Google Pulled Back And Then Restored The March Factory & OTA Image Of The Nexus 6

Google had started rolling out the March security patch for a bunch of supported Nexus, Pixel and Android One devices. One of the devices in the supported list was the Nexus 6. Several Nexus 6 users had reported about not being able to use services like Android Pay post the March security update.

The March security patch update seems to have infected SafetyNet. SafetyNet is an API which checks whether your device's security has been tampered with. If you have rooted your device, flashed a custom ROM or rooted your device, then the SafetyNet check will fail, which in turn will disable services like Android Pay.

Nexus 6 users, who haven't tampered with their device's security, have reported on their subreddit that they haven't been able to use Android Pay. They have also noted that they were able to use the service on the February security patch, pertaining to which one can conclude that it must be the March security patch which would have broken SafetyNet and thus Android Pay.

Google has confirmed that it is aware of this issue and has assured the Nexus 6 users that the issue will be fixed soon. In order to prevent the bugs in the March OTA from spreading, Google even took down the OTA image of the patch a few hours back. The OTA  and factory images are live once again though.

The new OTA image seems to be same as the previous one because it carries the same build number and even weighs the same as it's predecessor. Whether the OTA rollout of the March update has been halted or not still remains to be speculated upon. We hope that Google will fix the issue soon and push out an update addressing the known bugs. The only ETA we can give you for the update is - 'soon'.

Krittin Kalra

Krittin Kalra is a 20 year old Android freak. Striving for passions, chasing down his dreams and living a life without regrets is his sole mantra. A bit moody, he also does custom ROM reviews for AndroGuider. Currently pursuing his B.Tech, he aspires to follow his heart.