Google Posts Pixel and Pixel XL Factory Images and OTA Files

Ever since Google introduced the Pixel and Pixel XL, we have been wondering how the update situation would work. Would Google just push over-the-air updates as they were ready or would they treat them similarly to Nexus phones by issuing factory image and OTA .zip files. I think we now know the answer – Google is giving us the files we want. 

This afternoon, Google posted the first sets of images and OTA .zip files for the Pixel and Pixel XL. There are three builds in total, all of which are Android 7.1.0. For now, we have builds NDE63H, NDE63L, and NDE63P.

If you already own the Pixel or Pixel XL and are not running one of these builds, you can update right away with these files assuming you have not yet received the update over-the-air. NDE63P is supposed to be the newest by the way, as that’s the update that Verizon says should be rolling out to devices today.

Links:  Factory Images | OTA .zips

For instructions on how to flash factory images, hit up these instructions. For instructions on flashing OTA zip files, hit up these.

I will say that this is huge news for Pixel owners. I don’t want to suggest that we were worried about the update situation here, but Google never has said that factory images and OTA .zips would be a part of the the Pixel experience. The fact that they are is good news for tinkerers and Nexus fans, especially as we move forward without new Nexus devices.