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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The September 2026 Pixel Drop is officially rolling out.
- It brings a faster way to call and message contacts.
- The update is available to Pixel 6 and newer devices.
The September 2026 Pixel Drop is officially rolling out, and while it’s not a huge update, it does bring a potentially very useful tool to your home screen. This is separate from the September Android Drop, which introduced a new way to keep track of important items and a new motion sickness feature.
Also: The best Google phones: How does the Pixel 10 Pro Fold stack up?
Here’s a look at what’s new.
An easier way to message or call your regular contacts
The most useful update, and the one I’m most excited about, makes it a lot easier to call or message your most used contacts.
In June 2025, Google debuted Pixel VIPs, a widget that stored important contacts for easy access. The process still involved multiple taps, though, as you had to tap a contact inside the VIP widget to access that profile card, then tap a second time to call or message that person. I had VIP contacts saved, but I rarely used them because the process wasn’t much shorter than using the regular method.
Also: iPhone Duo vs. Pixel 11 Pro Fold: I’ve used both, and it’s not open and shut
The widget is staying, but the September update adds 1-tap direct call and text buttons right on the home screen card.
Google says the widget itself supports up to 16 contacts, but early reports indicate that if you add more than 4, it reverts to the old layout to save space.
New scam protection for text messages
Google is also expanding Scam Detection, a feature that already listens to your calls to keep you safe from scams. Soon, your Pixel phone will keep an eye on what you type across messaging apps. If you start to respond to a suspicious message, you’ll get a “Likely scam” warning over your keyboard.
You may have noticed a “Likely scam” flag on a text message before, but this month’s update expands that feature’s reach and adds protection directly in Gboard. This processing happens on device and in real-time, Google says, so your conversations stay private.
Also: A week with the Google Pixel 11 changed my mind about Gemini (for the better)
This update will be available on Pixel 6 and newer phones. If you don’t already have it, you should soon. You’ll get a notification once it’s available for your device.
