The latest Google Pixel update is breaking fingerprint scanners — but there may be a fix

News
By published

Have you tried turning it off and on again?

The camera assembly on the Google Pixel 9
(Image credit: Google)

Software updates don’t always go as smoothly as everyone hopes, and Google is no stranger to things going wrong with Pixel updates. It seems Google is in a familiar situation with the March Pixel Drop — with the update causing fingerprint scanner issues for some users.

The problem isn’t just a case of the fingerprint scanner glitching, and struggling to recognize fingerprints it previously had no issues with. Some owners have also found that the whole fingerprint scanner has been disabled after installing the update.

Various Reddit users have reported this problem happening to their Pixel devices. It sounds like the bug is a rare one, but the fact that it’s happened certainly isn't a good look for Google, especially as one Redditor said that all their banking apps needed resetting after the loss of the fingerprint scanner.

And the frustration is understandable. After you’ve gotten used to unlocking your phone and sensitive apps with biometrics, it’s quite difficult (not to mention irritating) to go back to using passcodes and patterns.

There’s more to this update than broken biometrics

The rear side of the Google Pixel 9 showing the camera and Google logo

(Image credit: Future)

This isn’t the only problem affecting the March Pixel Update, though. Pixel 7 and Pixel 8 users have reported that haptic feedback is different after installing the update. People seem to think that the feedback is now “softer” or “looser” than before, which makes it feel less precise in the process.

Naturally people aren’t all that happy about it. Not just because they don’t like change, but because the new feedback feels worse thanks to the update. It’s not clear whether this change was intentional or not.

But it’s not all bad. A user in the U.K. spotted that Satellite SOS was active after installing the feature. I saw the same welcome message after installing the March update on my Pixel 9 Pro, so I can confirm that satellite connectivity seems to be available in the U.K. now.

However I have suffered no fingerprint scanner issues, so you shouldn’t let fear of things breaking put you off updating.

Especially not when this Pixel Drop also includes updates to Pixel Studio, the ability to wirelessly connect to another Pixel device’s camera, an option to share your location in the Find My Device app and more.

More from Tom's Guide

Tom Pritchard
Tom Pritchard
UK Phones Editor

Tom is the Tom's Guide's UK Phones Editor, tackling the latest smartphone news and vocally expressing his opinions about upcoming features or changes. It's long way from his days as editor of Gizmodo UK, when pretty much everything was on the table. He’s usually found trying to squeeze another giant Lego set onto the shelf, draining very large cups of coffee, or complaining about how terrible his Smart TV is.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.