[Updated] Google Pixel 6 getting 'Introducing Android 12' update ahead of Android 13 leaves many confused

New updates are being added at the bottom of this story…….

Original story (published on August 16, 2022) follows:

Google Pixel smartphones are usually the first to receive new Android versions. The company’s most recent flagship phones are the Google Pixel 6 and 6 Pro.

Google also released a mid-range Pixel 6a which should receive similar software support as its more expensive siblings.

Speaking of updates, Android 13 stable is already rolling out to some users. Many have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the new OS on their smartphones.

In particular, many Google Pixel 6 and 6 Pro users have been receiving a notification about an available update for a few hours now.

Considering that Android 13 is expected to be available anytime, many thought the OTA was actually Android 13. However, confusion overtook them upon reading ‘Introducing Android 12’ in the changelog.

According to multiple reports, the latest Google Pixel 6 series OTA is bringing confusion. When many expected Android 13, they just received an update whose changelog is similar to that of the first Android 12 update.

That is, many Google Pixel 6 series users are getting an update with a changelog that says ‘Introducing Android 12’.

My Google Pixel 6 Pro that has been on Android 12 since opening just offered me to update to Android 12 instead of 13.

Hi! I am in a GP6P and running the latest version of Android 12. I was excited to get Android OS 13, so I smashed the update button a few times and it finally said an update was available!!!

Buuuut, it’s Android 12. I’m already on the latest stable 12. Ugh. Lol.
Source

Why does my recent update state that it’s gonna update to Android 12?

Does anyone else have the problem that the update that’s supposed to be to Android 13 actually says it’s gonna update to Android 12, despite it being the current version of the phone?
Source

It seems that the Google Pixel 6 and 6 Pro were receiving an OTA with a fix to multiple GPS issues reported by users in the last few weeks. However, the text in the changelog caused widespread confusion.

Interestingly, it seems that the OTA is quite big with a size of 2.02 GB, which helped to make many think that it was actually Android 13.

The new update to Android 12 today is huge!

What’s the best thing to do at this point? Do I just download and install and then hope I get 13? If I pause it can I delete the cashe? 2.02GB

Wait… Where’s 13 Google?
Source

But in the end, it’s just Android 12 with a GPS fix. The software versions in question (for EMEA zone) are the following:

• Pixel 6: SQ3A.220705.001.B2
• Pixel 6 Pro: SQ3A.220705.001.B2
• Pixel 6a: SD2A.220601.003.B1

Anyway, Android 13 stable will be available via OTA in the next few hours so you won’t have to wait much longer if you are a Google Pixel 6 series user. And if you don’t want to wait, you can also do a manual installation.

11:10 am (IST): Google has confirmed that the update is correct and it’s not an error. However, they said that the description of the update is incorrect and they’ll fix it accordingly.

Furthermore, this update is not just limited to the Pixel 6 series, it is also rolling out for Pixel 5a owners and potentially to other models too.

Featured Image: Google Store

PiunikaWeb started as purely an investigative tech journalism website with main focus on ‘breaking’ or ‘exclusive’ news. In no time, our stories got picked up by the likes of Forbes, Foxnews, Gizmodo, TechCrunch, Engadget, The Verge, Macrumors, and many others. Want to know more about us? Head here.