Chrome OS Phone Hub not working or missing issue frustrating some Chromebook owners (potential workaround inside)

Chrome OS is Google’s cloud-based system often seen on budget laptops (known as Chromebooks). It is mostly widespread among casual users and in the educational sector.

The OS provides some features that enhance the integration of the device with Android smartphones. One of these features is Phone Hub, which allows actions to be carried out between both products.

However, according to multiple reports, there are many users who cannot use the Phone Hub. Apparently, they are unable to properly connect their mobile device with the Chromebook (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10).

The reports that have emerged in recent weeks coincide in the same situation. For affected Chrome OS users, the Phone Hub feature is not working consistently, and even appears unavailable.

I’ve had phone hub for a long time, and it has barely ever worked. Specifically the hub itself. I can use smartlock to unlock the device, I can use nearby share, I can use my phone’s internet with the Chromebook in one click just fine, but the hub keeps loading forever. I turn Bluetooth on and off, rest the laptop, and it’s no use.

Today I have been trying to hook it via Bluetooth again, and I get a message on the phone that says that I can’t connect to the Chromebook because the pin or password is incorrect….
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When affected users try to use the Chrome OS Phone Hub feature, they often experience connectivity issues. So, their devices are suddenly disconnected, or cannot be connected at first.

Android smartphone integration stopped working on my Chromebook

I always had problems with this function, sometimes the chromebook disconnected from the cell phone, even if the cell was in bluetooth range, but today, when I turned on the chromebook, I unlocked the device using the smart lock, but when the chromebook was unlocked , the phone hub icon did not appear in the status bar.
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Having said the above, there is a potential workaround that reportedly helps mitigate the issue. The disconnection between devices could be caused due to having a particular Google Play Service disabled.

The issue could also come from your phone. I had problems finding my android phone because there was a google play service or setting turned off. I tried to remember which one it was but could not find it anymore.

Try connecting another android device first before you do a powerwash.
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So, if you suffer from this problem, check that all Google services on your smartphone are activated. As a last resort, you can try to hard reset the phone.

At the moment, there doesn’t seem to be an official statement or acknowledgment from the Google team. It only remains to wait for the issue to be escalated to higher instances.

Finally, if there is any new event related to these issues, we will update this article with all the pertinent information to keep you informed.

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