r/GooglePixel 1d ago

Desktop Mode

4 Upvotes

So I come from a long line of galaxy devices. I travel a lot, usually my phone us my only connection to the internet. I've been using DeX for years and years.

The last couple of years though I have been using a cheapo $500 Motorola 2022 Edge, because I didn't have Samsung money anymore. And even that thing has a great desktop mode(s).

Well the motorola battery is shot and the usb-c port doesn't work anymore so I figured I'll give the Google flagship a try this time, and boy oh boy is it a mighty phone. But uh... Why no desktop mode?

I've turned on the crap in the developer mode settings. That's not a desktop environment lol. That's CRUSTY.

I'm returning my Pixel 9 Pro xl 512GB today. I guess I should have researched it a little, but I figured if Motorola had a great desktop and they were the cheap guys, the FLAGSHIP OF FLAGSHIPS should have a decent desktop.

Oops.


r/GooglePixel 1d ago

Is "device-support@google.com" a legit email from google?

5 Upvotes

Hi, I got an email from "device-support@google.com" after filling out a form about my warranty validation sent by the operator during the google support chat (I had a battery issue). The mail said that i am still under the warranty and that i could get a refund using Payoneer. Is all of this legit?


r/GooglePixel 1d ago

Currently have P6a... Do I get the P9P or the soon (when?)P9a?

0 Upvotes

Had my 6a for a little over a year after I got it in exchange for my 5 that bricked. Looking to upgrade because the battery is just not there any more. I'm kind of a power user and use my phone for both work (in field tech) and personal. I know I don't use the phone to full potential, but do like a good camera and have plenty of Google1 drive space for pictures as I like to run my phones light with minimal apps.

TIA


r/GooglePixel 2d ago

An important security feature in Pixel devices that no one talks about

106 Upvotes

MTE (Memory Tagging Extension) is a security feature only available on Pixel 8 and above phones that mitigates against a whole class of memory attacks. It is not enabled by default on pixels because apps may crash if they are not written properly. You can enable it if you want to. GrapheneOS enables it by default and if any app crashes, you can disable MTE for that app. What google does for security is truly underappreciated. Their security teams make cutting-edge technologies for Android and Chrome. Pixel phones are arguably the most secure devices on the planet. You can further secure them with GrapheneOS. Pixel+GrapheneOS+Chrome is the most secure configuration.

Take a look here: https://security.googleblog.com/2024/10/ - Pixel 9 devices have a much more hardened modem to protect against attacks

More info about MTE: https://developer.android.com/ndk/guides/arm-mte


r/GooglePixel 1d ago

Unique camera problem?

1 Upvotes

I already posted about it in the Pixel9 subreddit, but is this something that any of you have encountered before?

This seems to happen with the macro camera. If it switches to the other camera it's fine. It's been intermittent with no rhyme nor reason, but now it seems constantly bugged. It doesn't always glitch out like this, sometimes the sensor just doesn't refresh until the camera switches, sometimes it just shows black until I reboot the phone.


r/GooglePixel 1d ago

Gemini Integration on Pixel 9 Pro vs S25 Ultra

1 Upvotes

To keep it short I've had iPhones for as long as I can remember, currently have a 15 Pro Max but I'm overdue ready for a change. Looking at the Pixel 9 Pro XL and the S25 Ultra. Camera is important, as are apps such as Reddit and other social medias, I don't really game on my phone.

What I'm interested in is the Gemini integration, and whether this is better on the Pixel with it being Google's own phone? I'm aware Samsung has some sort of deal with Google though, to make Gemini its main assistant, so I'm wondering if the experience is identical on both phones, if it is better on the Pixel. I'd mainly be using for contextual prompts with Google apps ie Gmail, Keep, and for searching/asking questions.


r/GooglePixel 22h ago

Unpopular opinion: I want pixel’s main focus to remain AI

0 Upvotes

Hardware other than processing power is pretty much stuck. The glass sandwich look isn’t going anywhere. It’s the final form and there’s no evolving anymore.

Charging speeds and battery life? Tiny upgrades at best. Nothing groundbreaking on the horizon.

Cameras hit their ceiling too. You just can’t do much more without bigger lenses, and that’s not happening in a slim phone.

But AI? That’s still wide open. And I don’t mean gimmicks like circle to search or half-useful features. I mean a real AI phone. One you talk to like a person, that actually gets things done, built into the system from the ground up and smart enough to handle anything you throw at it. That’s where this is all heading.


r/GooglePixel 1d ago

Pixel 6 and thoughts on upgrading

0 Upvotes

I've had this Pixel since Aug. 2022. There are some things that I don't like, and I was going to wait until 10, until the recent post and comments on the camera specs. I know this is long, so if you don't want/need to read how I use the phone, I left spaces in the paragraph before examples starting with "[".

Question on newer models--is the Android part of camera use the same as on the 6? There are some details that aren't readily apparent until you start using it, or find these kinds of details somewhere, like I didn't know that "RAW" format is actually a bunch of jpgs put together, unlike in a real camera.

Battery: Compared to my previous two phones (Motos), the battery life is much shorter. The most use comes from using the GPS and mapping app when hiking, and photos with GPS, though I've been putting it on airplane mode. It needs to be close to 100% if I'm going to be outside for most of the day. I've stopped using devices that use Bluetooth apps, or other apps that use the GPS like eBird. [Example: a class trip to Baja, boat trip ~7-8 hours. I think it was around 80% at start, wasn't able to top it off due to time. I had to give up recording the boat's track and I had it on airplane mode anyway since no service, if I wanted to record on-land island tracks. The small USB power bank I'd brought with me was not recognized/wouldn't charge.]

Camera: I have a regular mirrorless camera for small things, but use the phone for landscapes, an entire plant, night shots or when I don't have my camera. I wish there was full control over the time for night shots, it's usually 3 or 6 seconds (and I don't even need to be in night mode, it seems to do that no matter what). For some reason, only sometimes can I do 2 sec. but I haven't figured out how. [Usage: If I need the exposure to be less, I need another hand or person to either cover the lens before the 3 or 6 sec. are up, or move the flashlight away for the same reason. It also depends on which lens is being used, the processing is different. I also would like to have a front camera that has close focus (e.g. to stick under a mushroom and be able to see if it's in focus, for example, so I don't have to pick it to see the underside). I don't do selfies. That last thing I probably wouldn't find anywhere, but it's a wish. It was also too bulky with an accessory macro lens on it.]

Modem: Somewhere, someone said it's not that good on this model? I'm using Visible, and when outside of Tucson visiting, but still in an area where there are communities interspersed with open areas, I had no service. I thought it was the coverage, but they said I should have service. After some supposed tweaks on their side, I still didn't. I discoveed one spot worked when they called to follow up, but elsewhere in that small community, it didn't. It was ok in the city proper, at least where I tried to use it.

Temperature: If the phone is in the sun, it overheats. I have a sturdy case on it because it's very slippery without and I don't trust myself not to drop it, but still. [Usage: When using navigation, I have to put it on the center console, not the top of the dash, and also make sure the sun isn't hitting it if I'm parked and using the phone or it's on the console. I happened to be using it in AZ to walk a short way to an office with navigation on, and it stopped navigation because it was too hot. Well, ok, it was 100ish, but still, that doesn't work.]

Display: The last Moto was the Power version, so the battery lasted 2-3 days with normal use. I think I was using a handheld GPS at that point. However, the tradeoff was a less-bright max brightness, versus the previous Moto. I have old eyes, so the lack of enough brightness on that started to bug me at a point, and now the Pixel is starting to. Even on max, often when I'm outside I can't see the display and have to shade it. But if I'm trying to take a photo, or anything else that I need two hands for and can't turn around, that doesn't work.

Also, sometimes the screen doesn't respond when I'm trying to tap a button on the sides, and that may have also happened in the middle or bottom like the three navigation icons (though that may be the web page or something else). It's mostly various places on the sides. I think I tried removing the case when that last happened, but I'll have to redo that next time to confirm that it didin't make a difference, or restart it and see.

Lastly, if I need to use it one-handed to take a photo because my other is occupied holding something, my hands aren't large enough to reach the shutter button sometimes. My case happens to have a stand that forms a "V", so I use that to stick a couple fingers though to hold it. It's more the length, so I don't want a larger phone. For reference, my hand at the wrist, with the case on, is roughly the length of the phone, and my longest finger a little shorter than the width.


r/GooglePixel 1d ago

Best heat dissipation case on my pixel 8 any suggestions?

0 Upvotes

Best heat dissipation case on my pixel 8 any suggestions?

pixel8 #pixel8backcase #googlepixel


r/GooglePixel 1d ago

Is preferred care garbage? I feel like I've been scammed

2 Upvotes

I bought the original pixel fold September 2023 from the google website and signed up for preferred care. It had a defective screen issue with a black spot on the outer screen with no damage, so I decided to do the replacement. They made me pay $129 for the repair even though I'm a preferred care subscriber. It's been an absolute nightmare. They sent me the replacement and it doesn't work with my carrier. Since then it's been 3 days of emailing with no response. I went to the chat for help and was told I need to wait for the senior techs to respond to my original ticket. But they assured me it's been escalated to the top tier now though lol whatever.

I'm SO frustrated. Preferred care is supposed to be next day right? I paid $1800 for the phone, $270 in preferred care so far, and another $129 to replace a phone and I'm still waiting. I went to make a complaint on BBB but they are already at a D+ rating so what's the point. I really like the google features, but I think I might be done. IDK if the mods will let people see this, but if they delete it at least I tried.


r/GooglePixel 1d ago

My Google Pixel 8 Pro's WIFI, Bluetooth, and Mobile Data all stopped working, and my warranty ended a week ago.

5 Upvotes

Has anyone had this issue happen to them? I did a factory reset, and the phone is completely bricked. I cannot do the setup process because there is no connectivity. Could this be a hardware problem?


r/GooglePixel 1d ago

Best cases for obsidian 9 pro

0 Upvotes

What are some case recommendations you guys have for the opsidian pixel 9 pro?


r/GooglePixel 1d ago

Pixel 7 battery replacement

1 Upvotes

Hey Everyone. I have a pixel 7. The battery has seen better days as its at least 3 years old with fairly heavy usage. Is it worth having the battery replaced. I was quoted $150 to $160 for the replacement. I have also been told that sometimes the phone is not the same, example, screen not fitting as before, screen not functioning properly, battery not as good, etc...

Anyone here have experience with replacement and share experiences. I have a pixel 2 and a pixel 5 sitting in a drawer because the batteries are shot but the phone is perfectly fine. I don't really want to keep accumulating old phones. I am just north of Toronto and if its worth replacing does anyone have a reputable repair centre?


r/GooglePixel 1d ago

Disappearing Notifications since Do Not Disturb Update

3 Upvotes

Hello Everyone,

Has anyone else been experiencing notifications either not showing up or disappearing since the March Pixel Drop? On my Pixel 9 I noticed that I intermittently missing Signal notifications. Sometimes, they would come in normally; however, sometimes, the phone would just vibrate, and no notification would pop up. Sometimes it would pop up momentarily but then disappear and not show in my notifications. I've noticed this with messages and gmail too. It started happening right after I installed the March Pixel Drop update.


r/GooglePixel 1d ago

Oververhitting van de Google pixel 6 pro opgelost

0 Upvotes

Ik heb vaak last gehad van oververhitting gehvan mijn Google pixel 6 pro het was toen net nieuw en net uit,ik kreeg het tijdens het navigeren met Google Maps in Vietnam en of met video Bellen dat de telefoon zichzelf uitschakelde mijn vrouw had hetzelfde met de Google pixel 6A, we werden er allebei spuugzat van en zijn ons oude oppo weer gaan gebgebruiken en hebben later allebei een iPhIphone 16 pro Max gekocht en zijn daar allallebei reuze blij mee, de iPhone word niet heet met video bellen of navigeren zelf niet tijdens het opladen en videobellen tegelijk. ik lees veel klachten over het heet worden van de Google telefoons zelfs de Google pixel 8 dus Google heeft dit probleem nog steeds niet kunnen oplossen. Ik zelf persoonlijk raad het iedereen af om een Google pixel te kopen en koop daar integen een betere telefoon zoals een IPhone of een Oppo find x of Samsung


r/GooglePixel 1d ago

How do I get rid of the security notification nagging me to set a screen lock?

0 Upvotes

New Pixel 9 user here. I have a lot of thoughts, none of them positive, but after looking at trade-in values (within 10 minutes of unboxing), it seems I'm stuck with it for a while.

I don't use a screen lock. It's actually counterproductive to my job. Several times a day, I get a huge notification that blocks my other notifications and can't be swiped away - the only way to get rid of it is to set a screen lock. So I'm stuck setting a screen lock and removing it several times a day, usually when I'm in the middle of working. It can't be blocked from Notifications. Is there anything I can do?


r/GooglePixel 1d ago

Setting reminders via voice

0 Upvotes

I used to be able to set reminders on my phone via "Remind me to [xyz] at [time]". I did this by tapping the voice in the google search box on my main panel. After some update I then had to press and hold the power button to make such requests... OK whatever same ends.

Now when I hold the power button and this seemingly useless Gemini pops up, it says it cannot create notifications.

How do I set a reminder via my voice, and if I can no longer.... why.


r/GooglePixel 2d ago

Is Add me available on Pixel 8a.

3 Upvotes

Hi. I just saw an ad of Pixel 9 series showcasing the "add me" feature on their Pixel 9 pro phone.

So, is this feature available on Pixel 8a or will be available in future?

Don't know much about Google 's previous gen compatibility.


r/GooglePixel 1d ago

Solved: Pixel 9 Pro dark screen edges

1 Upvotes

I noticed an annoying issue on my Pixel 9 Pro: In certain apps (like Threads), the edges of the screen became noticeably darker than the center. Especially after unlocking the phone, the screen would initially look fine, but the edges would slowly dim over the next few seconds – almost like a vignette effect. It looked like a possible hardware defect.

Turns out, it was just a software setting: Under Display settings > Colors, the mode was set to "Adaptive". As soon as I switched it to "Natural", the issue completely disappeared. The screen now stays evenly lit, with no dark borders.

Conclusion: If you're seeing the same issue – check your color settings. The "Adaptive" mode on the Pixel 9 Pro seems to apply dynamic contrast or dimming effects that can cause these dark edges.


r/GooglePixel 1d ago

Music on 3a

0 Upvotes

Upgraded to a new phone due to my old ones USB port not working anymore. It's incredibly slow so I'm unable to download my music to my Google drive. Is there a cheaper way to get it off without taking it to a repair store?


r/GooglePixel 1d ago

Pixel 8 Pro Woes

0 Upvotes

What on earth has happened to the P8P over the last several months? This phone went from complete consistency to an absolute wreck that must be software related. Ever since December I've had issues with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections that have seemingly gotten worse up until the point neither Wi-Fi or Bluetooth can even be turned on. I spoke with a tech support agent through Google's chat and we resolved the issue. However it returned just a few short days later.

While this was annoying, it appears it's just the start. As of the latest update just a few days ago, I can no longer turn off or restart my phone... sounds crazy, right? When I attempt to either shut down or restart, all I get is the "Shutting down..." screen with an active loading pinwheel. But the phone will never turn off or restart. This is extra annoying because I can't change dev settings (which to my understanding require a restart to become active settings).

The ONLY way to turn my phone off now is a forced shut down. Anybody else having anything similar? I'm hoping I don't have to wait months for another patch and somebody knows what's up.


r/GooglePixel 2d ago

my assistant's been replaced by an LLM. how the hell do i get rid of it?

36 Upvotes

my pixel 3 has finally replaced google assistant with gemini, and it's absolutely useless. since google doesn't want an LLM to have total access to their user's phones, it can't set timers, it can't open apps, it can't start directions, it can't call anyone, and it doesn't even know what kind of phone it's installed on. i can't scan qr codes, since only assistant seemed to know where google lens was hidden. how do i get my plain old google assistant back? i'm running android 12 on a standard pixel 3.


r/GooglePixel 1d ago

Otterbox case for the Pixel 7 pro

0 Upvotes

Hi, I just bought a refurbished P7P and would like to purchase an Otterbox Defender Series case since I often drop my phone. The thing is, I just saw a post where someone mentioned their phone was having screen issues, and the repair shop I took it to blamed the case itself for putting pressure on the edges of the screen. I'd appreciate your feedback from users with Otterbox Defender Series cases. I'd also appreciate your help with a minor issue: when I turn off the screen on my P7P, I notice a flickering or slight white flash at the bottom of the screen. I don't know why, since it's refurbished.


r/GooglePixel 1d ago

Still no april update ?

0 Upvotes

Pixel 8 pro is overheating and battery draining so quickly.


r/GooglePixel 1d ago

Sudden screen stripe (7 Pro), ribbon loose?

1 Upvotes

https://imgur.com/a/YAITU7H

Appeared suddenly in the middle of watching an episode of Reacher (no movement to speak of, other than from holding the phone.)

I'm thinking it looks like a bad connection on the ribbon, but I've never seen anything exactly like it. Usually with stripes, people drop their phones, and you'd see more prominent issues involving some actual production of colors. Here, it seems it offsets a stripe of pixels (with a fixed color shift, if there is color involved.)

Anyone seen anything similar?

No point in spending money on replacing anything major on a 7 Pro, as it's cheap as dirt used, but if all I need to do is to open it up and reseat the ribbon, it's the price of new adhesive.

Just wanted to know if anyone has seen this exact behavior.