- After the October 2025 security update, many Google Pixel 10 and 10 Pro users report that all their apps started freezing, crashing, or refusing to load, effectively crippling their phones [1] [2].
- The culprit appears to be a conflict with Google Play Services. An Android developer, Artem Russakovskii, traced the bug to the latest Play Services update and found that uninstalling that update temporarily stops the crashes [3] [4].
- Users have found a crude workaround — uninstalling the Google Play Services (and Play Store) updates — but this logs them out of all Google accounts and only works briefly [5] [6].
- Google has now deployed a server-side fix. According to Digital Trends, Russakovskii confirmed that “the Pixel hanging/crashing apps bug is now fixed” as of mid-October [7]. Google is said to have marked the issue “high priority” and multiple teams worked on it [8].
- Separately, owners of older Pixel 6 and 6 Pro phones were surprised to find that their devices were not included in the October update at all [9] [10]. Google quietly extended Pixel 6 support through 2026, but has not committed to strict monthly patches.
Pixel 10’s October Update Sparks Widespread App Crashes
This October’s Android patch (for Android 16) turned into a headache for many Pixel 10 owners. Tech outlets report that almost immediately after installing the update, dozens of users took to Reddit and forums saying “all apps have started to crash randomly or just get stuck at the splash screen” [11] [12]. In other words, basic tasks became impossible: one Pixel 10 Pro owner complained that even if an app opened, “it won’t let me touch anything and it crashes” [13]. The problem seems especially common on the Pro models, though standard Pixel 10 phones were also affected. (Other recent Pixels were largely spared.) PhoneArena calls this “one of the worst Pixel 10 bugs yet,” noting that apps of all kinds — games, social media, utilities — were randomly freezing, hanging, or refusing to launch [14]. Such a pervasive software failure on a brand-new $800+ phone is rare and infuriating for users.
The (Suspected) Cause: Google Play Services Clash
Investigations quickly pointed to Google Play Services. As 9to5Google reports, APKMirror founder Artem Russakovskii “was able to track the crash to Google Play Services” [15]. Essentially, the October OS update and the latest Play Services/Play Store updates were stepping on each other. Digital Trends confirms this analysis: “The reason behind the random crashes…was a conflict between the Google Play Services and the October Android OS update.” [16]. In practical terms, an updated Play Services component was triggering app failures. This explains why no single app or developer was at fault – even Google’s own system service was misbehaving.
Workarounds: Crude Fixes and Big Cautions
A few enterprising users discovered a stopgap fix: roll back the Google Play Services update. As one Reddit user explained, uninstalling the Play Services and Play Store updates “signs you out of your Google account(s) on your phone” but immediately stops the crashes [17]. In other words, reverting to the factory version of Play Services made apps work again – at least for a while. However, this is a drastic measure. It can prevent important functions (banking apps, email, etc.) from working and forces you to log back into everything [18] [19]. PhoneArena notes that even this hack only buys a few hours before the issue resurfaces and apps start failing again [20]. In short, there’s no easy permanent workaround for end users – the real fix has to come from Google.
Google’s Response: Server-Side Fix Incoming
For the first few days after the bug emerged, Google offered no public comment. Android Authority advised users to “hold off” on the update if possible [21]. However, behind the scenes Google moved quickly. Multiple reports (including Google engineers cited by Russakovskii) indicate the issue was marked high priority and a fix was under development [22]. By October 13, news broke that Google had rolled out a silent, server-side patch. Digital Trends reported that Russakovskii “got news that Google thinks the Pixel hanging/crashing apps bug is now fixed” [23]. In other words, Google adjusted something on its backend (likely disabling or patching the offending code in Play Services) so that Pixel 10 phones should resume normal app operation. Indeed, affected users began reporting that apps were working again without manual intervention. Android Police founder Russakovskii later confirmed that the bulk of Pixel 10 users should now be free of the problem [24]. Still, the episode has shaken confidence. As PhoneArena bluntly puts it: “this is a catastrophic issue that should never happen on a new mobile device costing…$800, $1,000, or more” [25].
Pixel 6/6 Pro Update Delay Fuels Concerns
While Pixel 10 users scrambled, a separate surprise hit the Pixel 6 crowd. On October 9, Google published its monthly Pixel security bulletin – but noticeably left out the 2021 Pixel 6 and 6 Pro models. Droid-Life’s Kellen Kailey notes that the official update announcement listed support from Pixel 7 through Pixel 10, but made no mention of the Pixel 6 series [26]. In fact, PhoneArena reported bluntly that “this update will not be pushed out to the 2021 Pixel line” – meaning the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro were skipped [27]. This was very unusual: until now Google had been delivering updates monthly to the Pixel 6 family, even after its original three-year support window would have ended. (Google quietly promised an extra two years of updates back in 2024 [28].)
Why the skip? Kailey details a troubling pattern: the Pixel 6 series didn’t get the July 2025 patch and only a holdover August build (the June patch) in August, while the cheaper Pixel 6a and newer Pixels got up-to-date fixes [29]. Then in September, Google did send Android 16 QPR1 to all including the 6 models, bringing them current — only to ignore them again in October [30]. The October bulletin itself didn’t even list Pixel 6/6 Pro. Pixel 6 owners were left wondering if these phones are being deprioritized as they near end-of-life.
Google Reassures Pixel 6 Owners of Continued Support
Google has since clarified that Pixel 6 and 6 Pro will continue to receive security patches – just not necessarily on a strict monthly schedule. In a statement to Droid-Life, Google said “Pixel phones will remain security compliant for the full duration of their support windows” and that devices will get updates through the Android Security Bulletin and regular “Pixel Drops” [31]. In other words, the company promises to honor the 5-year update promise it made: Pixel 6 (released in 2021) is guaranteed 5 years of OS and security updates, but Google no longer commits to pushing every patch monthly. As Kailey notes, Google’s official policy simply says Pixel 6 “will get updates for 5 years” [32], without specifying cadence. For now, Google’s words should reassure owners that critical fixes will arrive, but it’s advising patience. Pixel 6 users may not see a formal October build, but further patches (or roll-ups) could come later in the month or via an upcoming “Pixel Drop.”
Outlook and Advice for Pixel Users
The Pixel 10 crash crisis appears to be behind us — Google’s fix is now in place and users report normal app behavior resumed. But the incident is a stark reminder that even premium flagship phones can ship with bugs. Meanwhile, Pixel 6 owners should keep devices updated and hope any outstanding security fixes arrive soon. Tech analysts suggest waiting a few days before installing new updates in case last-minute bugs are found. As one journalist warned, these problems are “annoying to the early adopters and loyal Pixel users alike” [33] [34]. Going forward, Google will likely be scrutinized for both quality control on the Pixel 10 and clarity in its support schedule for older models. In any case, Google’s swift patch for the Pixel 10 crash issue shows it is listening — but Pixel fans will want smoother sailing when the next update rolls out.
Sources: Verified reports from Android Authority, 9to5Google, PhoneArena, Digital Trends, Droid-Life, and Google’s own statements [35] [36] [37] [38] [39] [40].
References
1. www.androidauthority.com, 2. www.phonearena.com, 3. 9to5google.com, 4. www.digitaltrends.com, 5. www.androidauthority.com, 6. www.digitaltrends.com, 7. www.digitaltrends.com, 8. 9to5google.com, 9. www.droid-life.com, 10. www.phonearena.com, 11. www.androidauthority.com, 12. www.phonearena.com, 13. www.phonearena.com, 14. www.phonearena.com, 15. 9to5google.com, 16. www.digitaltrends.com, 17. www.androidauthority.com, 18. www.androidauthority.com, 19. www.digitaltrends.com, 20. www.phonearena.com, 21. www.androidauthority.com, 22. 9to5google.com, 23. www.digitaltrends.com, 24. www.digitaltrends.com, 25. www.phonearena.com, 26. www.droid-life.com, 27. www.phonearena.com, 28. www.droid-life.com, 29. www.droid-life.com, 30. www.droid-life.com, 31. www.droid-life.com, 32. www.droid-life.com, 33. www.digitaltrends.com, 34. www.phonearena.com, 35. www.androidauthority.com, 36. 9to5google.com, 37. www.phonearena.com, 38. www.phonearena.com, 39. www.droid-life.com, 40. www.digitaltrends.com
