Pixel Phones Are Having a Fit With Their Lock Screens Thanks to Android 16

Key Takeaways:

Android 16 beta is causing lock screen bugs on Pixel phones

Common problems: freezing, fingerprint failures, flickering

Issues affect Pixel 6 through 8 series, plus Fold and Tablet

Workarounds include turning off fingerprint unlock and using PINs

Google has yet to acknowledge the issue officially

Google’s latest Android 16 beta update is creating more headaches than enhancements for many Pixel phone users. Reports are flooding in that the new update has introduced a slew of lock screen bugs — including flickering displays, unresponsive fingerprint sensors, delayed unlock animations, and in some cases, full system freezes.

The issues appear to primarily affect Pixel 6, Pixel 7, and Pixel 8 devices running the Android 16 developer or public beta builds.

Lock Screen Chaos

Dozens of users on Reddit, Pixel forums, and X (formerly Twitter) have voiced frustration after updating their devices. The problems range from simple glitches to frustrating usability issues.

“I literally have to press the power button five times before the screen lights up properly,” one Pixel 7 user posted. “Sometimes, the fingerprint scanner just won’t show at all.”

Some common complaints include:

Lock screen not waking properly

Fingerprint reader failing to appear

Clock widget overlapping with notifications

Swipe-to-unlock lagging or freezing

Face unlock intermittently working

In some extreme cases, users are forced to reboot their phones just to get past the lock screen — an issue that defeats the very purpose of having fast, secure access.

Android 16 Beta: More Bugs Than Features?

Android 16 was expected to bring under-the-hood optimizations and visual refinements ahead of its full release later this year. However, the buggy rollout has drawn criticism, especially as Pixel users have grown accustomed to using beta releases for early features.

“We know betas are experimental, but basic usability shouldn’t break,” said Alex H., a Pixel beta tester who’s been part of the program for three years.

The lock screen issues appear to have started after Beta 3, which launched late last month. Google hasn’t formally acknowledged the problem yet, though some users report that installing the latest Google Play System Update temporarily alleviates some of the lag.

Which Devices Are Affected?

The lock screen issues have been confirmed on:

Pixel 6 / 6 Pro

Pixel 7 / 7 Pro / 7a

Pixel 8 / 8 Pro

Beta testers on Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet also report occasional flickering or biometric delays.

What’s Causing It?

While Google has not issued an official explanation, Android analysts speculate that the problem may lie in changes to the system UI and biometric security layers. Android 16 introduces some new lock screen personalization features, such as:

Animated wallpapers

Custom clock layouts

Smart notification previews

Dynamic theming for the fingerprint scanner

It’s possible that one or more of these features are clashing with older Pixel firmware or third-party launchers.

What You Can Do

If you're affected, here are a few temporary fixes:

Update your Pixel to the latest security patch and Google Play services

Disable fingerprint unlock temporarily if it fails frequently

Avoid setting animated or custom wallpapers on the lock screen

Switch to PIN or pattern unlock

Leave the beta program (note: this will factory reset your phone)

Google typically releases monthly beta patches, so a fix could arrive as early as next week.

What’s Next?

Android 16 is still in development, with an expected full release in October 2025, likely alongside the Pixel 9 lineup. Given the current backlash, Google is expected to prioritize stability fixes before rolling out any more flashy features.

Pixel owners are hopeful that Google will respond soon with a hotfix or workaround to restore reliable lock screen functionality.