Here's why sometimes a regular Google Pixel monthly update may be in GBs

Google Pixel users are scratching their heads over wildly different download sizes for monthly security updates, with the July 2025 patch being the latest example. While some are getting the expected 20-30MB patch, others are staring at downloads approaching 3GB for what should be a routine security fix.

I spotted this confusion playing out across Reddit’s r/pixel_phones community, where users are reporting dramatically different experiences with the same update. One Pixel 8 Pro owner posted about a 2.87GB download, while another with the identical device got just 20.27MB.

The size discrepancy isn’t limited to one model either. Reports show Pixel 9 Pro XL users in Australia seeing 3.13GB downloads, while others with the same device received updates under 30MB. Even older Pixel 7 Pro devices are experiencing the same pattern.

This isn’t actually a new phenomenon for Pixel devices and monthly updates. Google’s over-the-air update system can deliver the same patch in different ways depending on timing and your device’s current state. Users who jumped on the update bandwagon immediately when it started rolling out likely received the full release package. Those who checked later might have gotten the smaller incremental update instead.

When I checked my Pixel 7a much later after the update first started rolling out, I bagged the update at just 22.12MB.

The Android 15 Beta 2.2 update in 2024 showed this exact pattern. Some Pixel 8 devices received a 2.56GB download while others got just 55.78MB for the identical update. Google initially offered the larger package but later made smaller incremental updates available.

This timing factor works alongside another key element: whether your phone is fully caught up with previous updates or missing earlier patches. When a device has all recent updates installed, it only needs the incremental changes, resulting in those smaller 20-30MB downloads. However, if your Pixel missed previous security patches or is on an older build, Google bundles everything together into a full update package that can reach several gigabytes. Someone even pointed this out on the Reddit post.

Device model, region, and timing can also influence update sizes. Early adopters often receive full packages while later users get optimized patches. Some users reported the large downloads completed faster than expected, suggesting possible display bugs showing incorrect sizes.

The variation explains why your Pixel might be downloading gigabytes while your friend’s identical device gets a tiny patch. Both phones end up with the same security fixes, just delivered through different update packages.