During the installation of the January security update on Pixel 7, the download and installation steps progressed smoothly. Still, it stalled at the stage of “Optimizing your device: this may take a while.”
This issue appears to be shared among Pixel devices, with many apps being restored from a backup on a new phone. I also encountered this problem when I switched to my new Pixel and restored a backup from Google. In addition, suppose you attempt to install the OTA Android update on your Google Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro with Android 14. In that case, if it becomes stuck at “Installing Security Update: Optimizing your device, this may take a while,” then you may be experiencing this same issue.
Google’s Pixel smartphone lineup offers pure Android experiences, exceptional cameras, and reliable software updates. The latest additions to the series, the Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, have been released. These devices offer upgraded features and enhancements, including faster processors, improved cameras, larger displays, and 5G connectivity. The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro deliver impressive performance, further solidifying Google’s reputation as a leading player in the smartphone market.
How to Fix Pixel 7 stuck on optimizing your device after installing Software Update:
During the security update installation process on your new phone, the optimizing step involves the operating system recompiling all the apps on your device to detect any errors. This process is optimized to enhance your phone’s performance. Moreover, even if you use your phone while the update is in progress, it will use minimal resources, allowing you to continue using it without interruptions.
In previous operating systems, this process was done by phone when the system rebooted after the update.
Depending on the number of apps, the optimizing process can take considerable time, even several hours. Therefore, it is advisable to allow it to occur overnight. If you feel that the update has become stuck or your phone is not responding during the process, do not pause or attempt to reinstall the update.
Instead, let it continue overnight until it has installed and optimized all the apps. This may take longer if it is the first time after restoring a backup, especially if numerous apps are on your device.
If you wish to avoid this wait time, you can first download and install the security update on your Pixel 7 while setting up the phone as new (without restoring the backup). Then, after installing the latest security patch, you can factory reset the device and restore the backup from your Google Drive. It is essential to remember that restarting the device or interrupting the update process by pausing and restarting it will only prolong the process.
Manually Install the Software Update on Google Pixel 7:
If you cannot install the security update through regular means, such as encountering a problem with the update, alternative options are available. One such option is sideloading the update using the recovery menu, which involves downloading the update file and transferring it to your device. Another option is to use the Android Flash tool to install the latest security update on your Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro. For a comprehensive guide on the process, please refer to this guide.
I hope this guide has assisted you in resolving the issue of your Pixel 7 stuck on optimizing your device while installing software updates. If the problem persists, you can contact Google Support. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the guide, please contact us via social media or email.
