Some Pixel users on T-Mobile and Google Fi yet to receive December Feature Drop

Update 12/12/24: The update is now rolling out to users on T-Mobile and other carriers. If you’re still missing the 80% charging limit, make sure to charge to 100 percent at least once after the update to turn it on.

Original article follows:

Google’s December Pixel Feature Drop arrived last week, complete with new features like enhanced camera tools, dynamic wallpapers, and interface tweaks. Yet, for some Pixel owners on select carriers, the update remains as elusive.

While Google promised the rollout would be gradual (as always), frustration is boiling over, particularly among users on T-Mobile and its affiliated networks like Mint Mobile, Tello and Google Fi. Reports of still-missing updates are piling up across forums, and users are mashing the “Check for Update” button with increasing desperation.

The finger-pointing has landed squarely on carrier compatibility. Unlike unlocked Pixels that receive updates directly from Google, carrier-locked devices are at the mercy of their networks. T-Mobile, infamous among Pixel fans for delays, seems to be the common thread this time. Before pushing updates, carriers conduct additional testing to ensure their network-specific features work seamlessly.

Unfortunately, this process doesn’t just add a day or two — it can stretch into weeks. And if you’re on an MVNO like Mint, Tello or Google Fi that uses T-Mobile’s infrastructure, you’re likely in the same boat.

Adding to the chaos, there’s speculation that this delay could also be tied to recent Pixel bugs. The December update fixes persistent issues like green tint on screen in certain conditions and improves network connection stability and performance in certain conditions. Maybe T-Mobile is taking extra time to ensure the fixes actually work — though that’s cold comfort for users waiting in limbo.

For those unwilling to sit idly by, there are a few tricks to speed things up:

• Force the update: Swap your SIM temporarily. This is a tried and tested method and in fact, some users have reported success by popping in a Verizon SIM, forcing the update, and then switching back to their original carrier.
• Manually flash the update: If you’re tech-savvy, you can sideload the update directly from Google’s official factory image page. Just remember, this process wipes your phone — so back up first.
• Patience, young Jedi: If tinkering isn’t your style, waiting is your safest option. Updates will roll out eventually, even if the wait feels like an eternity in smartphone terms.

While delays are frustrating, they underscore the complex dance between Google’s software updates and carrier networks. This isn’t just a Google problem — other Android OEMs face similar challenges with carrier-specific testing. That said, Pixel users expected a smoother ride, especially since many of them invest in Google’s ecosystem for its “pure” Android experience.

Despite the hiccup, the December Feature Drop is worth the wait. Highlights include smarter call screen, Pixel-exclusive tweaks to screenshot editing, and better integration with Google’s smart ecosystem. These perks are part of why Pixel phones have cultivated a loyal (if occasionally disgruntled) fanbase.