Google just gave Pixel owners 50 reasons to update their smartphone — don’t sleep on these patches

Google Pixel 8 shown held in hand
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

If you own a Pixel smartphone, you’re going to want to install the latest updates as soon as possible because Google has just fixed 50 security flaws—including one that’s being used by hackers in their attacks as a zero-day.

As reported by BleepingComputer, the search giant released these fixes as part of its June Pixel updates. Of the 50 vulnerabilities patched, seven are rated critical and 24 have a high severity rating. 

The most concerning flaw (tracked as CVE-2024-32896) is an elevation of privilege (EoP) vulnerability in the Pixel firmware. In this month’s Pixel Update Bulletin post, Google revealed that there are indications that this particular vulnerability “may be under limited, targeted exploitation.”

Unfortunately though, we probably won’t learn how this flaw has been weaponized by hackers until after enough Pixel owners have had a chance to update their devices. Even then, Google, Apple and other phone makers rarely provide details on zero-days as they don’t want to make things easier for hackers.

One of the things that makes Google’s Pixel devices among the best Android phones is that in addition to the regular updates that other phones receive, they also get separate security and bug fixes due to their exclusive features, like Guided Frame, Audio Magic Editor and Best Take.

How to keep your Pixel phone safe from hackers

A hand holding a phone securely logging in

(Image credit: Google)

Just like with your other devices, the easiest and best way to keep your Pixel phone safe from hackers is to keep it regularly updated by installing new software and patches as soon as they become available.

To update your Pixel phone, head to Settings then Security & privacy and tap on System & updates. Here, you’ll want to scroll down to Security update and tap Install. Once you restart your phone, the latest updates will be applied.

Besides installing the latest patches, you also want to make sure that Google Play Protect is enabled on your Pixel phone. This free and pre-installed antivirus app from Google scans all of your existing apps and any new ones you download for malware. For additional protection though, you might also want to consider running one of the best Android antivirus apps alongside it as many of them come with useful security extras like a VPN.

50 security flaws may sound like a lot, but by finding and patching them Google is ensuring that both you and your Pixel phone are safe from hackers.

More from Tom's Guide

Anthony Spadafora
Managing Editor Security and Home Office

Anthony Spadafora is the managing editor for security and home office furniture at Tom’s Guide where he covers everything from data breaches to password managers and the best way to cover your whole home or business with Wi-Fi. He also reviews standing desks, office chairs and other home office accessories with a penchant for building desk setups. Before joining the team, Anthony wrote for ITProPortal while living in Korea and later for TechRadar Pro after moving back to the US. Based in Houston, Texas, when he’s not writing Anthony can be found tinkering with PCs and game consoles, managing cables and upgrading his smart home. 

Read more
Google Pixel 9 held in the hand.
Google just fixed a zero-day kernel flaw used by hackers and 47 other vulnerabilities — update your Android phone right now
Android 12
Google March Android Security Update fixes two high severity vulnerabilities — update now
iPhone 16 Pro shown held in hand
Apple just patched its first zero-day flaw of the year — update your iPhone and Mac right now
Apple iPhone 16 held in the hand.
iOS 18.3.1 — update your iPhone right now to fix critical zero-day vulnerability
Windows
240 million Windows 10 users are vulnerable to six different hacker exploits — protect yourself now
Apple iPhone 16 Plus Review.
Apple just released an emergency security update for a flaw used in an ‘extremely sophisticated attack’ — update your devices right now
Latest in Google Phones
Google Pixel 9 with Amazon Spring Sale deal tag
The Google Pixel 9 is at its lowest price ever for Amazon Spring Sale — 30% off now
back of Iris Pixel 9a
The Google Pixel 9a is lacking one of the Pixel 9’s best safety features — here’s what we know
Google Pixel 9a with thumbs up and thumbs down icons
Google Pixel 9a — 5 reasons to buy and 3 reasons to skip
Pixel 9 Pro XL held in the hand with price drop badge.
Not a typo! This epic deal makes the flagship Pixel 9 Pro XL the same price as the budget Pixel 9a
Google Pixel 9a hands-on.
Pixel 9a’s on-device AI isn’t as good as the Pixel 9 — here’s what’s different
Google Pixel 9 Pro deal
Forget Pixel 9a — get the Google Pixel 9 Pro for $250 off at Best Buy right now
Latest in News
Disney Plus logo
Disney Plus upgrade just fixed one of my biggest problems with the home page
Tom Hiddleston as Robert Laing in "High Rise" now streaming on Netflix
5 best Netflix movies in March you haven't watched yet
iPhone 16 with Apple Intelligence logo for iOS 18.1
iOS 18.4: All the newest Apple Intelligence features coming to your iPhone
Maria Debska in "Just One Look" now streaming on Netflix
3 best Netflix shows in March you haven't watched yet
Split image featuring the Galaxy S25 Edge (left) and Galaxy S25 Ultra (right)
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge just tipped for two Galaxy S25 Ultra-level features
Wolfenstein: The Old Blood
Amazon is giving away a ton of free games for its Big Spring Sale — here’s how to claim yours