Pixel owners have complained about this issue for years, and Google finally did something about it, but there’s a catch

Google has fixed one of the most annoying problems with its Pixel phones: accidental screen touches. This is great news for Pixel users who dealt with unwanted screen activity for years, but there’s a problem. No one knows when the fix will actually arrive.

According to MakeUseOf, Google quietly marked the issue as “fixed” on its IssueTracker on November 29. An engineer told users to watch for future releases, but the fix wasn’t part of the December Pixel update. Users might need to wait until the next big update to get the patch.

This accidental screen problem has bothered users since at least the Pixel 6. People constantly complained about their screens turning on while the phone was in their pocket. This isn’t just annoying; it’s dangerous because it often leads to unwanted calls, sometimes even to emergency services.

Pixel phones have been missing a basic feature that most smartphones include

The problem gets worse if you wear thin clothes like gym shorts or if you get sweaty. But any pocket can trigger unwanted touches. The reason behind this mess is puzzling. Almost every major phone maker includes a feature called “pocket mode.” This software detects when the phone is covered and turns off the touchscreen to stop accidental touches.

For some reason, Pixel phones never had this basic feature. If your clothes are thin or your skin is damp, the screen senses contact and tries to dial numbers or open apps. Without pocket mode, users had to find their own solutions just to use their phones normally. Google has been making other changes to its ecosystem, including how its AI manages daily schedules.

Many people turned off the “Tap to check phone” feature. This stops touches from waking the device, even with the Always On Display active. But turning this off removes a useful feature. Plus, if you touch the fingerprint sensor by accident, the screen still wakes up.

Some users tried keeping the screen facing away from their body in their pocket. This helps prevent accidental calls but leaves the screen open to damage if you bump into something or fall. You’re swapping pocket dials for cracked screens. Others used folio cases or phone pouches, but these are bulky and inconvenient.

Now that Google has fixed this issue, those frustrating workarounds should become unnecessary. This is a big improvement. This fix might signal better things ahead. Pixel phones are excellent devices with top features, but they’ve always had serious bugs that stick around for too long.

Some users have reported for years that their alarms don’t go off. Others have had problems with calls to 911 or emergency services failing since the Pixel 6. There are also reports of Wi-Fi and signal strength issues. These bugs are frustrating because they’re inconsistent; some Pixel phones have them constantly while others work fine. 

The company has also been removing certain security protections recently, which adds to user concerns. Hopefully, fixing the accidental touch problem means Google will finally solve these other long-standing bugs too.