What you need a know
- Owners of the original Pixel Fold are having issues with their cover displays following a recent string of updates from Google.
- Users state their cover screens have become non-responsive (remain dark) once their device boots up, while others say an update forced a bootloop.
- One report says they encountered this issue after the May patch, which only offered a charging fix for every currently supported Pixel phone.
A few concerning reports have sprung up on Reddit about the O.G. Pixel Fold’s recent display issues.
Reports started gaining traction on the PixelFold subreddit throughout the week, with one user saying their “cover screen is not displaying” (via Android Headlines). They add, “For the past few months, the cover screen would randomly go black and unresponsive. Sometimes it was the inner screen instead. Always random, always fixed by a reboot, so I never stressed about it.” Things got worse this week, as the user states their first-gen Pixel Fold’s battery ran dry, forcing them to charge.
Once the phone was charged, its cover display wouldn’t illuminate. This blackout only concerns once the phone is fully booted. The user reports that starting their device brightens the cover to show the “G” logo, but nothing happens after. Another, more extensive report was highlighted by another user in this thread’s comments. This user’s issue is slightly different, but could be tied to a similar software issue. They state that following the April patch, their Pixel Fold was entrenched in a bootlop.
What’s more, they can only get their phone to start if it’s in “Tent Mode” (partially open). Their inner display will turn on as expected, but not their cover screen. Similar to the first report, the user says there is no damage on the cover display, pointing us again toward a software problem.
One user’s comment says they started getting issues in May, but says others have encountered this way back in March. Right now, it looks like contacting Google’s support is the only viable path forward if you’re experiencing this issue.
Software-level
It’s been a while since we’ve seen Pixel Fold issues so severe. There were early reports about the Pixel 9 Pro Fold that highlighted its ‘sticky scrolling‘ issues. Users had a jarring experience, as their devices would stop scrolling after they removed their finger from the display. This isn’t typically how screens work, as they’re supposed to continue rolling out, especially if there’s enough movement behind them.
It’s a bit unsettling that these issues have (sort of) been a byproduct of the May security update. There were some display issues worked on by Google this month, but none for the Fold. That original model, as well as the subsequent one, received charging fixes. Something has clearly gone awry for Google’s O.G. Fold, and users affected are forced to wait it out bitterly.
Android Central’s Take
One of the most frustrating things is when there’s an issue with no clear fix. A fix that the user can do in minutes and be done with. This issue seems like it lies within the phone’s software, which means Google needs to fix it. Users should take this up with Google’s support and offer as much information as possible. Even these Reddit reports could be good, too.
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