The arrival of a new major Android release typically brings about excitement and anticipation, but the Android 14 appeared to be the exception,
Initially praised by Pixel 6 and 7 users, the latest OS became a mere disappointment after some users said that they experienced internal storage problems with the update.
Unforeseen Storage Problems Emerge on Pixel 6
While overheating and battery drain concerns remain absent, some Pixel 6 users have encountered a significant issue-a loss of access to their phone's internal storage and the files stored within. This unanticipated problem has left them unable to retrieve essential data.
According to 9to5Mac, some users grappled with the inability to download data to their devices. Even attempts to free up storage space via the Files app have proven futile. All categories, including Downloads, Images, Videos, Audio, and Documents, display a storage usage of zero, rendering the app ineffective.
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App Crashes and Misleading Notifications
Other affected users, though not locked out of their device's storage, have experienced random app crashes and misleading "storage is full" notifications. Ironically, these notifications surface despite the device possessing ample free space.
Investigations into this issue reveal a common thread among affected Pixel 6 owners-the presence of multiple user profiles. Attempts to reproduce the bug on a Pixel 6a device resulted in multiple crashes and a "System UI isn't responding" error, showing the potential link between the bug and multiple profiles. This was included in a report by The Verge's Umar Shakir.
Solution For Android 14 Problem on Pixel 6
For those struggling with a loss of access to their storage, a temporary workaround is to switch to the secondary profile. While this provides limited device usability, it comes at the cost of losing access to apps and files associated with the primary profile, according to Android Police.
As such, periodic Android phone backups are highly recommended to preempt unforeseen complications.
A Reddit thread indicates that reaching out to Google support may not yield a satisfactory solution, with support staff suggesting booting the device into safe mode-an ineffective measure in this case.
Strangely, Pixel 7 users appear to remain unscathed by this issue. If you are a Pixel 6 owner with multiple user profiles, it is advisable to defer the Android 14 update until Google acknowledges and addresses the problem, which it has yet to do.
Factory Reset as a Last Resort
For those locked out of their Pixel 6's storage, a factory reset seems to be the only available recourse at present. However, this approach is viable only if the device contains no critical files. If this is not applicable, the last thing you can do is wait for Google's announcement about its fix.
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