Pixel 5 New Things: What Your Phone Can Do Now

Your Google Pixel phone just gained five new capabilities it didn’t have last month, thanks to the latest Pixel Feature Drop. These updates include improved call screening, a new weather app, enhanced photo editing, better battery health tracking, and a faster way to share files with nearby devices. Here’s what each one does and how to use it.

What’s New in the Latest Feature Drop

Google regularly releases Feature Drops for Pixel phones, bringing new features and improvements without a full operating system upgrade. The latest drop, which began rolling out in early 2025, includes five major additions that change how you use your phone. These are not just cosmetic tweaks; they add real functionality that many users have been requesting for a long time.

• Enhanced Call Screening: The AI-powered call screening now works on more devices and can handle more complex conversations, like asking the caller to state their business and then summarizing the call in real time.
• New Weather App: A dedicated Pixel Weather app replaces the old weather widget, offering a more detailed forecast, radar maps, and a new “Nowâ€� tab that shows current conditions and severe weather alerts.
• Magic Editor Upgrades: The Magic Editor in Google Photos can now remove and replace the sky in photos, and also adjust the lighting on specific objects, not just the whole image.
• Battery Health Monitoring: A new battery health section in Settings shows the estimated percentage of your battery’s original capacity, along with a recommendation on when to replace it.
• Nearby Share Improvements: Nearby Share now works with Windows PCs and Chromebooks more seamlessly, allowing you to send files with a single click from the share sheet.

How to Use the New Features

Each new feature is easy to access, but you need to know where to look. Here’s a quick guide:

1. Call Screening: Open the Phone app, go to Settings > Call Screen, and make sure it’s enabled. When a call comes in, tap “Screen call.â€� The new version will ask the caller questions and give you a live transcript.
2. Weather App: Look for the new “Weatherâ€� app in your app drawer. If you don’t see it, update your phone to the latest software and check the Play Store for updates. The app will show you a 10-day forecast, hourly details, and a radar map.
3. Magic Editor: Open a photo in Google Photos, tap “Edit,� then “Magic Editor.� Tap on the sky to select it, then choose a new sky from the provided options. You can also tap on an object and use the “Light� slider to adjust its brightness separately.
4. Battery Health: Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health. Here you’ll see an estimate of your battery’s capacity. If it’s below 80%, the phone will suggest a replacement. This is a general guideline; actual battery life depends on usage.
5. Nearby Share: Enable Nearby Share in Quick Settings. When sharing a file, select the person’s device from the list. On a Windows PC, you’ll need to have the “Nearby Shareâ€� app installed and running.

Background: How Pixel Feature Drops Work

Pixel Feature Drops are periodic updates that Google sends to Pixel phones, usually every few months. They are separate from the monthly security patches and the annual Android version upgrades. The first Feature Drop was in December 2020, and since then, they have become a key part of the Pixel experience. They allow Google to deliver new features without waiting for a full OS release, which is why your phone can gain major new abilities just by updating.

The features are tested internally and with beta users before they roll out. The rollout is staged, so not everyone gets the update on the same day. It can take up to a week or two for all compatible devices to receive it. You can check if you have the latest update by going to Settings > System > System update.

How to Get the Update

To get these new features, you need to have the latest software update installed. Here’s how to check:

1. Open Settings on your Pixel.
2. Tap “System� and then “System update.�
3. If an update is available, tap “Download and install.�
4. Your phone will restart and install the update. Make sure you’re connected to Wi-Fi and have at least 50% battery.

If you don’t see the update, wait a few days and try again. The rollout is gradual, and it may not be available in your region yet. You can also check the Google Pixel support website for the latest information.

Common Problems and Fixes

After any major update, some users may experience issues. Here are a few common ones and how to solve them:

• Battery drains faster after update: This is normal for the first day or two as the phone re-indexes and optimizes. If it continues, restart your phone and check which apps are using the most battery in Settings > Battery.
• Weather app not showing: Make sure you’ve updated the app from the Play Store. If it’s still missing, go to Settings > Apps > See all apps, search for “Weather,â€� and enable it if it’s disabled.
• Call Screening not working: Check that you have the latest Phone app update. Also, ensure that your default phone app is the Google Phone app, not a third-party one.
• Nearby Share not finding devices: Turn off and on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and make sure both devices have Nearby Share enabled. On Windows, ensure the app is running in the background.

Comparing the New Features

These new features are not all equally useful to everyone. Here’s a quick comparison:

• Call Screening: Most useful for people who get a lot of spam calls or want to avoid distractions. It’s a game-changer for privacy.
• Weather App: A nice upgrade for weather enthusiasts. The radar map is particularly useful for planning outdoor activities.
• Magic Editor: Best for casual photographers who want to fix photos without learning complex editing software. The sky replacement is fun, but the lighting adjustment is more practical.
• Battery Health: Useful for anyone worried about battery longevity, especially if you’re planning to keep your phone for a long time.
• Nearby Share: Essential for people who frequently transfer files between their phone and computer. It’s faster than emailing files to yourself.

Costs and Availability

All these features are free to use on compatible Pixel devices. There are no hidden costs or subscriptions. The features are available on Pixel 6 and newer models, including the Pixel 6a, 7, 7a, 8, 8a, and the Pixel 9 series. Some features, like the Magic Editor, require a Google Photos account, but the basic editing is free. The battery health feature is available on all Pixel devices that support the update, but the accuracy may vary depending on the battery’s age and usage.

Safety and Privacy Considerations

When using these new features, it’s important to be aware of privacy and safety:

• Call Screening: The call transcript is processed on the device, not sent to Google, so your conversations remain private. However, the caller may be aware they are being screened, which could be off-putting to some.
• Weather App: The app uses your location to provide accurate forecasts. You can control this in Settings > Location, and you can choose to share your location only while using the app.
• Magic Editor: Photos edited with Magic Editor are stored in Google Photos, and they may be used to improve Google’s AI models. You can opt out of this in Google Photos settings.
• Battery Health: This feature only reads data from your battery’s health chip; it doesn’t transmit any data. It’s safe to use.
• Nearby Share: When sharing files, make sure you’re sending them to the right person. Nearby Share uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, so be aware of your surroundings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will these features come to older Pixel phones?

Most features are available on Pixel 6 and newer. However, some features, like the full Magic Editor sky replacement, may require a more powerful processor and might not work on older models. Google usually specifies which devices are supported in the Feature Drop announcement.

Do I need a Google One subscription for these features?

No, all the features mentioned are free. However, some advanced photo editing features in Google Photos, like Magic Eraser, are available to all users, but you may need a Google One subscription for additional storage if you save many edited photos.

Why is my battery health percentage not showing?

If you don’t see the battery health section, it might be because your phone hasn’t received the update yet, or the feature is not available on your specific model. Check for system updates and ensure you have the latest version of the Android System Intelligence app.

Can I turn off the new call screening?

Yes, you can disable call screening entirely in the Phone app settings. You can also choose to only screen calls from unknown numbers, or turn it off completely if you prefer to answer all calls.

How often do Feature Drops happen?

Google typically releases a Feature Drop every 2-3 months. They are not on a fixed schedule, but you can expect them a few times a year. Each drop may include different features, and not all features are available on all devices.

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