Google fixes the back button problem on Pixel phones with the August update

Google has released its August 2025 software update for Pixel smartphones, addressing a widespread issue that caused back navigation gestures and buttons to become unresponsive.

The problem, introduced after the Android 16 update, particularly affected newer models like the Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 9 series.

What happened

Many Pixel users in Malaysia and around the world began noticing problems with their navigation controls shortly after upgrading to Android 16.

Both the gesture-based and traditional three-button navigation systems would occasionally freeze or take over 30 seconds to respond.

This issue has now been resolved with Google's August update, which is being rolled out to Pixel 6 and newer models.

What we could expect

The navigation bug first surfaced in June 2025 after Android 16 started rolling out to supported devices. Users reported that swiping to go back or tapping the back button would sometimes do nothing, or delay significantly before responding.

These issues made daily use frustrating and disrupted the overall user experience.

Google has since acknowledged the issue and bundled a fix into the August 2025 update. Alongside the navigation fix, the update includes general performance enhancements, system stability improvements, and a critical security patch to address a remote code execution vulnerability.

In the weeks leading up to this fix, some users attempted temporary workarounds—such as restarting their phones, switching back to the Pixel Launcher, or clearing launcher cache. While these steps sometimes helped briefly, the issue often returned.

Notably, Android 16 is still missing several anticipated features. Key updates like Material Expressive 3, Live Updates, and Desktop Windowing are expected later in the year.

Until those arrive, the current version feels more like a continuation of Android 15 than a major leap forward.

If you are a Pixel user affected by the back button or gesture navigation issues on Android 16, the August 2025 update should bring some much-needed relief.

Have you already installed the update? Did it fix the problem for you? Let us know your experience. Stay tuned to TechNave.com for more updates.