Android 16 Navigation Nightmare Without Exit

The joy of many Google Pixel users 'upgrading' to Android 16 quickly turned into disappointment when this major update just released caused a serious error, directly affecting the most basic user experience: navigation.

Nightmare from a "worthwhile upgrade"

Android fans will surely remember when Google announced that it had brought a worthy change for users who are still loyal to the traditional three-button navigation system. The “predictive back navigation” feature has now been expanded, making the user experience much more intuitive and less annoying than before.

However, right after installing the official Android 16 version, a series of Pixel users took to social networking forums like Reddit and X to complain about a common problem.

A series of users complained about problems with navigation on Android 16. Photo: Android Authority

The phone's core navigation suddenly 'misbehaved'. Both navigation gestures (swipe up to go home, swipe across to switch apps) and the classic three navigation buttons on the bottom edge were affected.

Users describe their phones frequently freezing or getting stuck while they’re using them. The screen doesn’t respond immediately, freezing for a few seconds before coming back to life. This makes even the simplest actions like opening an app, returning to the home screen, or switching windows frustrating.

Android 16 Navigation Nightmare Without End.

“What initially seemed like a minor issue turned out to be a major one. It hindered day-to-day use of the phone and made the whole experience feel broken,” one user shared.

Sometimes both the button and the gesture lag, with one Pixel 8 Pro user reporting that it takes over 30 seconds before things start moving again, while Pixel 9 Pro XL users are also seeing the swipe-up gesture fail.

Google remains silent

While not 100% of Pixel users are experiencing the issue — some say their devices are working perfectly — the growing number of posts reporting the issue suggests it's a widespread issue that's affecting a large percentage of users.

More worryingly, Google has yet to make any official statement on the issue, and users still have no idea if the company is working on a patch or when the issue will be fixed.

Google's silence is making many loyal users of the 'pure Android' phone line feel uneasy. In the meantime, the Pixel user community can only hope that a bug fix update will be released soon to restore the smooth experience it once had.