Android 10 update seemingly breaks Wi-Fi on the Google Pixel 2

By Christian de Looper Published November 21, 2019

The launch of Apple’s iOS 13 may have been a pretty buggy release, but it looks like the launch of Android 10 wasn’t perfect either. According to new reports, Android 10 is breaking the Google Pixel 2’s ability to connect to Wi-Fi.

A Google support thread notes that hundreds of Pixel 2 users are experiencing Wi-Fi issues after having updated to Android 10 — and the only way to resolve the issue seems to be factory resetting it. Some users claim that their device connects to a Wi-Fi network but can’t actually access the internet, while others suggest that Wi-Fi connections seemingly randomly drop. Interestingly, it seems like there is a range of Wi-Fi issues on the Pixel 2 after updating, instead of one issue that affects everyone.

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The thread notes that while Google has yet to issue a fix for the problem, some have been able to get replacement devices running Android 9. Of course, that’s not really a permanent solution, as Google will want Pixel 2 users to be able to use the latest and greatest version of Android.

Thankfully, not all Pixel 2 users seem to be experiencing the issues. Android Authority notes that its Pixel 2 seems to be connecting fine to Wi-Fi after the Android 10 update. As such, it’s currently not known exactly why the issue is only affecting some customers.

It’s likely that Google will eventually release a patch for the issue — though a timeline for that patch is currently unknown.

The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL have suffered from other issues too, and some of them are also related to Wi-Fi. Users on Reddit have noted Wi-Fi dropouts on the Pixel 2 since launch, and while there’s no official fix, some have noted that restarting their phone helped. Others suggest that a recent software issue helped, so if you’re experiencing issues, it’s worth checking to make sure your device has the latest software update. To do that, head to Settings > System > System Update.

Generally speaking, Android 10 has been pretty well-received. The new operating system brings a systemwide Dark Mode to compatible devices, along with new gesture controls, personalized themes, and more. To see if your phone is compatible with Android 10, check out our full list of devices.

Christian de Looper

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Christian de Looper is a long-time freelance writer who has covered every facet of the consumer tech and electric vehicle…

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Android 16 brings a blind fingerprint unlock perk to Pixel phones

Enabling off screen fingerprint unlock feature in Android 16.

Google is currently moving full steam ahead with the development of Android 16. Following the release of a third beta update just over a week ago, Android 16 has reached the platform stability milestone. Though the latest test build is light on feature updates, it brings a cool new trick.
On Pixel smartphones, users can now unlock their phone even if the screen is completely dark. First spotted by the folks over at Android Authority, the new “Screen-off Fingerprint Unlock” feature has been integrated within the phone’s Security & Privacy dashboard.
So far, Pixel smartphone users had to wake up the screen and put their thumb atop the fingerprint sensor icon on the Lock Screen. This had to be done either by waking up the screen with a tap gesture, or by pressing the power button.
Thanks to the new screen-off unlock convenience, users can simply place their thumb atop the in-display fingerprint sensor and get past the Lock Screen. There is no longer an intermittent hassle of lighting up the screen.

I was able to enable this feature after installing the Android 16 Beta 3.1 build, which runs atop the March 2025 security update, on a Pixel 8 smartphone. The new feature is a thoughtful convenience and works flawlessly.
It does, however, take a bit of muscle memory to land the thumb right above the fingerprint sensor on an otherwise dark screen. Also worth noting here is the fact that Google won’t be the first smartphone maker to offer this convenience.
I tried unlocking my OnePlus 13 and Samsung Galaxy S25 without waking up the screen, and it works just fine. Both devices are currently running Android 15, and notably, offer a faster fingerprint unlock experience compared to the Pixel 8, irrespective of whether the screen is on or off.
I’d like to point out that the screen-off fingerprint unlock system has arrived with a beta build, and Google might remove — or delay it — when the stable Android 16 update starts rolling out widely in the coming months.
For now, your only option to experience it is by enrolling in the Android 16 beta-testing program on a compatible Google Pixel smartphone. I would, however, recommend waiting out a few more weeks for the stable update to land on your Pixel smartphone, and save yourself the buggy mess of test builds.

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Google Pixel 10 leak is a warning shot for Apple to lift its iPhone game

Leaked render of Google Pixel 10.

Google’s Pixel phones have cultivated a solid reputation for their stunning camera chops. In 2025, Google might take things to the next level with the Pixel 10, edging past mainline iPhones in the process. As per a fresh leak, it seems the company’s next baseline flagship will take the zoom capture prowess to newer heights.

The folks over at Android Headlines (in collaboration with @OnLeaks) have shared alleged product renders of the upcoming Pixel 10, which shows a triple-lens camera array at the back. On the Pixel 10, buyers will be greeted by a dedicated telephoto zoom camera.

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Google Pixel 9 Pro XL.

With Apple, Samsung, and OnePlus releasing their initial rounds of new phones for 2025, attention is shifting to Google, which is expected to announce the Pixel 10 series in the coming months. Today, we have the first leaked images of one of these upcoming devices.

Images of the Pixel 10 Pro XL have been revealed courtesy of Android Headlines. This phone features a 6.8-inch display and is expected to resemble its predecessor, the Pixel 9 Pro XL. The leaked dimensions indicate that the new model will measure 162.7 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm, reflecting only a 0.1 mm difference in height compared to the existing model.