The Android 9.0 Pie update is causing problems for some Pixel and Pixel 2 users and today we want to take you through what you need to know about these Android Pie problems.
In August, Google released its brand new Android 9.0 Pie operating system. The update is available for the Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, and Pixel 2 XL. Unfortunately, it’s the end of the road for Google’s Nexus line. The Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X will stay on Android Oreo.
Android 9.0 Pie is also rolling out to the Essential Phone and should start hitting other OEMs like Sony in the near future. Android Pie updates from companies like Samsung could be weeks, if not months, away.
The Android Pie update is exciting, but like all major updates, it’s plagued with a variety of problems. Some of these issues are minor bugs, others are far more problematic.
If you’re thinking about downloading the Android Pie update when it arrives for your phone, you should be familiar with these issues before you install. This way you won’t be caught off guard.
If you’re already using the Android Pie update on your device you should be keeping an eye out for problems and reporting what you see to Google so it can improve the product in future updates.
In this guide we’ll take you through the current state of Android Pie problems, provide you with some potential fixes, show you where to find feedback about the Android Pie update, show you where to report bugs, and tell you about what’s coming next.
How to Prepare for Android Pie
It’ll be tempting to install Android Pie right when it appears for your device. However, many of you will want to do some prep work before installing the new software on your phone. A little prep can go a long way toward preventing issues.
It’s difficult to predict what you might encounter once you install Android Pie on your device. While some you will see a performance boost, others will run into performance issues and bugs. And this is precisely why you should take some steps before you install Android Pie on you device.
We’ve put together a guide that will take you through the pre-installation process we typically use before we install Android software on our Nexus and Pixel devices. It helped us get through the seemingly endless stream of new Android Oreo builds and it should help you prepare for Android Pie.
If you don’t have a lot of time to spend on the pre-installation process, just make sure your files are all properly backed up before you transition from Oreo to Pie. Data loss issues are rare, but you’ll want to make sure all of your bases are covered before you make the move.
Android Pie Problems
Google’s Developer Preview helped squash a ton of bugs and performance issues, but problems have slipped through the cracks into the final release.
Some Pixel users are running into installation issues. If you’re experiencing issues with the installation process, take a look at our guide. It’ll walk you through everything you need to know.
As we push away from the update’s release we’re also hearing about an assortment of other bugs and performance issues. The list is growing and we expect complaints about Android Pie to continue to pickup as more Pixel users download and install the update.
The current list of complaints includes:
- Bootloops
- Lockups and freezes
- Adaptive brightness issues
- Disappearing home and recent buttons
- Sound/volume problems
- Fingerprint sensor issues
- Various connectivity (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS) problems
- Bad battery life
- Abnormal Battery drain when Adaptive Battery is turned on
- Google Assistant voice match settings issues
Pixel XL users are also complaining about issues with quick chargers after the release of Android Pie. These issues were present in the Android Pie beta and they’ve carried over to the final release.
According to several Pixel XL users, they’re no longer seeing the ‘Charging rapidly’ message appear when they charge their device via a quick charger. Fortunately, Google is aware of the issue and the company says it’s already hard at work on a fix.
In a statement provided to Engadget, Google says it’s “aware of an issue where non-Power Delivery (PD) USB-C chargers no longer rapidly charge the 2016 Pixel and Pixel XL after the upgrade to Android 9 Pie.”
The company also says “the 18W rapid charger included in-box is a PD charger and does not exhibit this behavior. We are verifying a fix for non-PD USB-C chargers and will roll it out in the coming weeks.”
Be on the lookout for the fix inside of an upcoming security update (based on Android 9 Pie) for Pixel devices.
How to Fix Android Pie Problems
If you run into Android Pie issues you can’t rely on Google to fix your problems. New builds won’t come every week and the next release will probably bring its own collection of bugs.
If you see something on your phone you’ll need to be extremely proactive. Fortunately, there are a ton of resources out there.
Our broad list of fixes for the most common Android issues is a great place to start if you’re struggling on the software. We’ve also put together more specific guides to fixing Pixel and Pixel 2 issues.
Our guides will show you how to fix bad battery life, issues with Wi-Fi, problems with Bluetooth, random reboots, and many other common problems.
If you’re unable to find a fix for your problem there, and there’s no guarantee you will, you’ll want to take a look at Google’s Pixel help forum. XDA’s Pixel and Pixel 2 forums are also excellent resources.
Where to Report Problems & Find Feedback
Android Pie users, both current and prospective, should keep an eye on feedback about the update as we push away from the update’s release date.
We’re starting to see feedback about the Android Pie update emerge on social media sites like Twitter and we’re also seeing Pixel users share their thoughts about the update on sites like YouTube.
You’ll also find useful feedback emerge on Google’s Pixel Help Forums, XDA-Developers, and Android forums like Android Central Forums.
Short-term feedback is extremely useful, but you’ll also want to make sure you dig into long-term feedback from Android Pie users.
If you run into an issue on your device you’ll want to report your issue to Google. You can do so via the company’s website or via the Pixel Help Forums.
What’s Next
We haven’t heard anything about Android 9.1 yet and it could be several weeks before we do. Last year, Google released Android 8.1 Oreo in December.
The only Android updates on our radar right now are the company’s monthly security patches. These updates often deliver bug fixes and we could see Google deliver essential bug fixes in the September update.
We expect the September security update early next month. Google typically rolls its security updates out on the first Monday of each month.
If you’re dealing with issues keep your eyes out for it.
