Google has officially released Android 16 stable for compatible Pixel devices this week. The update includes new features, performance enhancements, and the introduction of Expressive Material Design 3 into the user interface. However, it seems that some users have encountered an unexpected issue that is hindering their experience. Several Google Pixel device owners are reporting a significant bug: gestures and navigation buttons have become unresponsive or stuck.

This frustrating problem has been widely discussed across social media platforms like Reddit and X/Twitter. Users have shared their experiences of struggling to navigate their phones, with common actions like going back in an app, swiping home, or tapping buttons failing to work when expected. Many Pixel owners have found their navigation gestures and buttons freezing or becoming unresponsive for several seconds, which greatly disrupts phone usage. One user stated that their navigation buttons are entirely unresponsive or delayed by over 30 seconds, rendering their Pixel 8 Pro nearly unusable.

Others have described intermittent issues with swiping to return, which can be infuriating, especially when apps lack a dedicated back button in their UI. Additional complaints indicate that swiping gestures may not register properly or behave unpredictably. The delays can last as long as 30 seconds, making routine operations challenging and testing users’ patience with the device. While the problem is not universal among all Pixel phones, the number of reports is substantial enough to indicate a real concern.

Notably, even industry insiders like Android Police founder Artem Russakovskii are experiencing similar issues. Currently, Google has not acknowledged this bug, so it’s essential for affected users to report their experiences. Those facing unresponsive navigation buttons and gestures on their Android 16-powered Pixel devices should file a bug report via their device’s Settings menu to facilitate a quicker resolution from Google.