How to Update Pixel Buds

How to know if your earbuds' firmware is updating

By
Ruben Circelli
Ruben Circelli
Ruben Circelli
Editor
  • University of Massachusetts, Boston
Ruben Circelli has been a freelance technology writer and editor since 2014. His work has appeared on dozens of sites, including Komando.com, Twinfinite, and TheGamer.
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Updated on February 20, 2022
Reviewed by
Ryan Perian
Ryan Perian headshot
Reviewed by Ryan Perian
  • Western Governors University
Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years' experience working in the IT industry support and management positions.
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What to Know

  • Updates are automatic when Buds are either paired with a Pixel running Android 10+ or an Android 6.0+ device with the Bud app installed.
  • Automatic updates can be enabled or disabled on either Pixel phones or Android 6.0+ devices with the Bud app installed.
  • The Pixel Buds A-Series can be manually updated when connected to a Pixel phone or an Android 6.0+ device with the Bud app.

This article explains how to update your Pixel Buds.

While you can use Pixel Buds as simple Bluetooth headphones, to make the most out of your Pixel Buds you'll need to use it with an Android device: Either a Pixel phone with Android 10+ or an Android device running Android 6.0+ with the Pixel Bud app installed.

How to Update Pixel Buds

By default, Pixel Buds are updated automatically and do not require any user input throughout the entire update process.

However, you can disable automatic updates, and the Pixel Buds A-Series do support manual updates.

When paired with a Bud-supporting Android device, any available firmware update will be automatically transferred to your Buds when you use your Buds with your Android device.

This process takes approximately 10 minutes, and you can continue using your Buds as normal with your Android device throughout the update process.

The downloaded update will be installed the next time your Buds, post-download, are connected to their charging case. The installation process takes approximately 10 minutes, as well.

Don't worry about interrupting the installation, because if your Buds are removed from their case during installation, the update will simply pause and resume when they're reinserted into the charging case.

How to Enable and Disable Automatic Updates

When automatic updates are disabled, you will receive a notification on your device when there is an available update. However, the update will not be downloaded or installed without your say-so.

  1. If using a Pixel phone, go to Settings > Connected device > Pixel Bud's settings.

    If using another Android device, open the Pixel Buds app.

  2. Scroll down, and select More settings, and then tap Firmware update.

    In this screen, if you choose to disable automatic updates with Pixel Buds A-Series, when an update is available, there will be a pop-up entitled Update available which you can tap and follow along with the onscreen instructions to update your Pixel Buds A-Series manually. This process takes approximately 15 minutes.

  3. Tap the onscreen toggle to turn automatic updates on or off.

FAQ
  • How do I know if my Pixel Buds received an update?

    On a Pixel or Android phone using the Pixel Buds app, Go to Settings > More Settings > Firmware update. If you don't see a message about an available upgrade, your Pixel Buds are up to date.

  • How do I update the Pixel USB-C earbuds?

    The only update to be concerned about with the Pixel USB-C earbuds is updating your Android device. Your phone will let you know when there's an available upgrade, but you can also check for an update from Settings > System > Advanced > System update.

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