January 2026 Pixel update widely re-rolling out (huge 3.3GB file) after false start

After a rocky initial release and a subsequent pause, Google appears to be widely rolling out the January 2026 update once again to Pixel 10 and other eligible devices. The rollout comes approximately two weeks after the software first debuted, bringing relief to users who saw the original update mysteriously vanish from their settings.

Google announced the January Pixel update earlier this month, promising a suite of bug fixes and security patches. Of particular note, the release brought major display, GPU, and touch improvements for Pixel 10 devices, aiming to refine the experience on Google’s latest flagship. However, the update controversially skipped Pixel 6 and Pixel 7, leaving owners of those older handsets in the dark.

The initial rollout did not go smoothly. Almost immediately, reports emerged from Pixel 10 owners stating that they were seeing OTA notifications disappear before they could install the update. While Google remained silent at the time, it became increasingly clear that the company had pulled the update due to critical bugs. Users who managed to install the early version faced reported Wi-Fi and Bluetooth issues, alongside other stability problems.

Now, it appears Google has addressed these show-stopping bugs. Reports confirm that the January 2026 update is finally rolling out again to Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and other users who had been left in limbo since the release two weeks ago.

Notably, users are seeing a massive file size for this OTA. Reports on Reddit indicate the update weighs in at approximately 3.3GB for the Pixel 10 Pro. This unusually large size suggests Google is pushing a full system image rather than a standard incremental “delta” update, likely to overwrite any corrupted partitions or software “mutations” that caused the initial installation failures and connectivity bugs.

Owners of other devices, such as the Pixel 8 Pro on T-Mobile, are also reporting the arrival of the update after weeks of silence. Early feedback from those who have installed this 3.3GB patch is positive, with some confirming no Wi-Fi and Bluetooth issues.

Google Play system update discrepancy

While the firmware situation is stabilizing, the Google Play system update remains inconsistent. Some users already got the January 2026 Google Play system update, while a significant portion of owners are still stuck on the November 2025 build despite running the latest Android 16 build. There seems to be no clear pattern as to which devices are receiving the newer Play system patch, but you can check manually by navigating to Settings > Security & privacy > System & updates > Google Play system update.

If you own a Pixel 10 or older device and haven’t updated yet, head to your system settings to check for the OTA. Given the file size, ensure you are on a stable Wi-Fi connection before downloading.

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