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All good things must come to an end. For Pixel 5a fans, the end seemingly came this month. Google launched the device back in August of 2021, and said it would offer three years of software support for it, so August 2024’s security patch for the Pixel 5a should have been the last update for the device. Only, it wasn’t, as the phone just received an update in November 2024.
For all intents and purposes, it seemed like the Pixel 5a really was done for. Google did not seed users the September 2024 or October 2024 security patches, so anyone still using the 5a could’ve believed the company was serious about that support timeline, and no more updates or patches would be on the horizon.
But as one Redditor shared, the Pixel 5a indeed received an update this month. According to the post, the update still says it’s from Aug. 5, 2024, but it comes with fixes that weren’t included in the original August patch. It also ships with a new build number: AP2A.240805.005.S4, Nov 2024.
Another Redditor in this thread shares what’s new, at least what they can see on their end:
Newer Pixel phones will get more support
The Pixel 5a launched at a time when Google was still rolling with a promised three years of software updates. That was an accepted timeline for software support for many Android devices: You’d buy a phone, knowing three years later, you’ll stop receiving updates, and perhaps update to the latest model.
With the Pixel 6, Google started offering extended security patch support. While software support would still only last three years, users would receive security patches for five years. You wouldn’t get new features, but you’d get an extra two years of protection against security vulnerabilities.
But the biggest change came last year with the Pixel 8: Going forward, Google offers seven years of guaranteed software and security support for all new Pixel phones. If that policy had been in place for the Pixel 5a, users would’ve receive software and security updates through August 2028. As it stands, the extra three months looks like all you’re going to get.