A fix is finally on the way for buggy back gestures plaguing Google Pixel phones running Android 15. Google’s issue tracker recently marked the problem as resolved, with a Google team member confirming that the fix will roll out in an upcoming release. This news should come as a relief for Pixel users who have been struggling with inconsistent back gestures since updating to Android 15.

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The issue first gained attention a few months ago when Pixel 8 Pro users noticed that swiping from the right side of the screen to go back wasn’t working as expected. Some users said it took multiple attempts to register the gesture, while others found it unusable altogether. Turning off touch sensitivity or removing screen protectors helped in some cases, but these fixes didn’t work for everyone.

What started as a Pixel 8 Pro complaint soon expanded to include other Pixel models, like the Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 6a. Affected users took to Reddit to vent their frustrations. One user mentioned that they had to switch back to the three-button navigation system because the right-side swipe was so unreliable. Another noted that adjusting gesture sensitivity in settings made a slight difference but didn’t fully resolve the problem.

The situation is especially annoying because everything else about the Android 15 update seems to work well for the most part. Users initially praised the improved animations and overall snappiness of their devices but couldn’t get past the back gesture issue.

Some users speculated that the problem might be tied to Android 15’s predictive back gestures, which let apps display previews of what’s behind them when swiping back. However, it’s unclear how exactly the new feature might be responsible for not registering gestures properly.

While many users managed to find temporary workarounds, like rebooting their phones or toggling navigation settings, these weren’t permanent fixes. The good news is that Google’s acknowledgment and resolution of the issue suggest that a proper fix is on the horizon.

There’s no specific release date yet for the patch, but I’d assume that it’ll arrive with the March Feature Drop, if not the February patch. We’ll update this article once the fix goes live.

Dwayne Cubbins
1284 Posts

My fascination with Android phones began the moment I got my hands on one. Since then, I've been on a journey to decode the ever-evolving tech landscape, fueled by a passion for both the "how" and the "why." Since 2018, I've been crafting content that empowers users and demystifies the tech world. From in-depth how-to guides that unlock your phone's potential to breaking news based on original research, I strive to make tech accessible and engaging.