This story was updated on November 6. Updated below.
Google is rolling out a solution for users affected by the Android 14 bug that causes storage issues on some Pixel phones.
To recap, some Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 7, and Pixel 7a users found that they were unable to access local files or their devices were stuck in boot loops and crashing.
This means that in some cases the camera app won't open or users won't be able to download anything because their device reports that its storage space is full. Google later confirmed that the issue was caused by people using multiple user profiles on the same device.
In a blog post last night on the Pixel support forums, a Google spokesperson explained that the company is currently rolling out an Android update in the next two weeks that will "get your devices working again." But for the most affected users stuck in a boot loop and unable to access their phones, Google says this update may not recover lost data.
To do this, Pixel owners may need to reset their devices, which will erase everything. People with access to their phones will need to fill out a form to receive the OTA test update.
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This was one of the Pixel phone's biggest problems. The bug was first reported on Reddit at least 26 days ago, and additional reports were posted on the Pixel support forums around the same time. Google first released an update on October 29 to prevent the bug from causing problems on additional devices and to warn Pixel users about creating additional account profiles on their phones.
After Google identified the issue, several Pixel owners contacted me to explain how the bug affected their devices. One reader told me this was “the final nail in the coffin for me and my Pixel phones.” Others complained about the lack of support and the long time it took Google to identify the problem, which severely impacted users whose phones were stuck in a constant boot loop.
“Pixel 7 with two accounts. Updated to [Android] 14 over a week ago. While I was driving, the phone got stuck in a boot loop and got stuck on the Pixel splash screen after three reboots. I had to borrow someone's phone "To message my husband, I send a text message," Pixel 7 owner Pamela told me
. Users should contact us for assistance. Did you receive an update or were you able to back up your data? Call them. Updated
November 6th. The update has already started rolling out and according to some early reports, it appears to be working. A reader, Tanya, who messaged me and couldn't save photos or upload anything, said the update fixed the bug. "I understand! Everything seems to be fine so far,” she explained. Two other people who were heavily affected by this bug and contacted me said the update fixed the problem. On Reddit, in a Google post about the issue, some users said that they had received the update and that their issues were also resolved
. Storage. On Google's support forums, the update appears to have worked for many other users, "restoring access to their previously affected files and apps, which are now working properly." For users stuck in a download loop, it's unclear
whether Google's live support service repaired their phone. But the advice to reset phones that don't run Android has left many Pixel owners unhappy, with some saying it will be the last time they buy Google. As I tell you in this article,
this is one of the biggest problems facing the Google Pixel range. It is rare for a major operating system update to fail on Android or iOS devices. If you browse the Google Pixel support forums and Reddit, you'll see some posts about issues users are having with their phones, and that's to be expected. But Google quickly released a patch outside of its planned update schedule, making it clear that this was a serious problem for the company. Is your Pixel device stuck in a boot loop after Android 14 update?Application.
