Pixel owners report Android 16 lock screen issues

If you're a Google Pixel owner suddenly dealing with lock screen issues, you may not be alone in your struggles — and the problem might lie with Android 16.

Users are reporting issues with a laggy or frozen lock screen while using the new Android 16 software. Tech site 9to5 Google first spotted the apparent issue, noting that users are reporting problems on Google's forums and Reddit.

Google Pixels were the first phones to receive the update and this could prove a major (and annoying) problem as long as it persists. It seems the primary complaints from folks involve the lock screen, including that it won't wake up with a tap, the screen being slow to wake (or totally non-responsive) after hitting the power button, and weird, vast variations in brightness. Users are reporting having to force restart their phones in some cases in order to get past a non-responsive screen. Google hasn't yet acknowledged or issued a fix for the apparent issue. It's not clear how widespread the problem may be, considering all we've seen thus far is complaints on forums.

Android 16 is the latest major update to Pixel's software. It promises an overhauled look, Live Updates, and increased security features. But if the simple operation of the phone becomes much more difficult with Android 16, that could prove a major problem for users.