Photo: Google
Google Pixel phones are generally considered the best choices for those who want a genuine Android experience, and unsurprisingly, many see them as the perfect pick for anyone fully committed to the Google ecosystem.
In other words, if you use Android Auto in your car regularly, a Google Pixel should theoretically offer the most stable and reliable experience.
History has proved this isn’t necessarily the case, and now it looks like Google’s Pixel phones are struggling with another problem, this time also breaking down apps like Google Maps and Waze. This means your navigation apps might start malfunctioning, and it’s not because of a bad update, but due to onboard sensors apparently broken down.
This isn’t a new problem, but according to reports, it’s now plaguing the Google Pixel 5 too. Pixel 5 is Google’s latest and greatest phone, so it’s rather surprising the company hasn’t resolved the issue already.
By the looks of things, the compass, the gyroscope, and the proximity sensors are all hit by these problems, and at this point, it’s not exactly clear what’s causing the whole thing. But on the other hand, if the compass is missing in Google Maps or the map no longer adjusts according to your directions, then there’s a chance your Pixel is impacted by this sensor problem.
Interestingly, Google has reportedly included a fix in the December 2020 software update, yet the company hasn’t said a single thing about it. So right now, if you’re struggling with the same issues on a Google Pixel, the first thing you should do is to install the most recent system updates published by Google.
Those encountering GPS issues in Google Maps and Waze on a phone from a non-Google brand, just make sure the sensors are correctly calibrated. There are lots of apps in the Google Play Store that let you check how sensors work, and without a doubt, this is a good point to start should you want to determine the cause of broken navigation.
History has proved this isn’t necessarily the case, and now it looks like Google’s Pixel phones are struggling with another problem, this time also breaking down apps like Google Maps and Waze. This means your navigation apps might start malfunctioning, and it’s not because of a bad update, but due to onboard sensors apparently broken down.
This isn’t a new problem, but according to reports, it’s now plaguing the Google Pixel 5 too. Pixel 5 is Google’s latest and greatest phone, so it’s rather surprising the company hasn’t resolved the issue already.
By the looks of things, the compass, the gyroscope, and the proximity sensors are all hit by these problems, and at this point, it’s not exactly clear what’s causing the whole thing. But on the other hand, if the compass is missing in Google Maps or the map no longer adjusts according to your directions, then there’s a chance your Pixel is impacted by this sensor problem.
Interestingly, Google has reportedly included a fix in the December 2020 software update, yet the company hasn’t said a single thing about it. So right now, if you’re struggling with the same issues on a Google Pixel, the first thing you should do is to install the most recent system updates published by Google.
Those encountering GPS issues in Google Maps and Waze on a phone from a non-Google brand, just make sure the sensors are correctly calibrated. There are lots of apps in the Google Play Store that let you check how sensors work, and without a doubt, this is a good point to start should you want to determine the cause of broken navigation.
Google News