What’s New in March 2019 Android Security Update

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Published 5 Mar 2019

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Disclosure

Pixel 3 XL back

Earlier today, Google released the March 2019 security update for its Pixel and Nexus devices. While the security update is primarily aimed at fixing major security vulnerabilities discovered in Android, Google also uses it to fix and enhance some issues and bugs on the Pixel 2 and Pixel 3.

With the March security update, Google has seemingly fixed a number of complaints and issues that have been plaguing Pixel 3 owners in recent months. Most importantly, a number of Pixel 3 owners are reporting that the slowness and lag they experienced with the Camera app after the February patch is all but gone. There’s no shutter lag and the camera app is quick to open now.

Below is the Pixel-specific changes that Google has introduced with the March 2019 security update. All the changes below are applicable for Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL.

  • Improves Startup and responsiveness of Camera app

  • Improves recovery in the instance of OTA update

  • Improves storage performance on Pixel 3

  • Improves bluetooth reliability on Pixel 3 devices

  • Improves playback of encrypted media on some video apps

While not mentioned above, the update also reverts a kernel commit that negatively affected the NAND performance of the Pixel 3 and 3 XL after the February patch. Some Pixel 3 XL owners are also reporting improved RAM management post the update, though that might just be placebo.

If you were struggling to record 4K videos on your Pixel 3/XL, the March 2019 security update should fix that to a great extent.

Noticed any other change on your Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL post the March 2019 security update? Drop a comment and let us know!