Google Pixel owners report that their phones keep making strange popping noises — and it's not clear how to fix it

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They're random and extremely loud

Google Pixel 10 in the hand.
(Image credit: Tom's Guide / John Velasco)

If you've heard strange audio pops from your Google Pixel 10, you may not be alone. Several reports from Pixel owners have popped on social media about this.

The sound seems to happen randomly when Pixel owners open or close apps and has been described as "extremely loud." Reports have appeared in multiple Reddit threads going back months, and possibly affects more than just the newer Pixel 10 phones.

I'm randomly getting very loud audio pops sometimes when apps are opened or closed, like the speakers are being overloaded for a split second.

Redditor Glad_Ad_523

"I'm randomly getting very loud audio pops sometimes when apps are opened or closed, like the speakers are being overloaded for a split second when applications are switched out. Is there a fix for this? Its quite concerning," wrote the Redditor Glad_Ad_523.

Several comments corroborate the original poster's reports with one saying it seemed to happen with games. A number of replies speculated that it seems to happen if audio is playing as you switch apps.

One person said they got their Pixel 10 Pro speakers replaced while it was under warranty, but that the popping remained, suggesting that it's a software issue.

Some people are claiming that it happened as far back as the Pixel 7.

Goes back years

Pixel 10 Pro XL held in hand for Astrophotography

(Image credit: Future)

It's not exactly a new issue.

We found reports of the Pixel 10 Pro popping from a month ago, and an older one from five months ago. It seems to happen a lot with the language learning app Duolingo, which does have a lot of audio cues even outside of the lessons.

I was even able to find similar reports from two, three and six years ago.

It seems to be the same issue over and over again. Some people claimed it happened even if the volume was muted or all the way down. Other than opening or closing apps, the triggers don't appear to be consistent.

Google has not officially acknowledged the issue. I reached out to the company for clarification on the popping and if a fix is in the works. As of this writing, I haven't received a response, but I'll update this article if Google returns my calls.

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Scott Younker
Scott Younker
West Coast Reporter

Scott Younker is the West Coast Reporter at Tom’s Guide. He covers all the lastest tech news. He’s been involved in tech since 2011 at various outlets and is on an ongoing hunt to build the easiest to use home media system. When not writing about the latest devices, you are more than welcome to discuss board games or disc golf with him. He also handles all the Connections coverage on Tom's Guide and has been playing the addictive NYT game since it released.

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