Pixel drop November 2025: New update brings AI features, scam detection, and more

Google on Wednesday (November 12) rolled out the much-awaited quarterly Pixel Drop update to all eligible Pixel phones worldwide.

It brings several new features, including user privacy security improvements. Up first is the Google Messages app, which Remix photo editing feature. It is powered by generative Artificial Intelligence (gen AI) Nano Banana.

With this, users can edit photos received on the Messages app. They can add fun elements, such as outfits on the subject or turn subjects into 3D figurine photos (like the one below) without moving from the Messages app.

Google Nano Banana AI tool can generate photos in multiple styles.

Additionally, Google has introduced Scam Detection. It runs on powerful AI to detect and warn the device owner of speech patterns commonly used by scammers on phone calls. It is available to Pixel 9 and newer models users in the UK, Ireland, India, Australia and Canada.

Further, in select countries such as Australia, Canada, the UK, Ireland and Japan, Google is bringing Call Notes. Call Notes uses Gemini Nano on-device to record your calls, take notes, generate a transcript and summary and provide next-steps based on the conversation, making information easily retrievable and actionable.

Scam Detection feature.

The new November 2025 update brings improved Magic Cue to deliver more timely suggestions. It is powered by Google's new privacy technology, Private AI Compute, in the cloud.

With the Pixel Drop update, Google Maps gets a new Power mode. It will consume less power to extend the battery life during navigation.

While driving with Google Maps on, the user has to just press the power button, and the app layout becomes simplified, showing only key information like the next turns. Users will still have directions for a long trip while extending their battery life up to four hours on the Pixel phone.

Google Maps gets new power mode on.

The Google Photos app also gets more personalisation features. Powered by gen AI tech, users will be able to add or remove things from the photo without leaving a trace of the object. For instance, users can remove the glasses from their face with their eyes clearly defined with no visible smudges.

User has to just open the Google Photos app, select the photo, tap 'Help me edit' and ask Photos to 'Remove person's (name) sunglasses, open my eyes, make person (name) smile and open her eyes.

Google Photos app gets 'Help me edit' feature.

Google Photos will fix the image by using other pictures of the person in the device owner's gallery that have been labelled and organised in the face groups to ensure a personalised, natural look.

The VIP feature that offers a personalised widget on the home screen for quick calls or messages will now support the emergency help feature. If the person with a VIP tag presses an emergency button on their phone, the Pixel phone owner will see a crisis badge in the Contacts widget to keep them posted on critical alerts.

VIPs will also now have a crisis badge in the Contacts widget to keep you posted on critical alerts.

Also, the notification bar will now support an AI-powered summary on the lock screen. This feature will form a summary of all the messages and email notifications on the lock screen.

Pixel phones get summary notifcation feature.

In December, Google says the Pixel will help further reduce flooding of notifications on the lockscreen by organising and silencing lower-priority notifications, saving the user from unnecessary interruptions.

Google brings ‘Wicked: For Good’ theme packs customise Pixel phones.

The new update also brings ‘Wicked: For Good’ theme packs. With this, users customise their Pixel phone with wallpapers, icons, system sounds and GIFs inspired by the movie. They can choose from three styles — For Good, Glinda and Elphaba.

List of Pixel phones eligible for the Pixel Drop November 2025 update:

Google Pixel 6, 6 Pro, 6a, Pixel 7, 7 Pro, 7a, Pixel Tablet, Pixel Fold, Pixel 8, 8 Pro, 8a, Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9a, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Pixel 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro Xl and 10 Pro Fold.

How to install the Pixel Drop November 2025 update on Pixel phones:

Step 1: Open your device's Settings app.

Step 2: Tap System and then Software Update.

Step 3: You'll find your updated status. Follow any steps on the screen.

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