

Telstra are very particular about their network. Maybe that’s why they do have the best network around but unfortunately it means that Telstra users often receive updates later than others. So far it seems that no one in Australia, using a Telstra SIM in a Google Pixel phone has received the latest update to Android version 7.1.1.

Telstra have been caught blocking updates to Nexus phones before whether Telstra sold the phones or not. The explanation is always that they are testing it to ensure their customers receive the best experience on their network as possible. When Google announced that Telstra would be the official carrier partner in Australia for their new Pixel phones Google advised us that “the Pixel phones on Telstra will be getting updates at the same time as the phones purchased from the Google Store” although Telstra’s Director of Devices Andrew Volard said that”

Yes, We test software updates as soon as they become available to ensure they meet our performance standards. Once this is complete our partners release software updates to devices.

At the time we were unsure what this meant but now we know. Pixel phones purchased from Telstra will NOT be receiving updates at the same time as all other Pixel phones. They will receive them when Telstra say they can and not a moment before.

Fortunately, just as there was in the past, there is a very simple workaround. Remove your Telstra SIM and connect to the web using your wifi. A reader removed his Telstra SIM, inserted an old Optus SIM (which did NOT have any signal as it had no credit) and connected to the net using his Vodafone Wi-Fi hotspot and viola, OTA update for 7.1.1 arrived.

The other way to get the update is to sideload it yourself or to flash the full update, both available from Google’s repositories.



For me I certainly would not be waiting for Telstra to give this update the thumbs up. I have been running it on Telstra since the day it was released on without a single hiccup. Go and grab it yourself or just take your SIM out and experience the new goodies Google has cooked up for you.