Google has officially started rolling out their May Security Patch for Android 13, which includes 18 security fixes and 29 additional security issues known as Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs). Devices will receive the update via OTA update, or they can choose to manually sideload the update on their device. There are two patch levels, first on May 1 and May 5 to help other Android OEMs to incorporate with the update with security patch.
The company is rolling out the update to Google Pixel devices, which includes Google Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5, Pixel 5a, Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, and Pixel 7 Pro. The May Security patch addresses vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access to user data or take control of their device. It is advised that users update their device to the latest security patch to protect themselves against security threats.
May Security patch update to Android 13
Google’s documents for Google Device two additional security fixes that weren’t mentioned in the previous bulletin. It also has a fix for an issue that caused lock screen UI elements to overlap with the home screen interface. Google Pixel 7 Pro also receives improvements for touch screen response in certain conditions. In short, this update is a relatively small update in terms of functional improvements, but security fixes will ensure users’ privacy and security.
The update is rolling out with a build number TQ2A.230505.002 to all pixel phones globally and build TQ2A.230505.002.A1 for other devices having a slightly different release. Other Android devices will receive the update regardless of the manufacturer of the device. The May 1 Patch level includes 16 different CVEs containing patches for open-source Android components excluding the Linux Kernel patches, and the May 5 Patch Level addresses 29 vendor-specific CVEs to address the common issue that can be exploited by hackers that are specific to a particular manufacturer’s device and may not affect every other Android device.
Changelog|
The May 2023 update includes bug fixes and improvements for Pixel users – see below for details.
Touch
Improvements for touch screen response in certain conditions *[1]
User Interface
Fix for issue occasionally causing lock screen UI elements to overlap with home screen launcher interface
---------------------------------------------------------------
Device Applicability
Fixes are available for all supported Pixel devices unless otherwise indicated below.
*[1] Included on Pixel 7 ProA total of 47 CVEs, and none of these vulnerabilities were deemed critical, but some were rated as high or moderate severity.
Download Android 13 May Security Patch on Google Pixel Smartphones
Google does release the security patch every month, and the update has currently started rolling out to Pixel Smartphones, for which you can follow the following instructions mentioned below.
| Device Name | Build | Factory Image | OTA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pixel 7 Pro | TQ2A.230505.002 | Download | Download |
| Pixel 7 | TQ2A.230505.002 | Download | Download |
| Pixel 6a | TQ2A.230505.002 | Download | Download |
| Pixel 6 Pro | TQ2A.230505.002 | Download | Download |
| Pixel 6 | TQ2A.230505.002 | Download | Download |
| Pixel 5a | TQ2A.230505.002 | Download | Download |
| Pixel 5a (T-Mobile & MVNOs Google Fi (US)) | TQ2A.230505.002.A1 | Download | Download |
| Pixel 5 | TQ2A.230505.002 | Download | Download |
| Pixel 5 (T-Mobile & MVNOs, Google Fi (US)) | TQ2A.230505.002.A1 | Download | Download |
| Pixel 4a 5G | TQ2A.230505.002 | Download | Download |
| Pixel 4a 5G (T-Mobile & MVNOs, Google Fi (US)) | TQ2A.230505.002.A1 | Download | Download |
| Pixel 4a | TQ2A.230505.002 | Download | Download |
- Open Device Settings and head over to System.
- From there, tap on System Update and then tap on Check for Updates.
Carrier-locked devices will get the update later in the coming weeks. Despite the update being pushed out, Google can’t force any OEMs to roll out the device, but if you have been using the devices apart from Google like Samsung, Motorola, or anyone, then users need to wait for the update.
Until then, Google also has SafetyNet, which ensures the implementation of several safety measures to protect users from security exploits, which verifies apps that are automatically checked for all installed apps and scans for any suspicious behavior.
Google is currently running an early test for Android 14 and the June Pixel Feature update, which is prioritizing the stability of Android 13. It’s one of the major securities of the Pixel phones by fixing vulnerabilities that could potentially be exploited by hackers or malicious software.
