Fix for issue that bricked the Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL, and Pixel 4a is on the way says Google
Google says that a fix to stop the issues keeping some Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL, and Pixel 4a units from working are on the way.
Fix is on the way to stop Pixel 4, 4 XL, and 4a bootloops. | Image by PhoneArena
Google had high hopes for the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL, as did Pixel fans. The Face Unlock facial recognition system used the same components as Apple's Face ID. Additionally, the Motion Sense gesture system, powered by the Soli radar chip, allowed users to dismiss a call or an alarm/timer, skip ahead or jump back a track while streaming audio or video.
The Pixel 4 series was not a hit
However, the Pixel 4 was not a hit. Poor battery life from the undersized 2800mAh cell was a major negative. Motion Sense was considered to be too much of a gimmick, the phone failed to have an ultra-wide camera lens, and at $799 it was priced like a premium iPhone or Galaxy flagship.
About 10 months after the release of the Pixel 4 series in October 2019, Google released the mid-range Pixel 4a. Instead of Face Unlock, the device had a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor and did not support Motion Sense. Priced at $349, the Pixel 4a was a much better value than the Pixel 4 series. It had a larger battery than the Pixel 4 series (3140 mAh vs. 2800 mAh). The mid-ranger also had a 3.5mm earphone jack, a feature not found on the Pixel 4 line.
The Google Issue Tracker shows the first Pixel 4a bootloop complaint went to Google a month ago. | Image by Google
While the Pixel 4a was a hit, those still using the phone in 2025 had to install a battery update to improve the performance and stability of the cell. Some Pixel 4a users ended up with reduced battery performance after the update and Google offered to make these users feel a little better by offering them a free battery replacement (not bad considering the age of the cell that was in the device at that time). Other options included $50 cash or $100 in credit for the Google Store to be used toward the purchase of a new Pixel.
Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL, and Pixel 4a all suffer from bootloops
Now, all three models are experiencing bootloops, although the Pixel 4a seems to have taken the brunt of this hit. A bootloop is a bug that prevents the phone from completely booting up, and once the boot screen is shown, instead of moving on to the next step, the cycle of starting up starts all over again.
Google says the fix will be coming this month
The Google Issue Tracker shows several Pixel 4a models suffering from the bootloops issue. Various other reports reveal that the same problem is affecting some Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL models, although not nearly as many as the Pixel 4a. Google says that a fix for this bug is coming with the July Google Play system update, which means that relief might soon be here for those suffering from this annoying issue.
One Pixel 4a user ended the bootloops issue by trying this workaround
One person was able to get his Pixel 4a running as a phone again by doing the following. First, activate Safe mode. Press and hold the power button until you see the power menu. Touch and hold either the Power off or Restart button. When the "Reboot to Safe mode prompt appears, type OK. Then do the following:
- Boot up Safe mode and disable Wi-Fi.
- Boot up your phone normally.
- If you need to use Wi-Fi, make sure Location is enabled before turning on Wi-Fi, and keep Location enabled while using Wi-Fi.
To activate Safe mode, press and hold the power button until you see the power menu. Touch and hold either the Power off or Restart button. When the "Reboot to Safe mode prompt appears, type OK.
Hello i've been having this issue about a week or so i woke up over night in the morning had to find my phone was off turned it on and i was in a bootloop issue infinite wiped my phone with everything i had on it over 80 gb of data gone also me being locked out my bank and other things that require me to use in my daily life and paying for the premium plus plan each month which i cant even use and then to have it still in a boot loop after thinking i fixed the issue with my phone im not happy with this issue ive been seeing alot of same issues the last few days seems pretty timely this happens im on a working phone and now its not and everyone has this issue all of a sudden now.
Pixel 4a user in Google Issue Tracker
It appears that the bootloop bug is limited to Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL, and Pixel 4a models with Wi-Fi enabled and location settings disabled. Google had been informed about this problem about a month ago as the first complaint in the Issue Tracker is dated June 4th.
Still, the good news is that the fix will soon be disseminated by Google and even though the affected models have long-lost Google support, they will still be able to install the update that ends this nightmare. Until then, users of the Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL, and Pixel 4a own expensive paperweights that have no use except to hold down papers.
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