Some Pixel Users Can't Receive Texts, Google Working On Emergency Patch
One the primary benefits to owning a Google-branded phone is that new versions of Android are made available immediately, as opposed to waiting for a third-party manufacturer to customize and qualify the code. Unfortunately for some owners of Google's first generation Pixel phones, this perk turned into sideways with the release of Android 8.0 Oreo, which seems to have busted the ability to receive text messages.
This has been an issue for affected users for nearly a month, dating back to September 20 when a frustrated Pixel XL owner on Verizon complained of the "absurd issue." The user went on to explain the troubleshooting steps he had taken, including the uninstallation of all apps that were installed before the problem arose, disabling and re-enabling Google Message, and so forth. All of it was to no avail.
Several others chimed in with similar complaints, which finally prompted a response by a Google community manager on Monday.
"Thanks for all of the reports. The team is aware of this issue and working towards a fix. Some of you have mentioned that rebooting or factory resetting the device resolved the issue. Definitely try to reboot, and if you do factory reset, make sure all of your data/info is backed up. I'll keep you all posted!," the community manager said.
We did not see any similar complaints by Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL owners, though the issue might not be specific to first generation Pixel devices. A user with a Nexus 5X (also on Verizon) said he is also unable to receive texts since applying the Android 8.0 Oreo update, as well as his co-worker who owns a Galaxy S7.
As for the factory reset, it does not seem to be a permanent fix. Some who have seen initial success with a factory reset report that the problem came back after a few days. Here is hoping Google rolls out a permanent solution soon.
This has been an issue for affected users for nearly a month, dating back to September 20 when a frustrated Pixel XL owner on Verizon complained of the "absurd issue." The user went on to explain the troubleshooting steps he had taken, including the uninstallation of all apps that were installed before the problem arose, disabling and re-enabling Google Message, and so forth. All of it was to no avail.
"Thanks for all of the reports. The team is aware of this issue and working towards a fix. Some of you have mentioned that rebooting or factory resetting the device resolved the issue. Definitely try to reboot, and if you do factory reset, make sure all of your data/info is backed up. I'll keep you all posted!," the community manager said.
We did not see any similar complaints by Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL owners, though the issue might not be specific to first generation Pixel devices. A user with a Nexus 5X (also on Verizon) said he is also unable to receive texts since applying the Android 8.0 Oreo update, as well as his co-worker who owns a Galaxy S7.
As for the factory reset, it does not seem to be a permanent fix. Some who have seen initial success with a factory reset report that the problem came back after a few days. Here is hoping Google rolls out a permanent solution soon.
