Why can I turn off mobile internet completely with one click, but I can't turn off Wi-Fi in the same way?

Hi!

Is anyone else having the same issue after the latest update? When I try to pay with any card, the NFC doesn't activate at all, so I can't pay with my phone. I have a Pixel 9 Pro XL. This has never happened to me before.

Thanks for any info.

Patrik

I feel like I’m morally obliged to make this post because of my previous angry rant lol…but dare I say google assistant is mostly working normally again?? I’m posting this after I just (hands free) said “k google rewind the video 3 minutes"….and it actually did…instantly. Yes I was genuinely surprised. Gemini assistant got so bad that I just got used to pulling out my phone to do everything manually instead of having to deal with it. Anyways hopefully I'm not jinxing it and it stays this way.

I will say I’ve also learned to speak with extremely specific phrases it's more likely to understand, and I usually say “hey google ok google” for every prompt since it often doesn’t recognize my voice the first time and asks to unlock. I updated my voice match recently too. Also, I pasted custom instructions into gemini that I found somewhere online which supposedly make it work better (it was something along the lines of explaining it how to work like the original google assistant). So these could also be factors.

Anyways, I can’t believe I’m saying this but it’s back to working like 90% of the time. Reallly hope it stays this way. Hands free is a big part of my lifestyle between alarms, notes, tasks, texts and calls, etc. It really impacted my productivity during the transition to gemini when I had to go back to doing all of those manually.

I tried everything I can without rooting. I'm on the latest November 2026 update, but I don't see it in settings

​*(Yes, I received the system update and updated all my apps and services, yet Rambler, Icons, and Create My Widget still haven't appeared...)*

​I'd like to highlight Pause Point! This feature did show up for me in the Digital Wellbeing (beta) on my Pixel 10 Pro, and it has been an absolute game changer.

​Just applying it to YouTube and Instagram so far has really upped my awareness of my phone use. The 10-second pause is the real difference maker compared to standard app timers, which were always way too easy to bypass or adjust. Plus, the cycling mindfulness activities keep it fresh and actually pull you out of the monotony of mindless scrolling.

​I was super excited when I first heard about this feature, and I'm even more glad to finally be using it. I thought it'd be nice to start a discussion on it while we all wait for the rest of the latest Pixel Drop nice-to-haves to roll out.

​Cheers!

Long story short - had a problem with recently purchased Pixel 10 Pro Fold, was advised by Google support that it could be repaired under warranty.

First hiccup was that RMA label wouldn't generate for days. Called back to sort this out, took ages to resolve, and was again reassured that the repair would be under warranty.

Sent off to repair centre in Poland, they said repair not covered by warranty! When I got this update, I called Google support and asked for clarification and asked for my phone NOT to be sent back until a resolution is agreed. Few hours later, I get an email saying phone being sent back unrepaired. I wasn't even given a repair quote considering they deemed it to be an out-of-warranty repair, despite Google's repair website suggesting this is the procedure.

Called back support and asked to speak to a senior. He apologised and promised a resolution in 24-72hrs. 5 days later, no response. Called back AGAIN, explained everythinggggg AGAIN, and asked for another escalation.

This time got through to another supervisor (who happened to work in the same team as the first), she again promised an update/resolution in 24-72hrs. At least she followed up the call with an email so I could liaise with her directly.

However, another 5 days later still no update or resolution. When I emailed her a couple of days ago, she said the same thing that the case is being reviewed by the "specialist team". It's now been 10 days since I've received my phone back and it's all just going round in circles.

HOW ON EARTH DO I GET AN ACTUAL RESOLUTION OR SPEAK TO A MORE SENIOR MANAGER OR COMPLAINTS DEPARTMENT?!

When I open a picture on WhatsApp and zoom in, my phone will occasionally freeze and then either restart or need a forced restart. Is anyone else experiencing this?

I used a Google Pixel 8a and bought a new 8a because the charger port was wonky on the old one. The new phone will read the SIM card, but won't let me use mobile data. When I tried putting the SIM back into my older phone, it now has the same problem. Any idea what might have caused this? Thanks.

I recently decided to replace my Pixel 9 because I was having some issues with battery life and occasional random restarts. I found a brand-new, sealed Galaxy S25 Ultra with 512GB for an incredible price, so I figured it was the perfect opportunity to give Samsung another shot.

On paper, the S25 Ultra is clearly the more impressive phone. Better hardware, more cameras, a beautiful display, tons of features, and twice the storage I actually needed.

But after using it for a while, I realized something: better specs don't necessarily mean a better experience.

The first thing I missed was the Pixel's software. Everything just feels more intuitive, clean, and consistent. One UI isn't bad, but I found myself constantly changing settings, installing Good Lock modules, and trying to make the Samsung behave more like my Pixel.

Then there was the camera.

I know the S25 Ultra has an incredibly capable camera system, but I honestly preferred the photos from my Pixel 9. Samsung's processing often looked too artificial to me, especially when photographing people, pets, and everyday moments. Google's computational photography just seems to understand what I want from a picture.

I'm also an ophthalmologist, and I frequently take pictures through a slit lamp for clinical documentation. Surprisingly, I was getting better and more consistent results with my Pixel 9 than with the S25 Ultra.

Don't get me wrong. The Samsung is an amazing device, and I can absolutely understand why people love it. The zoom capabilities, display, and hardware are fantastic.

But after spending time with it, I realized that the only upgrade I genuinely appreciated was the 512GB of storage.

So I went back to my Pixel 9.

And despite its imperfections, I immediately felt more comfortable.

This experience reminded me that the best phone isn't necessarily the one with the most impressive specifications. It's the one you actually enjoy using every day.

Google definitely has things to improve, particularly battery life and reliability, but there's something about the Pixel experience that keeps bringing me back.

Anyone else tried switching from Pixel to Samsung and ended up returning?

I designed a Google Pixel Tag keyring holder and thought others might like to download and print for free.
I hope some of you find it useful

Description

A small lightweight Google Pixel tag holder with loop for attaching to keychains or anything else.

It is designed to protect the easily scratchable metal side whilst still showing G logo and speaker.

It also always easy access to battery cove and button.

https://makerworld.com/en/models/3618366-google-pixel-tag-protective-key-ring-holder-bumper#profileId-4147657

If you're under duress and someone has your phone, they could easily tell if a private space is installed by just typing private space in the app drawer. You should have the ability to create multiple private spaces that are unlocked with different codes. That way you have a dummy private space you can open under duress and keep the true one secret.

I've taken our new Pixel Tag and an existing Air Tag and packaged them up in a box, bought a USPS label, and will be shipping them back to my own home as of today. I'm currently traveling, so the post office I'm dropping them at will be a few states away from the final destination. I feel like this will give at least some halfway meaningful data as to how the two compare.

Edit please don't expect this test to be fantastically extensive. I'm just a regular person, busy as hell with raising a small family, work, and regular life, trying to satisfy my curiosity about these tracker tags. We've been Pixel users since the Pixel 1, but have maintained an iPad for using air tags during our semi-regular international travel for bag tracking and such. Been hoping for a proper Google product for many years to nullify having the iPad.

11-15: Dropped off at the post office. Ever since then, the pixel tag is not pinging off of anything since my phone last touched base with it. There has been activity with the air tag. Things will likely not start moving until Monday, so there will be no updates until then. I didn't expect anything meaningful from the dropoff because the package is literally sitting in a small town post office.

Google Lens no longer opens directly into the live camera viewfinder – it launches into the gallery/photo picker first and I have to manually switch to the live camera mode.

I tried fixing this by uninstalling the Google app updates (reverting it to the factory version) and then reinstalling the latest updates from the Play Store. This actually worked for one day. Now the behavior reverted back to opening the gallery first.

Has anyone else experienced this or found a permanent way to force Google Lens to always launch directly into the live viewfinder? Is this a bug or did I miss a setting or so?

(10a with all the latest updates)

Has anyone found a fix or workaround? I'm set for Adaptive brightness.

did they change the style of the emojis? on the keyboard they look the same as ever but when I type them out they're extra rendered akin to iOS and I hate them with my whole soul. they have an AI-generated sort of look. does anybody know if there's any way to turn them back? :( i really loved the graphical emojis, they were very cute

Whenever I turn off my cellular data, my wifi gets automatically active on my Pixel 9a device even if there is no saved broadband around my phone. I turned off all the settings like "Adaptive Connectivity" and "Automatically Wifi on" but still the same

A few weeks back the wifi and Bluetooth on my pixel 8 pro stopped working and then randomly came back online for a few days and now stopped working like before

This is incredibly irritating because I use Bluetooth literally almost every hour of the day

My question is why the sudden Bluetooth malfunction for basically everyone I know who has the phone and why would it randomly start working again out of nowhere just to fail again

If this continues I'm going to have to stop recommending these phones because this is ridiculous

I have two good Black Friday options: Samsung Galaxy S26 for 375€ + 38.7€ monthly unlimited data plan 1000Mbit, with 6 months binding (maximum legal binding period in Denmark).

Or Google Pixel 11 for 268€ + 13.3€ monthly unlimited data plan 100Mbit, with 6 months binding

Which option would you pick? I have a couple of Galaxy SmartTag2 devices and a Galaxy Fit3 watch. Without these accessories, the Pixel would be a no brainer, but with them I am not sure. Can they be used with other Android phones? What about the battery performance between these two phones? And is the 100Mbit internet enough?

I've used pixel phones for years now (Pixel 6, 7, 8) and always liked the clean Android experience, great display (esp. brightness), solid camera and price-performance ratio overall (when bought min. one year after release and looking out for offers). So I am happy and confident to replace my Pixel 8 with a Pixel 11 now.

BUT there ist one thing that annoyed me with every single Pixel phone so far:
How can I protect the phone's back against heavy matte abrasion on the glossy glas surface and the frame against ugly wear (see photos)? I defenitely do want to use a case though.
I know this is a general issue with shiny glas back sides of smartphones these days and results from dust that gathers in between the phone and case. But I am specificially interested in your experience with pixel phones and cases here.

I've used Spigen products to protect all of the pixel phones, since I felt they provide the highest quality. Their screen protectors do a great job. I had the slim and grippy Liquid Air Case for my Pixel 7 and 8. They add little thickness to the phone and are perfectly compatible with the screen protector. Unfortunately they ruin the back and frame of the phone completely over the years. And that happens even though I take the phone out of its case, clean the it both with mild cleaner and cleaning dough and rinse the case roughly every 2 weeks.

Are there any slim cases on the market that do not ruin the back and frame of my future Pixel 11 or procedures/materials to effectively avoid this? Do you have proof?

Is the inner lining in the Spigen Nano Pop case more gentle with the phone?

Happy to read your experience and recommendations and not lectures about not using a phone case at all or cleaning it twice a day.

Hi, any got the theme packages working in the new pixel 11 pro xl? Mine it says its coming but not available right now.
Any got the 3 color available under start screen/ colours /

i only got solid colors.

And it's sussing me out. Is it kinda bad or something compared to previous pixels? I've got the 6 pro and it's served me well, but why am I getting bombarded with weekly offers to cover $1300 with no trade in? Does the 11 steal my soul or something? I cannot fathom that it's not got some sort of catch for this sort of behavior.

I've been using the Pixel 10a, and honestly, I'm quite disappointed with its performance.

The phone randomly lags, gets stuck and doesn't feel as smooth as I expected. I've tried different troubleshooting methods, changed settings and even tried using it with lower graphics settings in games, but the experience hasn't improved much.

I didn't expect this kind of performance issue from a relatively new phone.

Is anyone else facing similar issues with their Pixel 10a? Or is it just my device? Would like to know if others have found a solution.

The built-in Charge screensaver seems to keep the charging ring in the same position, even at 100%.

Since it's an OLED display, could leaving it on overnight cause burn-in? Does Google use pixel shifting or other protection for this feature?

Anyone know?

Upgraded from a Pixel 8 to a cheap Pixel 9 (the P9 was cheaper than the battery + screen replacements my 8 would have needed). The straight edges and the weight are really messing with me. The increase in heft is bothering me and the straight edges make it, compared to my trusty 8, a pain in the hand. I miss the rounded edges so so bad. And the fact that it's somehow bigger than the already gigantic 8 is really messing with me too. Not sure how I'll get used to the thing.

Did anyone else experience this? If you did, did it ever start feeling normal, or did it continue to be annoying in the hand?

I got 27 days left with the thing before my return window ends.

Thanks!