While most supported Pixel devices are now enjoying the benefits of the December 2025 update, Pixel 7a owners have been left out in the cold, with no official OTA in sight. Google’s silence on the matter is loud, but a user-shared support chat may finally reveal the reason behind the puzzling exclusion: a critical Wi-Fi stability bug specific to the Pixel 7a hardware.
Our Pixel 7a unit has remained stubbornly on the November security patch, despite checking for the OTA multiple times over the past couple of days. This absence is unusual, even accounting for the phased rollout process, especially for a device well within its supported lifecycle.
Our observations align with a growing chorus of complaints from Pixel 7a users across forums and Reddit, all wondering the same thing: Where is the December 2025 update?
Adding fuel to the fire, Google’s official documentation for the December 2025 update appears to have conspicuously omitted the Pixel 7a from the list of officially supported devices receiving the new build, leaving users with zero official communication about the delay.
Alleged support chat points to a ‘critical Wi-Fi stability bug’
In the absence of an official statement from Google, a potential explanation has surfaced courtesy of screenshots shared by a user on Reddit, purporting to show a conversation with a Google support representative.
As per the screenshots, the support agent explains the reason for the Pixel 7a’s absence:
“The widely accepted reason (discussed in the beta feedback threads) is a critical Wi-Fi stability bug that was discovered late in the beta cycle, specifically affecting the Pixel 7a hardware. Google likely pulled the update at the last minute to prevent bricking Wi-Fi connection.”
Since this is a “hold” due to a specific bug and not carrier delay, users have two timelines: a mid-month patch with B2 or .A1 revision to fix this issue, or if the bug is complex, wait until the January 2026 update to bundle the December and January updates.
This unofficial explanation suggests Google made a last-minute decision to halt the December 2025 update for the Pixel 7a to prevent widespread network connectivity issues. While frustrating, it is arguably better than pushing a buggy update that could ‘brick’ the Wi-Fi functionality.
If this support chat information proves accurate, Pixel 7a owners are looking at two possible timelines for receiving the security and bug fixes that have rolled out to other Pixels:
- Mid-month patch: A hotfix build (potentially B2 or .A1 revision) could be issued in the next couple of weeks to specifically address the Wi-Fi bug.
- January update: If the bug is more deeply rooted and complex, the December patch for the Pixel 7a might be skipped entirely, with its fixes being bundled into the January 2026 security update.
While we appreciate the community’s effort in digging up this potential cause, the lack of official communication from Google regarding the Pixel 7a’s omission remains disappointing. Transparency is key, and leaving a large user base in the dark only leads to frustration and speculation.
Are you a Pixel 7a user waiting for the December 2025 update? Let us know in the comments below!
Hillary Keverenge
2468 Posts
Tech has been my playground for over a decade. While the Android journey began early, it truly took flight with the revolutionary Lollipop update. Since then, it's been a parade of Android devices (with a sprinkle of iOS), culminating in a mostly happy marriage with Google's smart home ecosystem. Expect insightful articles and explorations of the ever-evolving world of Android and Google products coupled with occasional rants on the Nest smart home ecosystem.