Pixel 6 owners who use multiple profiles run into problems with Android 14
If you are a proud owner of the Pixel 6 and use multiple profiles, you might be experiencing some frustrating problems with the new Android 14 update. Reports are surfacing online about locked-down storage and crashing launchers, particularly from Pixel 6, 6A, and 6 Pro users. Some users have even reported losing access to internal storage, resulting in a complete loss of data. Multiple user accounts seem to be a common denominator in these issues. Our own writer, Umar Shakir, attempted to replicate the problem on his Pixel 6A and encountered multiple crashes and UI errors when using a new account. However, switching back to the original account resolved the issues. While we reached out to Google for comment, their response remains unknown at this time.
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Pixel 6 owners experiencing issues with Android 14
Reports of problems after updating to Android 14
Some Pixel 6 users have been encountering various issues after updating their devices to the new Android 14 operating system. These issues have been reported by multiple users and are causing concerns among the Pixel 6 community.
Loss of access to internal storage
One major issue that users have been facing is the loss of access to their internal storage. After updating to Android 14, some users have found themselves unable to access their files and data, resulting in a complete loss of important information. This can be a major inconvenience and a cause for frustration for affected users.
Repeat UI launcher crashes
Another common problem that has been reported is the occurrence of repeat UI launcher crashes. Users have experienced situations where the user interface launcher crashes multiple times, disrupting the normal functionality of their devices. This can be disruptive to daily use and can significantly impact user experience.
Pattern of issues with multiple user accounts
It has been observed that these issues are more prevalent among users who have multiple user accounts set up on their Pixel 6 devices. The presence of multiple accounts seems to be a common factor among users who have encountered these problems. This pattern suggests that there might be an underlying issue related to the interaction between Android 14 and multiple user profiles.
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Details of the reported issues
Users experiencing ‘storage is full’ errors after reboot
One user reported receiving “storage is full” errors after rebooting their device following an overnight update to Android 14. This indicates that the update might be causing the system to incorrectly detect the storage as full, even when it is not, leading to unnecessary warnings and potential disruption of normal device usage.
Some users losing access to internal storage entirely
In more severe cases, some users have reported losing access to their internal storage entirely. This means that they are unable to retrieve any files or data stored on their device, resulting in a complete loss of important information. This issue can be particularly distressing for users who have not backed up their data externally.
Android 14 update launched alongside Pixel 8 devices
It is worth noting that the Android 14 update was launched alongside Google’s new Pixel 8 devices. While this update brings various UI updates and customization options, it appears to have introduced certain compatibility issues and bugs for Pixel 6 owners. It is unclear at this time if the issues are specific to Pixel 6 devices or affect other Pixel models as well.
UI updates and customization options in Android 14
Android 14 introduces several UI updates and customization options, allowing users to personalize their devices according to their preferences. While these updates and options have been well-received by many users, it seems that they have also introduced some unintended consequences, leading to the reported issues faced by Pixel 6 owners.
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Personal experience with the issues
Author’s attempt to reproduce the issue on Pixel 6A
To gain a better understanding of the reported issues, the author attempted to reproduce the problems on a Pixel 6A device. By setting up a new user account and running software updates, the author aimed to replicate the storage and UI issues that have been reported by other users.
Crashes and ‘System UI isn’t responding’ error
During the testing process, the author encountered crashes and received a “System UI isn’t responding” error message multiple times. These issues disrupted the usability of the device and highlighted the potential problems that Pixel 6 users might be experiencing after updating to Android 14.
Switching accounts resolves the issues
Interestingly, when the author switched back to the original account, the issues no longer persisted. This observation suggests that the problems might be specific to certain user accounts or profiles rather than being device-wide issues. Further investigation is needed to determine the root cause of these issues and to find effective solutions for affected users.
Author’s use of Android 14 beta
It is important to note that the author was using the Android 14 beta version during their testing. While this might explain some discrepancies between their experience and the issues reported by other users, it also raises concerns about the stability and reliability of the Android 14 update as a whole. Users who installed the official release of Android 14 on their Pixel 6 devices might encounter similar or even more severe issues.
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Contacting Google for comment
Attempts to reach out to Google
In order to obtain an official statement regarding the reported issues, efforts were made to reach out to Google for comment. It is crucial to understand the perspective of the company and their plans for addressing the problems faced by Pixel 6 owners.
Lack of response from Google
Unfortunately, as of the time of publication, Google has not responded to the inquiries made regarding the reported issues. This lack of response leaves users and the Pixel 6 community uncertain about the steps Google is taking to address and resolve the problems. It is important for Google to communicate with its users and provide timely updates to reassure affected individuals.
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Conclusion
The reported issues faced by Pixel 6 owners after updating to Android 14 have raised concerns within the community. Problems such as the loss of access to internal storage and repeat UI launcher crashes have been reported by multiple users, particularly those with multiple user accounts set up on their devices. While the Android 14 update brings exciting UI updates and customization options, it appears to have introduced compatibility issues and bugs for some Pixel 6 devices. The author’s personal experience with attempting to reproduce the issues highlights the potential disruptions and frustrations that users might be facing. Efforts to contact Google for comment have not yielded a response thus far, leaving users uncertain about the company’s plans for addressing the reported issues. It is crucial for Google to acknowledge and resolve these problems in a timely manner to ensure the best possible user experience for Pixel 6 owners.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/16/23919957/pixel-6-android-14-upgrade-bugs-multiple-user-profiles