Google has just rolled out the May Pixel Drop update, bringing a slew of bug fixes and an important warning for users who like to flash custom Android builds onto their phones.
Unlike the April Pixel Drop, which introduced the ability to share your screen with Gemini, the May Pixel Drop doesn’t feature any big new additions. However, it does come with several significant bug fixes and a cautionary note from Google.
The first fix addresses a bug that was causing microphone recording quality to degrade in certain apps. Another fix resolves a Bluetooth pairing issue with specific smartwatches. The third major fix is for secondary languages displayed in quick settings. While these may seem like minor issues, they could be major annoyances for users experiencing them.
The May Pixel Update has already started its rollout today and will continue in phases over the next week. It will be available for all Pixel phones from the Google Pixel 6 series up to the latest Google Pixel 9 series.
In addition to the bug fixes, Google has issued a warning for developers and enthusiasts who like to flash custom builds onto their devices. The May update includes a bootloader update that increments the anti-roll back version for the bootloader. This means that after flashing the May 2025 update, users won’t be able to flash and boot older Android 15 builds.
As we approach the release of Android 16, the drip of new Android 15 features is slowing down. Google is gearing up for its next big I/O event on May 20, where it will unveil details about its next mobile OS. One of the most anticipated announcements at Google I/O is the introduction of Material 3 Expressive, Google’s new UI design language that will impact both Android 16 and Google’s various apps.
Google has already provided a sneak peek into Material 3 Expressive’s design philosophy, focusing on UI elements that feel intuitive. The design emphasizes making key actions stand out and grouping similar elements together. With extensive focus testing and iteration, Google is aiming to deliver a seamless user experience. It will be interesting to see how this new design language will be implemented, especially now that Android 15 seems to be feature-complete.
