Google Pixel’s Most Dangerous Bug Still Unfixed
▼ Summary
– Pixel phones have a recurring bug preventing successful 911 calls, with recent reports from Pixel 9 and 10 users.
– The issue affects major US carriers like AT&T and occurred despite users having excellent mobile network coverage.
– One Pixel 8 user experienced a 10-minute delay calling 911 without Wi-Fi, while another phone worked fine in the same location.
– Canadian operator Bell issued an emergency notice about 911 issues for Pixel 6-10 owners, but no major US carrier did.
– Google needs to prioritize fixing this persistent problem, as it uniquely affects Pixels and has serious real-world consequences.
A deeply concerning and persistent bug continues to plague Google Pixel devices, preventing users from successfully connecting to 911 emergency services. This critical failure in a fundamental phone function has been reported across multiple Pixel generations, including the latest Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 models. Despite the severe safety implications, a permanent solution from Google remains elusive, leaving owners vulnerable during potential emergencies.
Within the last day alone, numerous Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 users have voiced their frustrations on online forums. They describe repeated failures when attempting to dial 911, with the calls simply not going through. The problem appears widespread on major US carriers like AT&T, indicating a systemic issue rather than an isolated network glitch.
One particularly alarming account comes from a Pixel 8 owner who found himself in a dire situation. Despite having a strong mobile signal in his location, his phone refused to connect to emergency services for a full ten minutes. The call only succeeded after he manually enabled Wi-Fi calling, a setting that should not be a prerequisite for a life-or-death call. To confirm the problem was device-specific, he tested a different phone in the same spot, which connected to 911 instantly and without any issue.
The scope of the problem extended beyond the United States. A Canadian telecommunications provider, Bell, felt compelled to issue an emergency alert to its customers. The notice explicitly warned that owners of Pixel 6 through Pixel 10 devices might encounter difficulties when trying to contact 911. While Bell reported resolving the issue on its end, no comparable public warnings were disseminated by major US carriers. Given the gravity of the situation, this lack of proactive communication is a significant oversight.
What makes this situation particularly troubling is its recurring nature. This is not a one-time outage but a familiar and frightening pattern exclusive to the Pixel lineup. While users of other brands like iPhone or Samsung have occasionally reported similar problems, the frequency and consistency of the failures on Pixel phones are disproportionate, especially considering their smaller market share.
The repeated failure of a device to perform its most basic safety function is unacceptable. Google must treat this not as a minor software quirk but as a top-tier priority. The company needs to mobilize its resources and collaborate directly with network carriers to diagnose and eradicate the root cause of this dangerous bug. For any smartphone to falter at placing an emergency call is a profound design flaw that demands an immediate and definitive resolution.
(Source: Android Police)
