Google drops Pixel 6 and 6 Pro from latest Android 17 update

If you are holding onto a Google Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro and checking your settings for the latest Android 17 QPR1 Beta 4 update, you are going to come up empty-handed. Google has officially released the new beta build, but the original Tensor-powered siblings are noticeably missing from the compatibility list.

Before you assume your phone has officially reached its software graveyard, breathe easy. This isn’t a permanent eviction. Google explicitly noted that the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro are scheduled to return in the very next beta release of the QPR1 cycle. However, while this temporary exclusion isn’t the literal end of the road, it serves as a massive wake-up call for current owners: time is running out.

The reality check for Pixel 6 and 6 Pro owners

Launched back in late 2021, the Pixel 6 series represents the oldest lineup of Google phones still actively receiving major operating system updates. Navigating the heavy waters of beta testing is a resource-intensive process, and as hardware ages, it is natural to see development cycles stall or shift strategies.

Seeing these two devices sit out a round of the Android 17 Beta program is a tangible reminder that they are approaching the twilight of their update lifespan. While they will still cross the finish line to get the stable, public version of Android 17, this development friction highlights that their hardware limits are being tested. If you are still daily-driving a standard 6 or a 6 Pro, consider this your official heads-up that it might be time to start looking at a hardware upgrade in the near future.

What’s new in Android 17 QPR1 Beta 4?

For the devices that did get the nod this time around, including the Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, and Pixel 7 Pro, the update lands as build number CP31.260522.006 (with a .A1 variant for specific models). The release bundles the May 2026 security patch alongside Google Play Services version 26.15.32. It is heavily focused on fixing several annoying system regressions and performance drops that were plaguing earlier beta testers.

Key bug fixes included:

• The disappearing mouse: Fixed a frustrating bug where the mouse pointer would go entirely invisible on external displays if a Work Profile or an application with FLAG_SECURE active was running.
• Private space crashes: Resolved an issue where launching the credential provider settings from within a Private Space would immediately crash the Settings app.
• Silent screenshots reclaimed: Corrected an audio pairing issue where screenshot capture sounds were mistakenly tied directly to the phone’s ringer volume, meaning you couldn’t take a silent screenshot without silencing incoming calls entirely.
• Camera jitter: Addressed a camera bug where video recording at 5x zoom would suffer from heavy frame drops and noticeable jitter while panning.
• Back tap reliability: Restored functionality to Back Tap gestures, which previously failed to respond on the interactive lock screen.
• Graphics and Performance:Patched a severe graphics driver regression that caused major 3D performance drops in OpenGL ES applications on newer Pixel hardware.
• Local network connectivity: Resolved a regression where Wireless ADB (Android Debug Bridge) and other local network-dependent applications were flat-out failing to establish a connection.

How to download

If you are running an eligible Pixel device (or plan to deploy it on a testbed environment) and want to skip the over-the-air wait time to flash the build manually, Google has updated the official repositories.

You can grab the relevant files directly from Android Developers using the links below: