Google Pixel owners are facing an unusual issue following the March 2024 software update. Across multiple Pixel models, including the flagship Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, users report the inability to control the haptic feedback vibration experienced when unlocking their phones with the fingerprint sensor.
Prior to the March update, users could easily toggle this vibration on or off within the device’s Settings menu. However, reports (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11) indicate that even disabling the “Vibrations and haptics” setting entirely no longer prevents the fingerprint unlock vibration. Currently, unlocking a Pixel phone with your fingerprint seems to trigger a haptic response by default, with no way to turn it off.
The issue is present on our Google Pixel 8 Pro with the latest March update and Pixel 8 on Android 14 QPR3 beta. Even with vibrations and haptics turned off in Accessibility settings, the phones still vibrate when unlocking using the fingerprint scanner. However, we could not reproduce this glitch on the Pixel 7a running Android 15 DP1, where the feature still functions as expected. Granted, this is a problem with the latest Android 14 builds, both stable and beta updates. Interestingly, some users claim the update turned off haptic feedback when unlocking their Pixel phone, which is the opposite of what others are experiencing.
User frustrations are mounting as the issue spreads across different Pixel models and seemingly only appeared after the latest update. But unfortunately, Google has yet to officially acknowledge the problem. There’s also no known workaround that has come to anyone’s rescue. So the only option for now is for affected Pixel owners to send feedback reports directly to Google. This will highlight the extent of the glitch and potentially help developers identify a fix.
While not a critical problem, the inability to customize haptic feedback can be a major inconvenience for users who find the vibration distracting or unnecessary. Hopefully, Google will address this issue promptly in a future software patch.
Hillary Keverenge
2094 Posts
Tech has been my playground for over a decade. While the Android journey began early, it truly took flight with the revolutionary Lollipop update. Since then, it's been a parade of Android devices (with a sprinkle of iOS), culminating in a mostly happy marriage with Google's smart home ecosystem. Expect insightful articles and explorations of the ever-evolving world of Android and Google products coupled with occasional rants on the Nest smart home ecosystem.
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