Don't update! Android 10 is breaking sensors on Pixel phones
Android 10, the latest mobile OS from Google, just started rolling out. The platform recently hit Pixels, bringing a fancy new dark mode, a bunch of privacy-focused features, and much more to the devices. However, as it turns out, along with introducing new capabilities, Android 10 also has its "side effects". The update has broken down certain sensors/features on the Pixel phones.
Soon after Android 10 began rolling out, Pixel users started reporting cases of broken sensors - accelerometer, proximity, motion, and others - on their devices, Android Authority reported. They claimed that the hardware is not working properly, which, in turn, is messing several critical features, including the new Active Edge functionality as well as the conventional auto-rotate, auto-brightness, double-tap to wake, and lift-to-wake functions.
"When I make phone call, the screen goes dark and no swiping or pressing of the power button brings the screen back on. If the call goes to voicemail, you can's see the dial pad to respond to prompts," one user witnessing sensor issue complained.
What's even more frustrating about the issue is the fact it also plagued the fingerprint sensor of Pixels. One user claimed that they were able to add or delete fingerprints on their phone but when it came to unlocking the device with their fingerprint, the sensor didn't respond. "When I try to unlock, there's nothing. What a pain," he said in the complaint.
Further, all the complaints posted on Google Issue Tracker, XDA forum, and the Pixel Phone Help indicated that the problem may be affecting the original Pixel and Pixel 3 XL. Also, the issue is surfacing for users regardless of how they installed Android 10, which seems to indicate that the problem is, in fact, related to the update.
The problem is scary, and there is no word from Google on when it would issue a patch to deal with it. The company would obviously take note of the complaints; it's just not clear when. So, unless there's a proper fix, we'd recommend you to hold installing the update on your Pixel, at least not if you're using it as your primary device.
