Google’s recent Pixel update addresses issues with Android’s navigation systems, specifically the three-button navigation and gesture navigation becoming unresponsive. These problems started surfacing after the release of Android 16 in June, causing frustration for users who experienced unresponsive buttons and delays on their Pixel devices.
One user reported that navigation had become “a complete mess” on their Pixel 8 Pro, with buttons failing to respond or delays of over 30 seconds. Another user mentioned having to press the back button multiple times on their Pixel 9 to get a response, while the swipe gesture to navigate back also occasionally failed to work, as noted by Android Police’s Artem Russakovskii.
Google’s patch notes acknowledge that these issues occurred under “certain conditions,” along with mentioning general stability improvements. The update also resolves a bug where a scheduled dark theme would not activate and includes a security fix for a high severity remote code execution vulnerability.
The update is currently rolling out for Pixel 6 devices and newer models, ensuring a smoother and more responsive navigation experience for users.
