If navigating your Pixel device has become a struggle following the recent Android 16 update, you are certainly not alone. Numerous Pixel owners are experiencing issues that hinder their ability to interact with the latest version of Android, regardless of whether they prefer gesture controls or the traditional on-screen buttons.

According to Android Headlines, complaints have flooded various social media platforms and online forums, including X and Reddit. Users report that their navigation buttons have ceased to respond entirely, while others endure delays that can stretch to 30 seconds or even longer when attempting to press buttons. Additionally, many have problems with navigation gestures; for example, the founder of Android Police, Artem Russakovskii, noted that using the swipe-back gesture often fails to take the user back to their last app.

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Interestingly, this issue does not appear to impact the majority of Pixel users on Android 16. Reports from some users in the aforementioned forums indicate that their devices function superbly. For instance, one user mentioned their Pixel 9 Pro XL runs “remarkably smooth,” responding to a Pixel 6 user who declared theirs has become unresponsive.

Nonetheless, this issue is frustrating for those affected. Once upon a time, waiting for 30 seconds for a computer action felt normal. However, in today’s tech landscape, smartphones are expected to be fast, fluid, and reactive. Experiencing even minor delays can lead to poor user satisfaction, and encountering significant lags or non-responsive interfaces in 2025 is simply unacceptable.

Resolving Navigation Challenges on Pixel Devices

Currently, there is no official resolution for this concern. Nonetheless, insights gathered from forum discussions reveal several potential workarounds that may help restore your Pixel’s navigational functionality.

For example, the individual behind an original Reddit post expressed that changing their Android launcher resolved their issues. They reverted to the Pixel launcher from Nova, which was unexpected as they had relied on Nova for a decade without downtime. An additional comment noted similar issues with Nova, suggesting that it might be a compatibility concern between Nova and Android 16.

However, the problem seems to extend beyond just that launcher. A separate Pixel owner using the Pixel Launcher faced equivalent issues and shared their solution: To try and alleviate the glitches, users can pull down the navigation bar twice to access the settings icon located in the bottom right corner. From there, navigate to Apps > All apps > Pixel Launcher and select “Force Stop.”

Could this represent a broader issue concerning launchers in the Android 16 environment? It’s possible, but definitive answers will only emerge once Google provides an official statement. It’s promising to note that the PixelCommunity Reddit account has reached out to those affected, raising hopes for an upcoming fix.