isn’t working along the expected lines. Considering the money being spent on purchasing these flagships, and the issue gets all the more worrisome. Well, if you are also getting bugged with this issue, then fret not. In this guide, we will make you aware of various methods that shall help you fix the Pixel 6 fingerprint sensor not working issue.
- How to Pixel 6 Fingerprint Sensor Not Working Add the Same Fingerprint Twice Give it An Additonal Second Apply Optimal Pressure Use Dry Hands Clean your Screen Use a compatible screen protector Re-Add Your Fingerprint Install Pending Updates Give AI some time! Contact Google
How to Pixel 6 Fingerprint Sensor Not Working
Do note that there’s no universal fix as such. You will have to try out each of the below-mentioned workarounds and see which one works best in your favor. So keeping that in mind, let’s get started.
Add the Same Fingerprint Twice
An old trick out of the books, adding the fingerprint of the same finger twice or thrice will make the job of the scanner a little bit easier in reading those fine prints. So head over to Settings > Security and fill up two-three slots of fingerprints using the same finger. Then check out if it manages to fix the Pixel 6 fingerprint sensor not working issue.
Give it An Additonal Second
Optical under the hood fingerprints are a tad bit slower than the ultrasonic scanner. So bearing that fact in mind, consider giving an additional second to the scanner so that it is able to efficiently scan your prints.
Apply Optimal Pressure
While it isn’t documented anywhere as such, but these in-display fingerprints (especially the 2-D ones) work best when you apply the pressure in an increasing manner. However, the increase should be done gradually and lightly. So try it out and then see if it is able to fix the Pixel 6 fingerprint sensor not working issue.
Use Dry Hands
It’s no hidden secret that the scanner wouldn’t be able to read the fingerprints if your hands are wet. This is because the moisture would end up creating an additional layer between the scanner and your fingerprints, thereby preventing a successful scan. So make sure to remove such roadblocks before proceeding ahead.
Clean your Screen
Not only your hands but the screen should be cleaned as well, especially the bottom half of the screen where the scanner is located. Even the slightest of dust particles are enough to create hurdles in successful scans. So clean your screen via a cloth or fabric and then verify if the Pixel 6 fingerprint sensor not working issue has been fixed or not.
Use a compatible screen protector
Not all screen protectors are created equally! While they might cause any issues in the normal usage of the device, but they sure could cause conflict with the in-display fingerprint scanner. So if you ever plan to replace your Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection with a third-party one, make sure to go for a tried and trusted name.
Re-Add Your Fingerprint
Since the optical scanner flashes a bright light underneath to read your fingerprints, it might not have been able to register your fine prints correctly during the setup process. So consider removing the registered fingerprint via Settings > Security and then perform a re-scan to re-add your fingerprints. Check if this gives out any favorable results or not.
Install Pending Updates
While the software upgrades might not necessarily add new features to your device, they surely optimize and improve the overall functioning of the OS as well as your device. Along the same lines, they also iron out all the bugs and issues. So make sure to download and install all pending updates via Settings > System > System Update and then verify if it ends up rectifying the issue or not.
Give AI some time!
Well, Artificial Intelligence does take some time to adapt and adjust, after all. So on continued usage of these scanners, they will ultimately learn and optimize themselves according to the use case scenario. So consider letting go of the initial hiccups for a better journey ahead!
Contact Google
If none of the aforementioned tweaks managed to work out in your favor, then you should consider contacting Google and then chalk out the best route forward. We aren’t still implying that it’s a hardware issue, it’s just that contacting the manufacture will give you a clearer picture.
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