Google Pixel smartphones are once again facing issues due to a storage bug. Multiple users took to Reddit to report that they were unable to access data kept on internal storage after installing the latest January 2024 Google Play system update. Users also reported that the bug was causing other problems including crashing apps, inability to play music or videos and making the phone camera inaccessible.

How the bug is affecting Pixel users

Several users facing problems with their phones have drawn similarities to the Android 14 multiple profile update bug that affected Pixel devices in October 2023.
A Reddit user named Liv-lyf said, “The symptoms are all the same. Internal storage not getting mounted, camera crashes, Files app shows no files, screenshots not getting saved, internal storage shows up empty in ADB Shell, etc.”
The bug has been reported across Google Pixel 5, 6, 7, 8, and Fold series devices. However, not every Pixel user who has installed the latest January 2024 Play update has experienced problems; also the update hasn’t been widely rolled out yet.

Users can check which version their Pixel device is running by heading to the Settings app > Security & privacy > System & updates option. Users who are still running on the November 2023 version on their Android phones are advised to avoid updating until the issues are resolved.
Moreover, Android expert Mishaal Rahman also took to Meta’s micro-blogging platform Threads to reveal that Google has paused the January 2024 update while it investigates the bug.
Currently, there’s no effective workaround for these latest issues. Some users noted that the issues didn’t appear after they reset their impacted devices to factory settings.

What Google has to say

In a statement to 9to5Google, the tech giant said that it’s “aware of this issue and are looking into it.” Google was able to fix a similar bug last October within a few days via a software update. However, some users needed to use a specialised Pixel Repair Tool to prevent their devices from constantly rebooting.