Google’s flagship line of smartphones always shines from a technical and critical perspective, and while it only holds a small market share in the smartphone space, Google still takes a lot of pride in its ever-improving line ofPixel devices.
TheGoogle Pixel 4was an impressive phone with some cutting-edge software features, but it was badly let down by limited battery life. TheGoogle Pixel 4 XLoffers a bit more stamina, but it doesn’t last as long as we’d like, either. But battery life isn’t the only issue that owners of both of these phones have encountered. We’ve bumped up against a few other Pixel 4 problems and uncovered some of the most commonly-reported issues from help forums. We’re not just here to complain, though — we’re also going to explain how to work around these issues or fix them when possible.
Whatever your problem, the first thing to try is a software update. verify you’re connected to Wi-Fi and take a quick look inSettings > System > Advanced > System Update,then tapCheck for Updateand install any update that’s available. Google announcedthe newest security updatein September and frequently makes updates to the security of their mobile devices.
Problem: Battery bloat causes wireless charging issues
While it’s still unclear how widespread a problem this is, and there has been no official word from Google on the issue, some Pixel 3 and 4 owners have reported issues with battery bloat. It’s not unusual for batteries on phones to swell — it’s actually a good thing, as it prevents them from catching fire and exploding. However, it’s not what you’d usually expect from a relatively new battery and device. The issue seems to have started with Pixel 3 and 3 XL ownersreporting swollen batteriesand issues with wireless charging onGoogle’s forums, followed by Pixel 4 XL owners reporting wireless charging issues onRedditand battery swelling issues onGoogle’s forums. This is definitely something to bear in mind if you’re considering picking up a Pixel phone.
Possible solutions:
Problem: Battery life is poor
Let’s just tackle it straight away: The battery life on the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL is disappointing. There’s no real fix for this, sadly. Google should have put bigger batteries in both of these phones. But there are plenty of ways to make living with it less of an issue. We don’t suggest you do all of these things, but switching off the things that you don’t value can boost that battery a lot.
But think about accessorizing first: We’re not keen on having to compromise, and we don’t like to nerf functionality, so before you read on, consider buying agood portable charger, afast charger, and a wireless charging pad for the desk and nightstand to keep your Pixel 4 topped up.
Workarounds:
Annoyance: Chrome freezing when watching video
A thread on Google’s support forums suggests some Pixel 3, 4, and 4 XL owners have reportedissues with Google Chrome freezing when watching video— an issue that seems to correct itself by locking and unlocking the phone, or even restarting the device — not an ideal solution. It looks like this has been an ongoing problem for months, but fortunately, the update to Android 11 seems to have fixed the issue for most people.
Bug: Screen attention not working
A thread on theGoogle user forumsmentions the screen attention feature isn’t working properly, and that rebooting and toggling the feature off and on makes no difference. This seems to be an on-again-off-again problem, with many Pixel 4 owners reporting an update fixed the bug, only for it to reoccur. Hopefully, Google will come up with a permanent fix soon, but in the meantime, if you’re experiencing this, there are a couple of things worth trying.
Problem: The camera app crashes
A lengthy thread on the Google Forum reveals hundreds of users complaining thatthe camera app crashes. People note that uninstalling and reinstalling doesn’t address the issue, leaving them with a very expensive piece of hardware that can’t seem to accomplish one of the main tasks set out for it.
Resetting the phone is a commonly suggested solution, and in our experience, this addressesmostconcerns. That means erasing your data, however, so use it as a last resort. On the forum, several users noted that an update fixed the issue as mysteriously as it arose. As always, your first move in the case of a problem should be to ensure that your software is up to date.
Concern: Face unlock works with eyes closed
At launch, we raised our eyebrows over how the Pixel studies your eyes. You see, someone could hold your Pixel 4 up to your sleeping face to unlock it, which seems like something of a security hole — not a crazy one, but a potential problem. Fortunately,Google released an updatethat added an option for you to specify that your eyes have to be open for face unlock to work.
Other options:
If you’re dead set against staying current (in which case, why did you buy a Pixel?), there are a few other things you can do to close the security hole:
Issue: White balance and colored lights
Thankfully, this one is unlikely to impact most people. According to aReddit post, which was picked up by a few sites, the Pixel 4 camera has an issue with colored lights where it seems to be trying to fix a shot with extreme color and ends up turning it into a different, inaccurate color. There’s also a thread at Google’ssupport forumasking for manual white balance control to be brought back. There’s no fix for this, but Google may make adjustments that roll out in future updates. Heavy emphasis here on “may” since this has been an issue for months.
Bug: Clicking sounds in video recorded in third-party apps
f you have noticed an obtrusive ticking sound in videos you upload using social media platforms like Instagram or Snapchat on your Pixel 4, you’re not alone. There’s a thread at theGoogle support forumand onReddit. People report a crackling or ticking clock noise when they record videos through an app you downloaded from an app store, but the videos they record with the Pixel 4 pre-installed cameras have no such noises. We know that it is a problem for a good portion of Pixel 4 users because of the forums popping up, but unfortunately, we have not experienced nor simulated it.
Workaround:
Potential fix:
Problem: Motion Sense doesn’t work
It can be tricky to get the hang of Motion Sense gestures. Still, if you’re having excessive issues, you might be experiencing some of the problems reported by other users, as discussed in theXDA Developers forum. It’s also important to note that Motion Sense doesn’t work everywhere — it’s currently only available in the U.S., Canada, Singapore, Australia, Taiwan, and most of Europe.
Potential fixes:
Annoyance: Smooth display isn’t on all the time
Many loyal Google users expressed some significant frustration when they learned the surprising news that Pixel 4 and 4 XL devices arenot constantlyemploying the 90Hz refreshrate. Typically, the higher refresh rate is enacted when a screen’s brightness level reaches at least 75%— the feature is designed like this to help conserve your device’s battery life. Google is aware of customers’ frustrations and has released several statements regarding a possible solution. The company says an upcoming update will boost the refresh rate for various brightness settings.
