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The February 2020 Android Security Update for supported Pixel devices was released on February 3, 2020, and carries the February 5, 2020 security patch level. The update applies to Pixel 2, Pixel 3, Pixel 3a, and Pixel 4 families running Android 10, with different Pixel 4 builds for some regions and carriers.
Historical note: This is an archival report about Google’s February 2020 release, not a current security recommendation. As of August 18, 2026, the February 2020 patch is obsolete; a Pixel or other Android phone needs its current available security update for present-day protection.
Key takeaways
- Google began releasing the February 2020 Android Security Update for supported Pixel phones on February 3, 2020.
- The relevant Android security patch level was February 5, 2020, even though Google announced the release two days earlier.
- The update covered Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, Pixel 3a, Pixel 3a XL, Pixel 4, and Pixel 4 XL running Android 10.
- Pixel 2, 3, and 3a models used build
QQ1A.200205.002, while Pixel 4 models used regional or carrier-specific builds. - Google provided both OTA packages and factory images, but normal users should use the built-in system updater rather than manually flashing firmware.
The official Pixel Update Bulletin and the February 2020 Android Security Bulletin documented the release, its security fixes, and the affected Android components.
When was the February 2020 Android Security Update released?
The February 2020 Android Security Update began rolling out to supported Pixel devices on February 3, 2020. The corresponding security patch level was February 5, 2020. The announcement date and patch-level date were therefore different: February 3 identified when Google released the update, while February 5 identified the security fixes included in the installed software.
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Google’s general Pixel bulletin guidance said that OTA delivery could take approximately one and a half calendar weeks to reach every Google device. Release-day availability did not guarantee that every phone, carrier, or region would display the update immediately. The general Pixel bulletin guidance explains the expected OTA rollout timing.
Which Pixel phones received the February 2020 update?
The February 2020 Pixel update applied to supported Pixel phones running Android 10. Google listed the following device families:
| Pixel family | Models included | Android version described for the release |
|---|---|---|
| Pixel 2 | Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL | Android 10 |
| Pixel 3 | Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL | Android 10 |
| Pixel 3a | Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL | Android 10 |
| Pixel 4 | Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL | Android 10 |
The Google Pixel Support announcement lists the eligible models and the OTA rollout. The list does not mean that every Pixel model used one identical firmware file. Pixel 4 owners especially needed to match the build to the phone’s carrier and regional configuration.
What were the February 2020 Pixel build numbers?
The build number identified the specific firmware package, while the security patch level identified the security-update status. The February 2020 builds were:
| Device or configuration | February 2020 build | Selection warning |
|---|---|---|
| Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL | QQ1A.200205.002 |
Use only for the matching Pixel 2 model family. |
| Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL | QQ1A.200205.002 |
Use only for the matching Pixel 3 model family. |
| Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL | QQ1A.200205.002 |
Use only for the matching Pixel 3a model family. |
| Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL, global | QQ1B.200205.002 |
Not automatically interchangeable with every regional or carrier build. |
| Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL, selected Japan and Taiwan carriers | QQ1C.200205.002 |
Check the carrier and regional configuration before downloading. |
| Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL, NTT Docomo Japan | QQ1D.200205.002 |
Specific to the NTT Docomo Japan configuration identified by Google. |
These build numbers are recorded in Google’s February 2020 Pixel Support announcement. The contemporaneous release report also listed the same build distinctions in its February 2020 update coverage.
Do not choose a firmware file solely because the model name looks similar. A Pixel 4 owner in Japan or Taiwan could require a different build from a global or U.S. device, and an NTT Docomo Japan phone had its own listed build.
What security problems did the February 2020 patch address?
The Android-wide bulletin identified the most severe issue as a critical vulnerability in the System component. Under the conditions described by Google, a specially crafted transmission could potentially allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code in a privileged process. Google’s description included development or mitigation assumptions, so the bulletin should not be interpreted as proof that every device was actively exploitable.
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The separate Pixel bulletin added fixes for Qualcomm components. The listed Pixel-specific issues included:
| CVE | Component | Severity listed by Google |
|---|---|---|
CVE-2019-10572 |
Video | Moderate |
CVE-2019-10614 |
Video | Moderate |
CVE-2019-14088 |
Camera | Moderate |
CVE-2019-2301 |
Kernel | Moderate |
The Pixel security patch level covered the issues described in both the Android-wide and Pixel-specific bulletins. The Pixel bulletin was not merely a list of additional Pixel-only fixes; it accompanied the Android security fixes applicable to the release. Google’s Pixel-specific February 2020 bulletin provides the component and CVE details.
Did the February 2020 Pixel update add new features?
The principal documented purpose of the February 2020 Pixel update was security maintenance. Google did not present the release as a major Pixel Feature Drop, and the available official announcement does not provide a detailed public list of functional changes.
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How do you check for the update on a Pixel phone?
On the Android 10-era Pixel interface, the normal update path reported at the time was:
- Open Settings.
- Tap System.
- Tap Advanced.
- Tap System update.
- Tap Check for update if the phone does not automatically display the update.
- Download and install the update, then restart the phone when prompted.
This menu path reflects the Android 10 interface used for the original February 2020 release. Current Android versions may use different labels or place the updater in a different location. Use the phone’s built-in updater rather than downloading an unidentified package from a third-party site.
Before starting, keep the phone sufficiently charged, use a reliable Wi-Fi connection, and make sure the device has enough free storage. A managed, modified, or otherwise restricted device may not expose the same update controls as an unmodified consumer Pixel.
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Why might the February 2020 update not appear?
If the update did not appear on February 3, 2020, the absence of an immediate notification did not necessarily indicate a problem. OTA distribution could vary by device, carrier, and region, and Google said that delivery could take approximately one and a half calendar weeks to reach every Google device.
Check the phone’s existing software information before considering manual installation. A phone that already shows the February 5, 2020 security patch level may already contain the update even if the notification was dismissed or never appeared.
- Already updated: The security patch level may already read February 5, 2020 under a different notification or after an earlier installation.
- Unsupported software state: The phone may not be running the Android 10 configuration described by Google, or the model may not be one of the supported Pixel families.
- Carrier or regional configuration: The device may be waiting for a build matched to its carrier or region, especially in the Pixel 4 family.
- Managed or modified device: Enterprise management, a modified system, or other restrictions may affect OTA availability.
- Installation prerequisites: Low battery, insufficient storage, or an unreliable network can prevent a download or installation.
The original contemporary report described update availability as inconsistent and recommended checking manually through the system-update screen. That was a report about the rollout experience, not a general Google promise that every device would receive an OTA at the same time.
Should you manually install the February 2020 Pixel update?
Manual installation was possible because Google published both OTA packages and factory images. Manual installation was mainly useful for an advanced user who needed the update immediately or was troubleshooting an OTA failure; it was unnecessary for most owners when the built-in updater worked.
| Installation method | What it is for | Relative risk and trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in OTA updater | Installing the compatible update directly through the phone | Safest and simplest choice for most users; timing can depend on rollout conditions. |
| Manual OTA package | Applying an update to a compatible existing installation | Generally less destructive than a factory-image reinstall, but the package must match the device and current software. |
| Factory image | Reinstalling the device’s system software | More involved; flashing commonly involves bootloader procedures and may involve wiping user data. |
The official Pixel bulletin confirms that OTA and factory-image options were available. The available sources do not provide enough verified command-level detail to publish a safe, universal flashing procedure for every model, carrier, and bootloader state.
Manual flashing can introduce several failure modes:
- Downloading an image for the wrong Pixel model, region, or carrier.
- Applying an incompatible package to the phone’s existing software state.
- Unlocking the bootloader and potentially wiping user data.
- Interrupting the flashing process or losing power during installation.
- Removing or disrupting carrier-specific configuration.
- Leaving the phone unable to boot if the procedure fails.
Back up important data before any manual installation. Advanced users should use Google’s official flashing documentation current to the device and procedure rather than relying on a generic command copied from an old guide. Do not treat a Pixel 4 global image as a universal replacement for the Japan, Taiwan, or NTT Docomo builds listed above.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How do you verify that the update installed?
After installation, check the phone’s software-information screen and confirm all three identifiers: the Android version should be Android 10, the Android security update should read February 5, 2020, and the build number should match the phone’s model and configuration.
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| What to verify | Expected February 2020 result |
|---|---|
| Android version | Android 10 |
| Android security update | February 5, 2020 |
| Pixel 2, 3, or 3a build | QQ1A.200205.002 |
| Pixel 4 or 4 XL global build | QQ1B.200205.002 |
| Pixel 4 or 4 XL selected Japan/Taiwan carrier build | QQ1C.200205.002 |
| Pixel 4 or 4 XL NTT Docomo Japan build | QQ1D.200205.002 |
The security patch level is the key security-status indicator, while the build number identifies the specific firmware package. A matching February 5, 2020 patch level means the device received the vulnerabilities addressed in that release; it does not mean the device is protected against security issues disclosed after February 2020.
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Google’s Pixel bulletin points readers to its instructions for checking the security patch level. Because Android menus can change between releases, the exact location of the software-information screen may differ from the Android 10-era interface.
What does this update mean for Pixel owners now?
The February 2020 Android Security Update is historical information. A Pixel phone that was eligible in February 2020 may no longer receive security updates in 2026, and the February 5, 2020 patch should not be mistaken for a current release. Owners should check the latest security update offered for their device and Android version rather than attempting to install this obsolete build for present-day protection.
The February 2020 Android Security Bulletin applied to Android vulnerabilities generally, but the build numbers and OTA details in this article are specifically for Google Pixel devices. Other Android manufacturers used their own firmware packages and rollout schedules.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the February 2020 security patch level for Pixel phones?
The February 2020 Pixel security update used the February 5, 2020 Android security patch level. Google began releasing the update on February 3, 2020, so the release date and patch-level date were different.
Which Pixel models received the February 2020 update?
The update covered Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, Pixel 3a, Pixel 3a XL, Pixel 4, and Pixel 4 XL running Android 10. Pixel 4 devices could require different builds depending on region or carrier.
What was the February 2020 Pixel build number?
Pixel 2, Pixel 3, and Pixel 3a families used build QQ1A.200205.002. Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL used QQ1B.200205.002 globally, QQ1C.200205.002 for selected Japan and Taiwan carriers, or QQ1D.200205.002 for NTT Docomo Japan.
Was the February 2020 Pixel update a feature update?
The principal documented purpose was security maintenance, not a major Pixel Feature Drop. The available official announcement does not provide a detailed public list of functional changes, so specific battery, camera, performance, or connectivity improvements should not be assumed.
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Bottom line: Google released the February 2020 Android Security Update for supported Android 10 Pixel 2, 3, 3a, and 4 devices on February 3, 2020, with a February 5, 2020 security patch level. Most users should have installed it through Settings, verified the patch level and matching build, and avoided manual flashing unless they understood the model, carrier, regional, bootloader, and data-loss risks. The release is obsolete as of 2026.
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