The Android 10 update Google rolled out yesterday was expected to have all its bugs ironed out, but apparently, that’s not the case. Pixel users report that their attempts to update to the latest Android system update have kept them on the boot screen.
The Android 10 boot screen problem
The times for the boot screen hangup are anywhere from half an hour to a few hours (six, in one case), with all Pixel models affected, from the OG first-generation Pixel and Pixel XL to the Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, and even the budget-friendly Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL. A Pixel 2 XL phone user made the initial report to Google that the Android 10 boot screen stayed on for over thirty minutes. In some cases, the phone arrives at the “G” boot screen, shows a progress bar loading, then reboots again.
Essential and Xiaomi rolled out the same Android 10 update for the Essential Phone and the Redmi K20 Pro yesterday as well, so all eyes will be on those devices and whether or not their users start reporting boot screen issues.
The solution
What can users do about the Android 10 boot screen problem? Well, according to one Google representative who responded to the forum, Pixel users can restart their phone 7 times to go back to Android 9.0 Pie. “They stated that it is a known issue that is being looked into,” a Pixel Phone Help member said.
Deja Vu: Android 10 boot screen/boot loop issue has happened with other releases
The Android 10 boot screen/boot loop issue for Android 10 is frustrating no doubt, but unfortunately, it isn’t the first time that a Google smartphone has had this issue.
In 2015, Nexus 5 smartphone users reported that updating to Android 5.0.2 Lollipop resulted in boot loop, and Nexus 7 tablet users updating to Android 5.0.1 Lollipop reported the same. In August of last year, users reported sudden boot animation issues with Google’s Nexus Player. Back in July of this year, Google released the July 2019 security patch for Pixel 3 and Pixel 3a series users who were “getting stuck in boot loop.”
Android 10 update is worthwhile
Despite the Android 10 boot screen problem (or boot loop problem, as some have called it), the Android 10 update is still worth it.
Disappointingly called “Android 10” without a dessert name, Google’s next update brings features such as tighter location data sharing control, Smart Reply, Live Caption, a Dark Theme, new gesture navigation controls, Google Play system updates, a Digital Wellbeing Focus Mode, Family Link parental controls, greater notification controls, a new enterprise keyboard feature, and more.
Here’s what Pixel users can expect while they’re waiting for Google to fix the boot screen/boot loop issue.
Tighter location data sharing
Tighter location data sharing means that users no longer have to consent to an “always share” situation with apps and thus, the companies and developers behind them.
Smart Reply
Smart Reply lets you perform actions from the notification window, such as viewing an address in Google Maps or watching a YouTube video.
Live Caption
Live Caption provides on-screen reading for the hard-of-hearing (HoH) but also provides the benefit of allowing hearers to keep up with what’s on-screen when they can’t turn up the volume in quiet situations such as the library. This will ensure that Android grows into the next billion users, whether hearing impaired or not.
New Gesture Navigation Controls
New gesture navigation controls let you access routine functions with swipes as opposed to taps.
Change of “Screenery”: Android 10 brings System-Wide Dark Theme
Dark Theme is a favorite feature of the Android 10 update, saving on battery life and providing a nice visual change from all the brightness of white backgrounds.
Google Play system updates, Project Treble “In The Flesh”
Google Play system updates allow users to access needed software fixes for their Android devices without waiting for a new system update that could come months down the line. The new Google Play system updates appear to be the result of Project Treble, the plan announced by Google at I/O in 2017.
Project Treble
Project Treble was designed to improve the fragmentation situation within Android so that users can receive system updates in faster fashion. Android fragmentation is present because of OEMs that provide Android “skins” with their own software customizations atop Google’s very own “vanilla Android” experience. While these software customizations help manufacturers stand apart, they also frustrate the system update process for a number of users.
With Project Treble, Google decided to make it easier for Android devices across the board to receive faster system updates by separating the Android OS framework from the software code of chip manufacturers by way of its Vendor Interface. Google can update the OS framework without waiting for chip manufacturers, providing needed critical updates weeks and months ahead of schedule.
Security patches are all part of Android’s defense, but other software loopholes and vulnerabilities discovered after security patch releases mandate a new update. This is where Google Play system updates come in. Now, users can get updates from the Play Store as they receive regular updates from Android apps.
Are you a Pixel user that has experienced the Android 10 boot screen/boot loop issue? Have you downgraded to Android 9.0 Pie yet, or did your device deliver Android 10 without trouble?