Google has published security maintenance bulletins for April 2021, which address a number of flaws in the Pixel mobile lineup as well as other Android devices. The Android bulletin scores the vulnerabilities from high to critical, and the vulnerabilities in the Pixel smartphones are classified mild. Additional display, networking, and device optimizations have been made to the Pixel device lineup, which includes Pixel 3 and higher. Samsung’s flagship Android smartphones have already received the April 2021 security upgrade. So here’s how to download and install Android April 2021 Security Update on the Google Pixel smartphone.
Which Pixel Devices Are Getting Security Update?
For Pixel devices with the following build numbers, the April 2021 security update is now rolling out:
| MODEL | BUILD NUMBERS |
| Pixel 3 XL | RQ2A.210405.005 |
| Pixel 3a XL | RQ2A.210405.005 |
| Pixel 4 XL | RQ2A.210405.005 |
| Pixel 4a | RQ2A.210405.005 |
| Pixel 4a 5G | RQ2A.210405.005 |
| Pixel 5 | RQ2A.210405.005 |
OTA Method to Download and Install Android April 2021 Security Update
The best and easy way is to update your device using the OTA method as this will automatically install and get your system ready in no time. By the time of writing this article, you might have already received an update notification on your phone. The majority of system upgrades and security fixes are carried out automatically. But if you have not received the notification or if you missed it by being offline, you can check it by:
- Open the Settings app on your device.
- Tap System, then Advanced, and then System Update at the bottom.
- Any steps mentioned (if any) on the device screen should be followed.
- You’ll be able to see the status of your download.
For Security Updates these steps might be a bit different:
- Open the Settings app on your mobile.
- Select Security.
- Tap Security Update to see if a security update is available.
- Tap Google Play system update to see if a Google Play system update is available.
Download and Install April 2021 Security Update
You can still manually upgrade your unlocked Pixel phone if you don’t want to use the OTA method for any reason. Just tap the relevant link below to download the factory image or OTA:
| DEVICE MODEL | LINK | LINK | NOTE |
| Google Pixel 3 | Factory Image | OTA | Also RQ2A.210405.006 (CA Carriers) |
| Google Pixel 3 XL | Factory Image | OTA | Also RQ2A.210405.006 (CA Carriers) |
| Google Pixel 3a | Factory Image | OTA | |
| Google Pixel 3a XL | Factory Image | OTA | |
| Google Pixel 4 | Factory Image | OTA | |
| Google Pixel 4 XL | Factory Image | OTA | |
| Google Pixel 4a | Factory Image | OTA | |
| Google Pixel 4a 5G | Factory Image | OTA | All carriers except Verizon |
| Google Pixel 5 | Factory Image | OTA | All carriers except Verizon |
That’s everything you need to know about how to download and install Android April 2021 Security Update on the Google Pixel smartphone. And for all the latest Tech guides, stay with us here on TechNclub.