Questions about upgrading to Android 8.1.0 multiple times, fingerprint scanner oddity

[thecarlsoncrew]

I have two questions.

First is about updating to Android 8.1.0. I purchased my (Verizon) Pixel 2 in November. Since then, I have installed the 8.1.0 update several times. It appears to install correctly, reboot, etc. every time (and I have confirmed it by going into the settings to confirm the version is, in fact, 8.1.0), but at some point a few weeks later, I get another notification that Android 8.1.0 is ready to install all over again. What's up with this?

Second, I have noticed that using the fingerprint sensor to unlock my Pixel 2 works almost 100% of the time...if I leave an app open. However, if I lock the phone on just the homescreen of my launcher (Action Launcher 3), it only works about 25% of the time. Is there a reason for this? Is there a way to make it work 100% of the time no matter what condition exists on the phone when it is locked?

I'd appreciate any guidance anyone could provide on these questions. Thanks!

 

[toiday]

First, not sure why you keep getting the 8.1.0 updates. Could it be you're getting the monthly security update? Second, you should go back to Pixel Launcher see if the issue still exists.

 

[steelrain82]

You are getting the monthly security updates. they show up as "android 8.1.0 update".

 

[thecarlsoncrew]

Second, you should go back to Pixel Launcher see if the issue still exists.

Shoot, you're right. It works fine with Pixel Launcher and Apex. *forehead slap* I should have thought of that! Thank you!

 

[thecarlsoncrew]

You are getting the monthly security updates. they show up as "android 8.1.0 update".

Okay, that makes sense. But shouldn't there be some differentiation between the primary 8.1.0 and the monthly updates, like 8.1.1, 8.1.2, and so on? Is there any way to validate that these are just the monthly updates?

 

[TraderGary]

Settings > System > About phone

You will see that the Android version stays at 8.1.0
However you will also see that Android security patch level will show the current month.
I just updated mine and it now shows April 5, 2018.

 

[thecarlsoncrew]

Awesome, thank you very much!!!

 

[TraderGary]

Have you tried Nova Launcher?
I use Nova Launcher Prime and the fingerprint scanner works flawlessly.

 

[thecarlsoncrew]

UPDATE: It's actually not Action Launcher. I use Action Launcher's gestures to call another app (with a double-tap on the homescreen) that turns off and locks the phone. When I lock the phone using this separate app, it also disables the fingerprint scanner the next time I try to turn it on. If I let the phone timeout normally or turn off the screen with the physical hardware button, the fingerprint scanner works perfectly the next time I try to unlock the phone. Apparently Android changed their security at some point in recent months(?) that forces this behavior. There are some screen off/lock apps out there that (according to reviews) get around this, but most do not. I'm going to either switch to another screen off/lock app or try to figure out a way to do it natively with Action Launcher (without calling another app).

 

[thecarlsoncrew]

Have you tried Nova Launcher?
I use Nova Launcher Prime and the fingerprint scanner works flawlessly.

I use Nova on my tablet, and it is great. As I discovered and just posted, it's actually not the launcher that is causing the problem. Thanks again for your help!

 

[GSDer]

But shouldn't there be some differentiation between the primary 8.1.0 and the monthly updates, like 8.1.1, 8.1.2, and so on?

Dot releases (8.1.x) and minor releases (8.x) are reserved for incremental feature changes or major bug fixes; these monthly Security updates do not qualify for such versioning.

 

[thecarlsoncrew]

Dot releases (8.1.x) and minor releases (8.x) are reserved for incremental feature changes or major bug fixes; these monthly Security updates do not qualify for such versioning.

Ah, got it. Thanks!